DM-Angkor
Map Info
	File Name dm-angkor.zip Author Angelheart Gametype UT2k3 Deathmatch Date Added 07-19-2003 File Version 1.00 File Size 15.1 mb Player Count Unknown Map Description None Review Rating 7 User Rating 7 Overall Rating 7
Review
Reviewer Twrecks Awe Score:  3.0/3 Date 08-09-2003 Build Score:  2.5/3 Review Schema Cast Score:  1.5/3 User Point:  0 Overall Score:  7/10 Taste the Sanskrit Dm-Angkor by Angelheart is one of those "must have to see" maps. In case you haven't guessed already, DM-Angkor is based on the Angkor temple complex built between the 9th and 15th century in Cambodia. Lost to civilization till the 1860's, the jungle reclaimed most of the crumbling structures. Sounds perfect for a Deathmatch right? The map follows the general rectilinear floorplan, corbelled architecture and sandstone carvings made famous by the region. Budda will smile down upon your victory, or defeat as the case may be. History lesson aside, this map plays amazingly well with a liberal dose of antiportals and dusting of distance view fog. Item placement is well spread out but predictably on line of sights, while this supports the theme it creates a spam fest in the central Shrine-of-the-Rocket-Launcher. The surrounding ruins further support the theme and create some interesting Z-Axis combat. A few well placed square pediments rising from the terrain can be reached in successive double jumps (without reward), though bots tend to favor the Translocator if allowed. None of the higher power-ups make an appearance, but a custom x-weapon base does. Able to handle the recommended player load of 6-10, expect the in-your-face variety of firefights in this place. Too much of a good thing? Tiled textures (specially on the stairs) tiny doorways, and vines, lots of vines gets trite. The vines don't have a good mask and the doorways need perhaps some round blocking volumes to ease player movement, bigger/wider would have been better. The mysterious atrium above the RL doesn't have a hole in the roof counterpart. The symetrical layout can be confusing as to exactly where are you when you spawn. On the whole the mesh repetitiveness is to be expected and has been adorned with lesser decorations to ease the deja vu to some extents. Lighting is of the ambiant variety and the bright sunless daytime sky provides just enough believability. Also included are many custom meshes, textures, soundFX and a music track that even though it fits ethnically, must be turned off (F11 me now) Ending on a positive note, Like many Angelheart maps, this level gets full marks for theme and build, and just falls on the wrong side of the scales for flow and item placement (again, traits of Angelheart). Other notable, but lacking from NaliCity maps by Angelheart are the early 2003 map DM-2019, and the recent DM-AChina. Both worth the download if you come across them. DM-Angkor is perhaps the best playing map of the trio (unless you play low grav Ninja roof jumping in AChina), and from the 4th screeny I included of "the real Angkor" the strongest realism map as well.
Map Comments
_GMotha 07-19-2003 10:55 AM MDT Rating: 8   Ohter than angelhearts previous maps, this one is playable. But no killergameplay I like the details like the custom weaponbase and health. also this map runs quite smoothly It has atmosphere, a well-executed theme and great visuals Luggage 07-20-2003 08:26 AM MDT Rating: 6   Nice visuals, but somehow lacking... gameplay is better than we're used to from Angelheart's maps, ;) but still has a way to go. Thematically, it's pretty gorgeous, but somehow it reminded me of Tomb Raider maps :) Could still have used a bit more detail IMO, i.e. the leaves. But then again that would probably have killed performance. Coincidentally I just read an article about Angkor, that sooo made me wanna go there =) Fuzzy Logic 07-20-2003 01:37 PM MDT Rating: 5   Another great looking map let down by average gameplay. It just doesn't flow well. The interior is confused - An inner chamber containing the RL, is surrounded by more chambers which serve no purpose :/ The outside areas are better, but still a bit random. Amisa 07-20-2003 05:19 PM MDT Rating: 7   Beautifull one to see. Very impressive. I think the small rooms inside the temple are