CTF-BridgeXL
Map Info
	File Name ctf-bridgexl.zip Author tranzcoder Gametype UT2k3 Capture The Flag Date Added 12-26-2002 File Version 1.00 File Size 4.61 mb Player Count Unknown Map Description None Review Rating 5 User Rating 4 Overall Rating 4.0
Review
Reviewer Twrecks Awe Score:  2.0/3 Date 01-21-2003 Build Score:  1.5/3 Review Schema Cast Score:  1.5/3 User Point:  -1 Overall Score:  4.0/10 And there's this bridge see... A stock concept map of parallel routes, over and under the bridge. A flag alcove comprises the bases with a coupla Teleports to higher ground. Below is your Deemer cage accessed through the t-portin sewer duct outside and magic inside. The side tower and terrain ledge provide death from above. The rocky perch comes complete with a Lighning gun which the Tower sadly lacks. No means of switching routes is available (like a stair well, or two) and the run will be flat out using your team mates as cover or dodging your way backwards home. Several things are amiss with this map. First would be the Deemer basements are flipped in relation to which you end up in, under the bridge on the red side pops you beneath the blue base and vice-a-versa. Always try to match both ends of your teleporters to look the same, much overlooked, always appriciated. Second, the skybox is ripped from DM-Phobos2 and does not fit the setting. Next, three terrain maps are used to push the triangle count past the limits of most rigs abilities to render at a decent FPS. The tree line atop the canyon could also have been done with a masked texture instead of even more polys. Remember you can invisible out unseen triangle on your terrain and theres a reason most terrain maps are only 128x128. Another would be bot pathing, alternate routes require higher AI to make work, tasty items wont shorten the distance in a bots eye. Fith or so would be placement, the tall towers seem a logical place for the lightning guns, not miniguns that already appear ground level. If the ledges had been half as high Rocket launchers would have been better put there than over the alcoves which is perfect Snot or Flak territory, an extra room to spawn here might get it some traffic. Link and Assault rifles fit the bases better IMO. The Shock Rifle is the correct choice opposite the minigun. The Shock Rifle being the more tech weapon house near the lower floor of the Tower was good, inside the tower would have been even better. Items on the lower level of the bridge are the random variety, starting with the U-damage and Super Health. Again a central way to cross paths might have used these items as bait more effectively, instead they get grabbed by under-handed players sneaking a covered appraoch to an enemys bot patrolled base. Last would be the lighting if it wasnt for the complete lack of blocking volumes. Blocking volumes will help frame rates during fire fights as it simlifies hit traces to include fewer polys. On lighting, sourcing was okay for the most part, care should be applied to brightness levels and radii. Dynamic lights also take their toll on the FPS, they should be used sparingly and allowed to fall on a minimal number of surfaces as not to adversely effect rendering times. Some color would be nice to catch a relation to its source, if a lamp has a brown or yellow edge a little color saturation goes a long way. I dont usually go into as much depth on suggestions for improvement or righting wrongs as it gets repetative with more reviews. This map I feel is worth commenting on and shows promise. Dont expect as much on learning maps as there is way too much to cover, but if the author follows through on even a few of my observations will raise this map above the average score it has been given. Good to play on lower resolutions/settings for the above reasons, attack en-mass or use the bottom route while your bots defend.
Map Comments
SealClubber 01-22-2003 07:59 PM MST Rating: 5   This map was a remake of the UT map CTF-Bridge, this person did a good job of re-creating it :) siDDis 01-26-2003 07:25 PM MST Rating: 2   wow... no credits xanadu 07-25-2003 04:16 AM MDT Rating: 6   This is a pretty good map all the fragin takes place mostly on the bridge i found it sorta difficult to return the flag back to my base since theres no cover watsoever on the bridge and thats good i like a nice challenge this mapper can only get better my suggistion to him is if you put a sniper tower please please make it so the bots actually use them