Nehahra's enhanced mapping potential is catching on it seems, with another good recent release. This unit doesn't use many of Nehahra's enhancements, but extra effects such as fog and skyboxes spice up the maps visually, while the new and improved monsters increase the challenge. The pervading theme through these maps is a sorta gothic/industrial/medieval style, and the pervading architecture is a heavy, solid, well angled look - both of which fit Quake's ethos well. There's some dramatic designs too, such as the ominous buttresses that tower overhead, or the great final area, an imposing chapel set in a rocky bowl.

 

Gameplay keeps the focus simply and directly on the action - lots of action. The fighting is very continuous, and each map is packed with challenging monsters. There's no outrageous situations, but it's a dedicated player who will manage this in one sitting - the rest of us will want to take a breather or two. The start, with Nehahra's heinous base enemy, is rather hard and offputting, but perserve, and once better weapons are gained, the fighting becomes more fun and fair. Supplies are reasonable, so it's a matter of putting finger to trigger, and not stopping until everything is dead. The final conflict is the epitomy of this fighting - waves of monsters in a dramatic situation provide a fitting finale.

 

 

11/12/01: Permutations of The Rotten

something smells very, very bad...