consistent with the theme, but too smalls for a DM. It's like killing a cow in a corridor ;-). But outside better gameplay. DialAJunk 07-21-2003 03:16 AM MDT Rating: 7   Great theme. Great looks. Not the funnest to play though. Typical AngelHeart fare (that's a good thing, y'know?) Claw 07-22-2003 07:44 AM MDT Rating: 6   His last two maps looked better; the architecture is repetitive, the use of sheets doesn't looks so great either. And the central building is a bit empty and featureless, and lacking intriguing architecture, although the hole in the roof is a nice touch. Gameplay didn't strike me as very good; the outside is open and lacks clearly defined paths, the inside is cramped with overly simple linear layout, lacking predictability, and there is no z-Axis. Worst Angelheart map as far as I can remember. DM-2019 was unplayable but with amazing looks; DM-AChina was playable with better looks and gameplay than this. G.e.c.K.o.o 08-09-2003 01:36 PM MDT Rating: 6   Nice map with a very average gameplay... Gaian 08-16-2003 07:49 PM MDT Rating: 9   Frankly, I'm impressed. AngelHeart does it again. I don't think anyone dissing AngelHeart over gameplay issues is really getting the point with his maps. AngelHeart's maps are studies in 3D environment building, not so much arenas or combat zones. Sure, if you want to run around with a minigun in a Bladerunner set, a medieval castle or an Iron-Age Celtic village then go ahead and knock yourself out. But I really think people should stop whining about flow and elevators and not enough jumppads and just be happy he's using the Unreal engine to make these maps. AngelHeart - Yer Only Man nnock 08-16-2003 10:09 PM MDT Rating: 7   OK ....... where's the BIO RIFLE ?!! Ran around looking for almost 10 minutes before I realized the author might have left it out. Omitting the Redeemer or the Ion painter is understandable, but to leave out a the BIO RIFLE ... that's just wrong! ;-) Agree with what was said earlier ... Nice looking map with average gameplay. As far as atmosphere goes this is a nice map. My biggest complaint is weapon placement. All the action is in the central inside area. This always turns into a fragfest with the Rocket Launcher. Given the closed in spaces there, the splash damage from the R.L. makes this a poor choice for placement there IMhO. It would have been great to stick some GREEN GOO to the walls in those tight halls. Visually & structurally this map is impressive. A great effort on AngelHeart's part to be sure. The fact that this map is so structurally complex yet has so few apples (76?) is attest to the author's skill. Yet gameplay seems lacking. Don't get me wrong, it's great to have the opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere a nice work provides. But are we here to walk around looking at the trees or to SHOOT? Lest we forget that this is a FPS game and to many great weapon placement and gameflow are as much a part of the art as the visuals. Just my humble two cents. ................... 'nnock (f.k.a. LXIXGTO) Shao 08-17-2003 01:07 PM MDT Rating: 7   another cool map!! ][Evil 08-19-2003 09:07 PM MDT Rating: 7   The only nice gameplay is out side of the temple =/ though its a very nice map ^_^ darkjaxx 08-22-2003 10:11 AM MDT Rating: 9   This map Rocks, It's just lookin good Visuals are p(r)etty nice work DUDE! TheZorch 08-29-2003 01:04 PM MDT Rating: 9   A good map with good flow. Makes for a very hectic Invasion map. The archetecture is great with a really nice Indian/Southerm Asian theme, and despite the level of detail the FPS stay at a decent rate. avatar 09-08-2003 12:50 AM MDT Rating: 6   points for visuals and realism, but much of what detracts from the map is the flow - it just doesn't work. this is a map i'd play in just for the looks of it but it won't be one i'll keep coming back to. Razor 09-22-2003 02:21 PM MDT Rating: 8   Very nice map- with great visuals, and good bot game Good map!!! Manticore 10-01-2003 02:00 AM MDT Rating: 9   A thing of beauty..... Plays ok too... It's fragadelic! Must look for the other maps by this being... slinkfinger 10-13-2003 03:04 PM MDT Rating: 8   a very good looking map by angelheart i like this map a lot Draco 03-17-2004 06:06 PM MST Rating: 8   Great looking map.