DM-Absolution][
Map Info
	File Name dm-absolution2.zip Author {DvT}Sapient6 Gametype UT2k3 Deathmatch Date Added 12-13-2002 File Version 1.00 File Size 2.74 mb Player Count 4-10 Map Description Team DM oriented map. Lower detail to encourage a more open style of play. Review Rating 4.5 User Rating 8 Overall Rating 5.5
Review
Reviewer Shock6822 Awe Score:  1.5/3 Date 01-08-2003 Build Score:  1.5/3 Review Schema Cast Score:  1.5/3 User Point:  +1 Overall Score:  5.5/10 DM-Absolution][ is apparently a remake of one of the authors maps for UT. The theme isnt anything special, and although Sapient6 has included custom textures and static meshes which is laudable, I find that this still doesnt result in anythiing eye catching. In fact, the lighting seemed a little washed out in parts, and it just wasnt...dynamic enough. I didnt notice any noteworthy sounds either. The bots actually work well throughout most of the map, although the author mentions the bots dont jump to the Keg, which is true. I played with translocator on after, however, and they did indeed tranny over to the Keg, which makes me believe this could be fixed. Maybe a lift or teleport or something could work. I didnt see any HOMs or glaring errors of that sort, so kudos to Sapient on that one. The author also mentions a couple other bugs, such as the bots not going for the amp. I can validate this (do I need to?), as not one bot annoyed be with that purple glow :P. He also mentions there is a bug with online play, but I didnt test out online play. There are teleports in some parts of the map, and they work fine and you face the right way when teleporting, so no problems there. As for gameplay, I felt scaling could have been adjusted. I hit the ceiling on numerous occasions, one memorable one being hitting a light fixture and missing the RL platform and jumping right into two fighting bots. That doesnt help the flow. The map also felt a bit cramped in many places, though there are slightly open areas with z-axis thrown in and all for good measure. Performance wise, the map is buttah. I dont think I dipped below 40 fps even in firefights with my GF4ti4200, so Im pretty sure anyone who can run 2k3 can run this map pretty easily. Item placement didnt really seem strategic or anything, although the author didnt do the typical weapon with two ammo packs laying right beside it. Instead, the ammo packs are strew about the map, although they are still in packs of two. The author suggests using the map for team DM, but again, the same mishaps apply regardless of gametype. Although the map is nothing flashy and the flow could use a little more polishing, anyone looking for a map that runs great and can be fun for a bit should check it out. Definitely not one for the ownage books or anything memorable, however.
Map Comments
Firefly 12-13-2002 06:24 PM MST Rating: 6   enjoyable blast but not enough detail. surely team dm needs stuff to hide behind to allow for covering fire etc. DM is fine for a short while. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad map. it just needs more detail. Mind you, that does mean that low speccers should have no proplems running this. good but not great {DvT}JonahHex 01-14-2003 05:41 PM MST Rating: 9   This map is one of the best flowing maps that has been produced for the Unreal series. Absolution doesn't require hiding places, the attention to flow in the map means there's always someplace for you to run and someplace for a teammate to come in from. Spamming cover fire in a proper 100% FF TDM game doesn't work anyway. You bump your head going for the rocket launcher? Good! I'd rather you didn't have it, since I know how to get it without missing the jump to it. No tricks, it's just a matter of paying attention. The eyecandy is lacking...if this is a problem for you, please look me up on the servers...I LOVE people that stop to gawk at the scenery in the middle of a fire-fight. The somewhat plain textures result in good, but more importantly, relatively stable, framerates. Absolution in UT2K3 is not gained by strolling through a museum; you have to fight for it. If there's a problem with Absolution2, it is the bot's preoccupation with getting the amp at the higher skill levels; and they don't know enough to use the shield to minimize their damage through the slime to the amp, so they die getting to it more than is necessary. A couple of run-throughs with low-level bots for review purposes doesn't do Absolution2 justice. Play it online.