DM-TensileSteel
Map Info
	File Name dm-cbp2-tensilesteel.zip Author LruceBee Gametype UT2k4 Deathmatch Date Added 08-23-2004 File Version 1.00 File Size 17.84 mb Player Count 8 - 12 Map Description None Review Rating 6.5 User Rating 7.5 Overall Rating 7.5	No level screenshot available.
Review
Reviewer Mister_Prophet Awe Score:  1.5/3 Date 02-20-2005 Build Score:  2.5/3 Review Schema Cast Score:  2.5/3 User Point:  +1 Overall Score:  7.5/10 Lruce Bee was the author of DM-Victoria, an early favorite when UT2003 first came around the bend. Tensile Steel is made in similar tradition, though times have changed abit since then. Victoria was released and reviewed in a period of time when there simpy wasn't alot of BIG community maps around and most people only played mostly lame stock maps that shipped with UT2003. This map, which is alot like Victoria in looks and gameplay, is competing in a maturing mapping community. Given the fact that the Community Bonus Pack 2 has been out for awhile, I played this map when it was released and am reviewing it now only in light of the fact that it is the highest ranking requested map in my list. And also, I like Lruce's work. Tensile Steel is all layout. Like Victoria, this place is set in an abandoned factory of generic origin in a populated area. An Urban backdrop surrounds this rusted complex overshadowed by a towering smoke stack. Aside from several really nice looking architecture points (the slanted side of one building as shown in the pic), this place was surprisingly basic. Alot of the halls and rooms seemed too much like barren rooms with random machinery meshes thrown in. The map DID look good enough for me to enjoy it whole-heartily, so I can't really complain too much. But compared to some of the more intricate maps of the same theme that I've seen recently... The layout, like I said earlier, is this map's highpoint and the good gameplay really kept me from being too critical of the visuals as I would have if the game didn't draw me in so much. Actually I was reminded alot of DM-Brunel, an old DM map Lruce release back in the UT1 days (in appearance AND gameplay). Lruce has a habit of making several floors that overlap each other with long drops in between. While most mappers go for shorter gaps between floors, I always found Lruce's more broad approach abit refreshing. It's like he wants you to feel the scope and size of the place, and his maps are usually larger than most of the smaller Deathmatch levels out there with similar themes. The weapons are placed in an effective way, and bots navigate to all corners without difficulty (or so I observed). Playability is fantastic. I did clunk my head on some tight spots when running around on some pipework, and somewhere else as well. But the flow is otherwise very clean and Lruce does offer some room for the neccessary double jump performances on occasion. The lowest point of the map was probably the all too familiar nature of the theme. Brunel was upgraded to Victoria, Victoria was upgraded to this. Like I said, the map looks fine...but with the deletion of a few static meshes and intergration of some BSP decorations, you'd have a nice looking UT1 map. This could very well be DM-Brunel][. Oh yeah, I didn't like the music. This map coulda used a much better tune. The Prophet's Verdict: Casual visuals and run of the mill setting, but great for large deathmatches. Playability is extremely smooth and the layout wraps around this factory like an anaconda on a small child. You'll have plenty of fun here so gameplay is top notch as far as I'm concerned. But after recent maps like Redkin snagging high reviews for astonishing looks, you may find the visuals abit stock-mapish. Of course, many of you won't care. I don't either. Keep 'em coming Lruce.
