DM-Knell
Map Info
	File Name dm-knell.zip Author Mambo Gametype UT Deathmatch Date Added 01-28-2003 File Version 1.00 File Size 2.43 mb Player Count 2-6 Map Description None Review Rating 8 User Rating 7.5 Overall Rating 8
Review
Reviewer Frieza Awe Score:  3.0/3 Date 01-04-2004 Build Score:  2.5/3 Review Schema Cast Score:  2.5/3 User Point:  0 Overall Score:  8/10 Download first, read after. This is an example of a map doing almost everything right, and doesn’t fail at any point. It really made my day and is without doubt one of the best maps I ever played. It isn’t a wonder when you look at the authors of this map. A joint coöperation by Nick “Neoduckâ€� Donaldson (From DM-1on1-Augustmoon, and also the UT2k3 version AugustNoon, which recently won the first prize in the Make Something Unreal Contest Phase 1) and Sam “Mamboâ€� Sutton (From the LongestYard series and DM-M’arklar). To kick off with the architecture. The authors created a beautifuly looking gothic environment high up in the mountains. Outside environments show one of the best skyboxes I’ve ever seen, a little graveyard, a beautiful little waterfall and a clock swinging constantly. On the inside there is a huge range of arches, a custom lion mesh (Also shown on one of the screenshots), windows, wooden supports. Great work overall. The lighting is really outstanding. Beams of sunlight shining through the windows, a diverse range of lanterns giving of blue and orange lights, it really enhances the architecture creating a great atmosphere overall. There’s nothing wrong with the texturing also. Great use of the shanechurch textures, and no misalignments. The gameplay is possibly even better then the architecture. The flow of this map is in one word awesome. In every room you have atleast 3 ways to go and sometimes even more. Some good z-axis play and lots of drop-down possibilities. One little point here though is that the narrow walkways inside sometimes make it hard to navigate without falling off, but after a while you get the hang of it. Same goes for Item placement. The weapons are well spaced out and ammo is scattered through out the arena. Health is abundant and the special items are at places that are hard to discover. Hence I found the Udamage by accident while shooting at a bot. Unfortunately the bots never get the items. Bots play extremely well, except for the above-mentioned. And this map is suitable for either 1 v 1 play or 2 v 2. The maximum playercount given by the authors was 6, but this could get a little bit spammy. The sound has been done extremely well. All the ambientsounds create a wide soundscape to enjoy and they also enhance the atmosphere. The music is standard UT, which mildly fits the map. I would’ve liked to see some custom music here! Conclusion: This map rocks! Get it while it’s hot. It’s almost impossible to say anything negative about it! Awe: 3.0 Build: 2.5 Cast: 2.5
Map Comments
Smeerkat 01-31-2003 10:47 PM MST Rating: 6   I downloaded this map because it's the same author as DM-LongestYard][. A very nice looking map, with a mix of indoor and outdoor fighting. The constant ambient sounds (the bell, the water) were annoying though. Worth downloading. Cursed 02-07-2003 02:43 AM MST Rating: 8   Lol, the authors are 2 of my best friends so for me its really hard 2 give good comments and not get neo and mambo on my bad side :D i know how much efford you 2 put into knell, and sometimes wanted to give up on the map becouse it sucked :P well im glad u 2 finished the map, i know what u 2 can do when it comes 2 mapping, and this knell only shows the tip of the mountain called 1337. i always told you 2 that the continues bells anoyed me a bit, and i wish i could shoot down that bell. but it does give the needed extra fx and atmoshpere. the map is really solid but you 2 know that uncle cursey doesnt like cramped spots, and knell is just that :) the map fits a 1on1 perfectly but the underwater powerup might be a little hard 2 get when the gameplay is such fast paced. even the low level bots could kick my a s s on this map becouse no mather what you try, they found a way 2 get me. when running trough this small map you got the feeling the map is way bigger than it actually is, thats becouse every room has a lot of ways out, and not 2 mention the elevators. these 2 mappers worked for a long time on this map, trying 2 make it more solid every time, and imho