CTF-Masteroid
Map Info
	File Name ctf-masteroid.zip Author TheJokeR Gametype UT Capture the Flag Date Added 11-04-2000 File Version 1.00 File Size 543 kb Player Count 10-10 Map Description None Review Rating 7.5 User Rating 7 Overall Rating 7.5	NC2 map imported without screenshot.
Review
Reviewer THE ]V[ATTerminator Overall Score:  7.5/10 Date NC2 12-06-2000 Level Size: Medium Recommended Player Load: 10 Players Here's another level from respected map author, Niklas Nolte. This level keeps with his tradition of using a careful blend of gameplay and visual elements. Basically speaking, this level is a mix of CTF-Face, and CTF-LavaGiant. You've got the rock bridge with bases at either end. The bases are fort-type, on top of hills each side. The bases have been optimised for sniping, as they have sniper windows on each corner. You can also snipe through the battlements. This, as you can imagine, encourages sniping in a big way. Not that it's a bad thing, but I know that some people have a problem with that kind of gameplay - more on that later. The skybox has been copied and pasted from CTF-Face. No problem, because the author mentions this in the accompanying readme file. Texturing and lighting are both good. But, in my opinion, the same textures are overused in places. Architecture is also good. I especially liked the 'horns' over the bases, and the concrete supports along the outside of the bases. There aren't any ambient sounds in there, but I can't see where they could have been used anyway. The bots play very well. They snipe like crazy, from a variety of different places. They've also been instructed by Niklas to use the translocator to make shortcuts into the bases. But, they sometimes have a problem getting out. Impact jumping may have worked. There are JumpSpots in there, but jumping through the battlements while being shot at is hard enough, for humans and bots alike. Items have been placed well, each base containing a good mix of weapons and items. I respect the author's decision not to include the redeemer, as it would probably make things way too easy. For example you could clear their snipers and anyone else in their base very quickly. Gameplay is very good. Sniping is definitely the tactic that will be used here. There are some rock columns in the middle of the level, which provide some protection from snipers. Outside each base, is a pair of Jump Boots. When I played, I found this the best way to get in and get out quickly. Team play is a must here, as no one player will be able to steal the flag without getting sniped to pieces. A good tactic that I used, which seemed to work, was to leave a team-mate in the middle of level to keep sniper platforms, and the escape route clear. Often I fulfilled this 'midfield' position. I found that the same tactic worked well on CTF-Face, as much of the gameplay elements are borrowed from that level. Lower end machines will struggle with this level. CTF-Masteroid has 2015 polys in total compared to 1078 on CTF-Face. Looking from the sniper platform on CTF-Masteroid, the poly count reads 280. Having said that though, don't let that put you off trying this level if you want. A CTF-Face clone? Yes. A good one? Definitely. If you've got the PC to handle it, go for it, you'll like this level. Yeah, there are a couple of other problems, but nothing show-stopping. I can imagine this level will work better on LANs than Internet play, because accurate sniping needs a very small, if not zero lag. Another reason is because careful teamwork is required; meaning fast communication between players is a very good idea. In case you're wondering, the playerstarts (bar one for each team I think) are all inside or around the back of the forts, meaning that you can't snipe newly-spawns. CTF Masteroid is; A very good CTF-Face Clone. Similar to CTF-Face and CTF-LavaGiant. Prone to over sniping. CTF Masteroid isn't; For those who got tired of CTF-Face, or those who think sniping is evil. For lower end machines. 100% visually stunning. Teaching points for author: Not everyone has a state-of-the-art PC like you and I. Try to keep the poly counts below 180 (at the most), or 150 in action spots. Making your own skybox wouldn't of killed you!! But I won't hold that against you, in the scores.
Map Comments
[--x--]LurkerBot Rating: 6   are u serious? THE ]V[ATTerminator Rating: 7.5   Yes thanks. FranÃ�ois Rating: 7.5   Pretty cool but not that much. :) sparky14 Rating: 6.5   Good map. fun to play. As usual "Lurkerbot" has made his snide "newbie" comments. I look forward to playing one of Lurkerbots maps??? Oh, I know now, he's the king of critics, but lacks the ambition to put out maps with his name on them. Red Fox Rating: 10   THE ]V[ATTerminator is right. Let aus be 7.5 :] Hello from Russia/Moscow. Ryan Smith Rating: 8   Judged on looks alone i give the map about an 8. But when i downloaded the damn thing i give it a six because it is just like face. But i gotta give him credit where credit is do. it is fun. i suggest you download this and wait till they put it on a server. Bye the way. BIG RED RULES!!!! MatthijsM Rating: 6   I don't like Face anymore and Face Clones too! And copying skybox is bad Luquado Rating: 5   Halfway decent looks (and I dare say the majority of the "good looks" comes from my favorite skybox), shaky FPS (280 when trying to snipe??), Face clone (bleh!), bot troubles, and just about another sniper's paradise. Played it on my LAN and my roommate blew my head apart on most runs. :) Recommended NC score: 6.5. My personal opinion (I'm a little harsher): 5. And Sparky14 and Lurker Bot, keep your little sniping elsewhere, pleeeez? :D Akuma Rating: 5   It has jumpboots. David 'DAVIDM' Münnich Rating: 5   sparky, stop the stupid "make it better" shit!! /me agrees, it has jumpboots Blaster0183 Rating: 8   This is a pretty good map, I like it's layout, but brown really isn't my thing. Definitely worth a look. P.S.-Don't be a Hypocrit Lurkerbot, if u think u can make something better, do it Dai Rating: 5   (((((I look forward to playing one of Lurkerbots maps??? Oh, I know now, he's the king of critics, but lacks the ambition to put out maps with his name on them.))))) ugh - you are so lame, sir! I hate "if you dont like - you do better"-comments. oh, I like jumpboots, but I dont like this map. Blooddog_sweden Rating: 7.5   A map that reminds me of textures from half-life. Can be borring in the long run. Other maps like this: Face:9(Sniper) City of Face:7.5(If you haven't test it do it,CTF of the month on Nexusfiles) Deathwing Rating: 3   Poop. carnivore76 Rating: 9   THis level ROCKS!!! When I want to snipe, this is where I do it!! Face sucks, this rocks. Try sniping from "horns" and center pillers!!! YEAH BABY, YEAH!!! Altimartin 11-18-2003 09:57 PM MST Rating: 8   Interesting map (like lavagiant) Decent one...i must say superkag 11-19-2003 06:36 PM MST Rating: 10   It's as great as my second conversion of CTF-Face. ronnn 02-18-2004 06:35 PM MST Rating: 8   nice nice and again NICE nothing to say else about it.