DM-Betalus
Map Info
	File Name dm-betalus.zip Author Soma The Real Gametype UT2k3 Deathmatch Date Added 07-24-2003 File Version 1.00 File Size 1.04 mb Player Count 2-6 Map Description Small-medium sized Antalus style DM map with plenty of opportunities for great tactical gameplay. It has a fairly simple layout you'll learn very fast and let you focus on the battle. DD down the center cave, 100 on a rock on a difficult to reach position, 50 on the opposite side down a low pit high risk area. This map is designed for fast and furious gameplay for 2-6 players. Good fly! -- Storyline: Betalus was a secret training place of the Gen Mo'Kai, to improve their fighting abilities during the Tournament seasons. But due to a misspell of one of the warriors, the place got discovered by the other clans and was forgotten over the years. Recovered by one of the most famous warrior, Betalus became a very popular fighting place for the Tournaments. Review Rating 5.5 User Rating 7 Overall Rating 6.5
Review
Reviewer Qualthwar Awe Score:  1.5/3 Date 03-21-2004 Build Score:  2.0/3 Review Schema Cast Score:  2.0/3 User Point:  +1 Overall Score:  6.5/10 I’m updating this review, because I feel my original review was unfair and callus. I mentioned that either the map was a DM-Antalus rip-off, i.e., the author used Antalus as a base for his work, or that the map showed no originality. Since then, the author has demonstrated to me that the map was of his own creation, however, I still feel as though it is unoriginal; too close to Antalus in many respects. For saying that it might be a rip-off, I’m sorry; for saying that it’s not original enough for my liking, I stand my ground. When you spawn on a map and say, ‘dang it’ I clicked on the wrong map; back out and try again and say, ‘what’s going on’ I clicked on the wrong map again, that should send up a red flag. In other words, my initial reaction was that I was clicking on Antalus, not Betalus. However, the author says that the goal of the map was to make Betalus an extension of Antalus, so to speak. So now the question becomes: Is the map worth all the trouble to download, or should you just stick with the original, since they are so similar? You’ll have to be the judge of that. If you like Antalus and would like to try it with a twist then here’s your chance. Betalus does have some nuances that are appealing, while clinging to some of the fine aspects of Antalus. Since the maps are so similar, I'll leave it up to you to discover the subtle differences. If I mention them here, the impetus to download the map may be lost.
Map Comments
SuperApe 03-23-2004 03:48 PM MST Rating: 8   11-13-2003 03:04 PM EST Awe: 2.1 Awe lost points because the inner chamber just didn't quite match the look of the rest of the map and for minor particle clunkyness inside the lifts, but it does feel like a smaller Antalus. I love the subtle sounds. Build: 2.6 Build lost points because of untidy railings on the bridges (that could get players briefly stuck), the sky is shootable, and (intentional or not, I dunno) the default gameType was set to Mutant; so if you launch by double-clicking the map, you'll play Mutant. However, the bot navigation and play is very good and the map is solid. Cast: 2.8 Cast lost points because I wanted a little more shield power ups and the double damage became too critical to winning; too central on the map. And because I thought it strange to call it a secret and undiscovered place, yet it looks like it's right next door to Antalus and down the street from Tokara Forest. ;) That said, this map plays very, very well. Mutant or not. The fact that it's small (filesize) is a bonus. Overall: 7.5 -> round up to 8. 03-22-2004 12:47 AM EST Edit for Qualthwar: Um, does that review score reflect what's in the map or your apparent anger? "Since I was the same reviewer who just checked out and reviewed a map by you that was far inferior to this one, do you really believe that I think this map was made from scratch by you?" I was the one who requested your review here, not the author. 