they did just that. ive seen more of your guys work and i know you can do better than this. if you love tight fast paced 1on1 maps (smallllllll 1 on 1 map) this map surely fits into your collection :) now i just hope neo and mambo wont kill me :D if it was just me, i would have given it a 7. but becouse i know you people im gonna give u 1 point extra ;) hey im like a real reviewer :D giving people that i know extra points. Homeslice 02-01-2004 07:04 PM MST Rating: 8   Dudes, killer map. It's another reason UT is still around today - it's great maps like these. Good work, both of ya (Mambo n' Neoduck)! EDIT: Wow, I am very surprised this isn't in the hotlist. It's that good. dabomb 10-30-2003 07:59 PM MST Rating: 8   Good map !! Ya Naomi u know your hot ,just sy it!! LOL Fuzzy Logic 01-04-2004 07:42 PM MST Rating: 8   Gameplay is so good on this map I didn't get chance to look at the scenery! Had too many bots in there though ;) Having been fragged to bits and gone 3 down in just a few seconds I had to wake up and fight real hard to win. Fun map - d/l it now! neoduck 01-04-2004 08:59 PM MST Rating: 7   thanx for the review! i honestly didnt expect that much, as this map was primarily a big experiment with the "churcy-ancient" kinda theme. the map kind of evolved from 1 room, slowly what it is now. mambo ---> u rock dude! :P thanks again Frieza 01-05-2004 01:55 AM MST Rating: 8   This is a great map, dont think to low of yourself :P _Unreal_ 01-05-2004 01:42 PM MST Rating: 7   Strange... well, the architecture is great, no question, this map is one of the rare, well done ShaneChurch Maps. Nice details, combined with atmospheric lighting and the sounds give the map a unique touch... But the map has one huge problem: The gameflow is terrible, many corridors are too small, there are no chances to dodge... The ponds are a good idea, but in hot fights , you trap into them, and unfortunately you need time to get out! Scaling up the whole map is needed. TheSpoonDog 01-05-2004 04:19 PM MST Rating: 8   Yea, map looks nice, well made, and a good custom sky to top it off. It is however, a bit cramped and spammy, but still fun. I had to shock-ho and Tamerlane still beat me by 1 frag with 5 bots :P mambo 01-06-2004 12:50 AM MST Rating: 7   thanks heaps for the review and the comments everyone. thanks more to neoduck - you rule dude. ps. for those who think the map is too small, wait for our next one ;) paranoid 01-07-2004 10:56 AM MST Rating: 7   I remember playing this a while ago. . .and back then i feel in love. . .seeing it reviewed, i d/led it again trying to "recapture the memories" but it left me wanting more. It is a little small. . .but it's connectivity makes up for it. . .and i agree with a comment somewhere above, it definatley is one of the better shanechurch maps (cept for dom-repentance.) Lighting is quite nice, actually very good. The sounds (like the bell) edge on your nerves but then you did pick a church like structure to fight in. . .lets live with it :P The thing i dislike the most would have to be the skybox. . .you can see the edges in it and it looks too low res and fugly. But at least it is something different. It could have worked if that "teeny" bit more care had been applied to it. Overall a quite good looking, small DM map ;) Reciprocity 01-07-2004 06:40 PM MST Rating: 8   Bravo. spartanthree 01-21-2004 01:12 PM MST Rating: 7   Rooms are a little small and the bell drove me crazy, but overall I like it. Especially liked the graveyard but if you made the pools and tunnels a little bigger you could have some nice underwater action. Nice job! Eddy Merckx "The Ripper" 01-27-2004 05:36 AM MST Rating: 6   just a common map nice but nothing really special about it mangan }swe{ 01-28-2004 03:34 PM MST Rating: 8   this map is just so cool it has got great details and the greates skybox ever seen the graveyard was verry nice good joob guys OutlawScott 01-29-2004 07:18 PM MST Rating: 10   Hehe....for this excellent of a level...im speechless Manticore 10-22-2004 10:36 PM MDT Rating: 7   In my opinion this map should be 1/1 in that it's really a bit cramped for much else. Construction is solid and makes good use of DM-Gothic elements. Lighting is well thought through and implemented. Great skybox, very nice......... TroAdoR 12-20-2005 10:43 PM MST Rating: 9   Very good map and very well done. very fun, but the bell sound was a bit annoying.