This map will keep you occupied for longer than you first might think, although the size is pretty average for a single bsp. The answer lies in the weak weapons you are provided with in the first part of the map, and the enemy count to go with that. But more about that later, here's the story:


Tired of training instead of gibbing some real Strogg opposition, you walk into the office of your commander to ask him if you could join in on the next attack on the Strogg. He is however not willing to let you go, and the two of you begin to argue. In the heat of the discussion, you pull your gun and point it towards him, just as a soldier enters the office. Before you have time to react, shots are fired, and as the echoes of your gunfight fades away, they are both dead; now you're a fugitive on the run. You manage to steal a pod scheduled for the Strogg leaders planet. Regretfully you didn't bring any heavy weaponry.

 

The layout of this map is actually pretty good, but the design lacks professionalism. Some areas look good, some don't. Here's an example: when using a lift you don't normally expect it to go right through the buttons that operate it. And, that particular lift didn't seem to fit in with the environment; it should have been replaced with some stairs. The textures aren't used to their advantage, with the exception of a couple of areas that look good. In the beginning rooms are very small, but the deeper into the mission you get, the larger the rooms get. There's a couple of outdoor areas that are OK, and the 3D feel to this bsp is better than a couple of recently reviewed maps here at QIC. The lighting however is a bit, how shall I put it, original. Take the lower screenshot as an example; is there anyone who believes green light outdoors look natural? I know I don't.

 

When it comes to Strogg resistance I have to say that the first half of the map isn't very fun, mainly because you're only equipped with the single shotgun and a couple of hand grenades. There's a pretty massive opposition you're up against, and although it's possible to kill all the enemies with the weapons provided, it gets very tedious, yes even annoying. But once you get a hold of the super shotgun the game picks up again. But then the next annoying thing happens; areas that you recently cleared are filled with monsters again, sometimes right behind your back, coming out of nowhere. It would have been OK if it happened in another room and you were to backtrack, but when it happens in the very room you're standing in, it gets unreal. You really have no indication on where they're going to respawn. On the upside is the smoothness, very little slowdown and the escalation towards the end is well performed.

 

Some of what this map lacks can be explained with the authors non-willingness to learn how to edit with Worldcraft. Therefore no special effects are used, but the map clearly has potential, especially if more time is spent on creating a more realistic environment. One or two moving things would have added to that as well; for instance why not make the crane in the lower screenshot actually work. Well, that's about it, I think I've laid everything I can remember about the map out for you; now it's up to you to decide whether to download or not. I'm out of here.

Score: 3/5