DOM-1on1-Alpha
Map Info
	File Name dom-1on1-alpha.zip Author yournan Gametype UT2k4 Double Domination Date Added 11-19-2004 File Version 1.00 File Size 1.35 mb Player Count Unknown Map Description None Review Rating 6 User Rating 7 Overall Rating 7.0
Review
Reviewer ArcadiaVincennes Awe Score:  2.0/3 Date 12-03-2004 Build Score:  2.5/3 Review Schema Cast Score:  1.5/3 User Point:  +1 Overall Score:  7.0/10 DOM-1on1-Alpha (UT2004) I had actually not come across a 1-on-1 DOM map before. I didn’t know such a thing existed. So I was quite intrigued to test this one. A small, straightforward map set in an abandoned industrial complex that’s decidedly designed for 1 on 1. AWE:2.0 A standard somewhat run-down Unreal industrial arena. Par-for-the-course semi-ruined textures focusing on concrete and metal are well-chosen. However, there are some misalignments and some different textures but against each other with no trim/separation. But the variety and placement of the different textures help carry the theme along well. The lighting is good with no place that’s too dark and some nice shadow work coming through a few meshes from the skybox. Nothing was oversaturated nor spread out too much making it look ambient lit. The floor tiles I do have an issue with, however, they border the edges somewhat and then disappear altogether at the center of the corridors. Given that the arena is old it makes sense for the floor tiles to be missing. But only a few in the center are offset and one of them is protruding into the static mesh stairs. I think it would have been fitting to put some back in at angles and separated from the others. The steam emitters coming from the air vents were a nice touch and well-chosen and placed. The music was stock but chosen fairly well. Overall somewhat bland in theme in that the Unreal run-down industrial look has been overused so there’s nothing really new or interesting here. But what there is is assembled well and used well despite some texture flaws. Build: 2.5 The build on the map is quite good. The BSP work is solid and the map is zoned well. In the editor, however, it seemed that one of the zones leaked in that two adjacent zones were colored the same. On the other hand this did not seem to affect the FPS greatly so no harm-no foul. The meshes are placed expertly with good blocking volume utilization to prevent players getting stuck in recessed decorations on the sides. Most of the floor tiles were surprisingly (to me) made of BSP and were not meshes. The only ambient sounds were above the water in each spawn area. I think the ambience really would have benefited more from more ambient sounds. Overall, well-crafted and thought-out. Had there been more ambient sound and no zone leak, I think the construction would have been nigh-on perfect. CAST: 1.5 Despite the zone leak mentioned above, the FPS remain above retail level thoughout. Nice job optimizing the place. The bots work well overall. On the lower skill levels they’re somewhat ineffectual but if you ramp up the skill, they really become challenging. However, the challenge is not in the form of strategy of DOM skill but in Deathmatch skill. However, on 1 on 1 DOM, Deathmatch skill becomes more important than strategy. One downside to the bots is that they have a tendancy to focus on the pickups and not the DOM points. There were a number of times that I controlled both points and the bot came along and took over one point, then killed me. At this point they left the DOM area with one point in each team’s possession and ran back into their corridor to go pick up health and armour instead of grabbing the other DOM point. If I died and both DOM points were in my possession, they did turn around and convert the DOM points. The distances from the spawn points to the DOM points is perfect. There’s just enough length that you can respawn and run back to the center before the timer runs out. But it’s also long enough that if you get fragged on the way back, the other team will score. The weapon load out is simplistic but fits the level well. Only the rocket launcher and shock rifle are available which suits the map well. The lightning gun would have been unfair with the long straight corridor and the other weapons don’t really have a place in the map so those two weapons are well-chosen. My basic complaints despite the above is that I think there should have been a wider area in each of the corridors. Basically the center DOM area is wide, and the spawn areas are wide, and the corridors are narrow. I think a wider area in each corridor would have enhanced the gameplay a bit. Also, the entire arena is almost completely flat. The center DOM area is recessed enough that you can’t stand on the floor and fire straight down the corridors which is good. But I think a little more vertical variation would have been nice. Finally, the center DOM area is really tight. When I started bouncing around the center area fighting the bot, I would have appreciated a little more room to dodge back and forth. Maybe this was a design choice, but I think more room would have made it better. Overall the gameplay is good in terms of FPS but just about average with bots. Humans would make this a much more interesting play. To sum it up, this is a 1 on 1 DOM match that is truly 1 on 1. There really isn’t room for any more players. The bots are a little sketchy on the gameplay even at higher levels but they do enough to make it interesting. There are some visual and audio discrepancies and the theme is a little tired but well-implemented in this map. If you’re a DOM player, this is a keeper. I think this would be very interesting to play with humans rather than bots. But if you’re not a DOM player, you’ll probably pass this one by.
Map Comments
SoH_Ghost3021 11-21-2004 11:42 AM MST Rating: 8.5   a 1on1 dom? thats new... a few gameplay problems, probably related to the 1on1 part, but other than that , good map! edit) it felt just a little clausterphobic in some areas, i played it again with harder bots and it was much more enjoyable. i have revised my rating. keep up the good work! yournan 11-21-2004 09:40 AM MST   thanks mate, what problems exactly? MsM T0mbr41d3r 01-27-2005 01:03 PM MST Rating: 5.5   A 1on1 Domination map, very nice idea, I enjoyed it quite a bit, but still I see Domination as a teamgame.