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Another release from the prolific map
maker Kona, this one is a smallish pack
featuring 2 small/medium sized levels [plus
a tiny start map].
gun: Guncotton The map layout here is the
*trademarked and patented* [Kona] two level
winding maze/pathway through various open
areas and indoor sections. Its a relatively
small map [43 enemy count] and shouldn't
take too long to find your way through.
The Architecture in terms of both style
and texturing is very good, a fairly unique
look. The textures are particularly original,
a kind of metallic/machine/industrial mix,
colored in muted browns/green/blue. There
are some nice door designs, door textures
and detailing on the walls. The brushes
tend to be anything but rectangular, everything
kind of has dents in it, or consists of
pillars and buttresses of angular design,
to give the architecture a consistently
angular, solid and chunky feel and look.
Lighting is decent as well, and there is
a greenish custom skybox. Gameplay is more
straightforward, the enemies consisting
almost entirely of custom/modified grunts
and enforcers. The modified enemies have
custom skins (good, they fit in well with
the map) and include red-skinned nail shooting
grunts which can be tricky to deal with.
There are also some grenade grunts as well.
These modifications are good and add some
much needed challenge and variety to the
standard base enemy. I still found the map
quite easy to play through on hard skill,
more challenging gameplay might have helped
here, although having said that, armor/health
is quite well-balanced. |
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gun2: Guncotton A better map than the
first, slightly more ambitious architecture,
but more significantly much better gameplay.
Again, the actual map size is small, here
we have 2 or 3 medium sized complex areas,
typically consisting of a low rocky floor,
surrounded by the metallic/stone walkway/path.
Lighting is again good and expertly done,
the darkness in certain spots adding to
the atmosphere. The room designs are imaginative
as well. Gameplay is better, because it
is harder, essentially. Enemies often spawn
in to surprise you, and are strategically
well placed on the high pathways to attack
you. Wisely no Rocket launcher is immediately
given to the player, instead you get a Grenade
launcher and a super nail gun. Ammo is well
balanced. As the map progresses you encounter
more and more of the nail shooting grunts,
then grenade grunts and finally rocket shooting
grunts, they combine to form a real challenge
in the final area, which is good fun as
a result. Overall this is a good Pak, deliberately
small in scale and scope, but featuring
great custom textures and imaginative, fairly
unique architecture. The gameplay is also
good after a slightly slow start. In these
respects the pack reminded me *slightly*
(although its not as big) of a previous
Kona release, Necrobrood.
Overall Score: 16/20 |
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