03-22-2004 04:16 PM EST Further Edit: "Note: Review may be changed pending investigation. -Qualthwar" Nice. Would you mind revisiting DM-Base Ick while you're at it? Last Edit (I hope): I'm waiting for the part where you actually review that dang thing! Didn't the author make it clear this an Antalus-style map? The name gives you the clue. I have two things to say: 1) There are plently of Epic map examples that are of the same theme; they are not lacking because of it. 2) I personally believe that it takes skill to follow said theme with this level of competence. The gameplay does indeed rock, Soma. You go! brighteyes 12-28-2003 10:01 AM MST Rating: 8   Totally agree with you 'SuperApe'. This map has a really natural, peaceful feel as if it is alive and breathing. Download and play now! (I even think it comes close to Antalus!) Soma The Real 03-23-2004 03:00 PM MST   Hey Qualthwar what's wrong with you? I got no clue what you're talking about. UT2002? Demo Map? This map is originally created by me from scratch. I originally created the layout and height map from a sketch I still have and I just used textures and statics that come with the game. "Since I was the same reviewer who just checked out and reviewed a map by you that was far inferior to this one, do you really believe that I think this map was made from scratch by you?" What are you talking about??? Edit: Thanks Qualthwar for rewriting the review! I really appreciate it. I know it might be visually unoriginal and inspired by Antalus, but imo it's still a masterpiece gameplaywise, if you got the skills ;). darth_weasel 03-22-2004 07:53 PM MST   it doesnt use a "UT2002" (whatever that is) map as a base or rip off a layout of one, but it is indistinguishable from antalus in looks, it shares 98% of its graphics, so the only thing you can score on originality is the layout.im not rating it because i dont personally like terrain maps so my score might be unfair. *edit* Sicko Teddy, read my comment. i said it doesnt rip off the layout of another map yournan 03-22-2004 10:58 AM MST Rating: 6   Nice map, looking bare through could have been a lot more terrain in there along with water. Bots also get stuck in that dead end bit as well. I think the reviewer is totally nuts, he hasn't even reviewed the map and is talking about good will hunting, something wrong there and a very under rated and plain stupidly draft review score. Sorry reviewer i think you did a bad job on this one, Somba however did the opposite, i good job. A map that will always be welcome on my h/d MsM Sicko Teddy 04-07-2004 02:44 PM MDT Rating: 7   Most of the Comments up there + Review sound childish= they never downloaded the map nor played it. One guy say "98% of graphics same as antalantus"or" rip off layout"LOL. it's not. The layout is alot more spread up, and more wide open. Yes, the underground looks like UT1 style, but outside is nice. I wish you add the Bulldog spawner, so the terrain would be alot more fun to play! (well bots are stupid trhough! They never tend to get into Bulldog and use it)Oh well, you could say that the bulldogs are for internet game. OH OH- SORRY Dart_Weasel-- YOU SAY DOESN"T rip off (: I missed that word because you didn't put the APOSTROPHY between N and T . LOL. SRY again.. :P :P :P EDIT2 hey Author, extend that map and convert it into ONS- AND WHY NOT?? Player 03-22-2004 02:55 PM MST Rating: 7   6.5 actually. More inanaties in reviewer comments. The map isn't a ripoff, it is original even it does (like most maps) use the same standard meshes and textures in a very similar style as another map (antalus in this case). Resident 03-22-2004 03:04 PM MST Rating: 7   Wow. I have to say that this review has surprised me. Yeah, it's true that the map is very close to the Antalus atmosphere, but I think this map is quite good. I've played it a lot since it was released and got a lot of fun with it. I think is a good effort, maybe not very original, but I enjoyed it much. GRAF1K 03-22-2004 07:24 PM MST Rating: 8   At first glance, I thought the author's screenies were Antalus. I did a double-take and saw that it only looked like Antalus, yet with more cover and better Z-axis. Nice work. D-7 03-28-2004 06:22 AM MST Rating: 7   Nice one. Mutant is quite cool on this one. I like soma's more 'mature' work(s) better, but this one's good, too. I don't care if it looks sililar to Antalus, I like that one, too. :-) 6.5 from me, because it hasn't got too much (if any) custom content, and some tiny bugs here&there, but it deserves a 7. slaskan 04-05-2004 10:55 AM MDT Rating: 6   really nice map but there was something missing... maybe it was that its not as open as i would have wanted it nicer than average maps though Manticore 04-07-2004 06:13 AM MDT Rating: 6   Had it for ages, played it.... It's ok..... Wesley "Boreas" van Dijk 11-04-2005 06:43 AM MST Rating: 7.5   Though far inferior to your latest work, this definitely is worth a look... Kantham 11-04-2005 08:38 AM MST   I think it is the best "Antalus-themed map" so far still, but we all get pissed of these textures and meshes.