Map Comments
Obi-Wan 08-23-2004 09:16 AM MDT Rating: 8   a lovely little map with an appealing visual style.. works great with slave master imo nylevefalls 08-23-2004 01:06 PM MDT Rating: 8   ah,yes Slainchild 08-23-2004 03:32 PM MDT Rating: 4   I don't know, I didnt really like this map when I got the CBP2. It's got all the essentials of a good map, nice looks etc. But, it's way too big for my liking, I couldn't find my way around and it would probably take a good few years (estimated) to learn the layout. Apart from that, all I can say is that the meshes are very well done and the skybox is quite stunning. So, on the basis of it's size and gameplay, this map gets a 4. anarkist 08-23-2004 04:34 PM MDT Rating: 8.5   Awesome TDM, and the music is kickin rad. redfist 08-23-2004 06:30 PM MDT Rating: 6.5   This map was mentioned in the opening text for the cbpacks like it was a special deal.But I kind of liked the gameplay,kind of liked the looks,and I bet the map making is kind of done real good. But I didn't see all the coolness I thought I would have.Not bad,but not really all that fun to play.It's kind of hallwayed to death map.alot of small areas,to make a big map.Definitly worth checking out though. mangan }swe{ 08-28-2004 08:57 AM MDT Rating: 6.5   nice map only the frames dropped to unacceptable at highrst texture quality. many of those narrow corridors were not nice and most of the areas were too narrow to be really fun, the map looked alittle like counterstrike map inferno nothing bad though MenuBar in Hell 09-01-2004 10:31 PM MDT Rating: 9   For visuals, this is my favorite map so far. I think it's because I feel like I've been here in real life! I really like the views of the city outside. The architecture is superb. Lots of variety keeps the fighting interesting. I keep losing in this map, because I'm always preoccupied with looking out the windows and at all the cool details around me. This is one map that really feels REAL to me. Oh, and it runs well too. yada-yada-yada. Super-Moose 02-21-2005 06:29 AM MST Rating: 8.5   WTF are you on? lol. The map looks fantastic. Plays pretty nicely too. Alkazex 02-21-2005 07:59 AM MST   awe : 1.5 ? i don' t really like the gameplay, but ... it' s one of the nicer map of the cbp2 so i don' t understand this 1.5 ... CursedSoul1 02-21-2005 10:49 AM MST Rating: 8   Personally I really like this map, A good strange-ish layout with a superb executed theme. razielyo 02-21-2005 02:53 PM MST Rating: 8.5   Very good map ;) E.T 02-21-2005 05:36 PM MST Rating: 8   6.5? This map is very special, very original and visualy pleasing, imho it's one of the best of cbp2. Awesome skybox two! krolizard 02-22-2005 04:11 AM MST   I really don't understand people that says "good looking map, cool ambience, well done but i lost myself.... 4" ?!? buy a compass! G.Lecter 02-22-2005 01:08 PM MST Rating: 6.5   Framerates are really low in most of places, and I get a big FPS boost in the corners that definitely confuses me and makes the gameplay bad. I am really sad to give this map a 6.5, the visual work is excellent, months (if not years) of work. The skybox is one of the best ones I've ever seen. The layout is OK, but too big for my liking. I also find most of the map are corridors, I would prefer a smaller map, with more connectivity, big rooms, simpler z-axis and jumpads/lifts. In my opinion, awesome visuals, but poor gameplay. Worth the download though. Koveras 02-22-2005 01:11 PM MST Rating: 6   I found this one kind of disappointing compared to Lruce Bee's other maps the visuals are plain and boring, and the map just doesn't flow good IMO [[TDW-KkillgasmM]]] 02-22-2005 04:31 PM MST Rating: 7   great skybox and visuals, i dont normally like maps this big [and this is BIG], but it still has pretty good gameplay, and the architecture is reeeeaaaaall niiiice ;) Aggressor 02-23-2005 03:26 AM MST Rating: 8   I like this map a lot; has some special feeling to it. IMHO the atmosphere is right on and the sheer size of the map makes it perfect for some big Team DM. Also excellent for Invasion. Kantham 03-04-2005 02:08 AM MST   Man! A long time i not played this map , i agree with most ppl here , the optimization could be wayyyy better imho . I also got bad fps at sommeplaces , and bots don't go every where in this map . They really sucked The map itself teleport you in a pure Japanesse rafinery , it make you feel the city around , which i am lovin it. If you want sommething decent and you got the card , you really want to give this map a try anyway , because the opinion are not all the same here. Nautilus Echoes 03-05-2005 12:28 PM MST   i have had cbp2 for many months now and i still haven't played all the maps including this one :P :P i play tons of maps!!!( including my own) :) :)