| The final map, That Shallot, is the huge showdown area that you see at the start of map one. It is without exaggeration, one of the most epic areas in a Quake map. While there are some "indoor" (the whole thing is underground) dungeon bits, most of the map is spent in this gigantic area, and the Shamblers, Hellknights, and Droles are out in full force. Two "Guardian" gargoyles guard the exit, and must be disabled by getting the runes. You get both keys and combat is challenging throughout the map. As before, there are thoughtful secrets. Given the high-level monsters, obvious and well-styled end-gate, and the spectacle of the map's main setpiece, this is definitely a satisfying conclusion to the episode. It is obvious how much work went into this (and the vis times must have been brutal), so it's great that this was eventually finished so we can play it. The author says that there are still some rough edges, but I had no problems at all - I spotted maybe one misaligned texture (and perhaps the lighting was too bright in some areas of every map). Looking at this and realizing how impressive it actually is, you can see the arc of the author's development throughout the FMB series (the first FMB map was released in 1997!). Overall, this is a very high quality, professional effort - an atmospheric and satisfying swan song from one of the great Q1SP mappers. And now his watch is ended. | The final map, That Shallot, is the huge showdown area that you see at the start of map one. It is without exaggeration, one of the most epic areas in a Quake map. While there are some "indoor" (the whole thing is underground) dungeon bits, most of the map is spent in this gigantic area, and the Shamblers, Hellknights, and Droles are out in full force. Two "Guardian" gargoyles guard the exit, and must be disabled by getting the runes. You get both keys and combat is challenging throughout the map. As before, there are thoughtful secrets. Given the high-level monsters, obvious and well-styled end-gate, and the spectacle of the map's main setpiece, this is definitely a satisfying conclusion to the episode. It is obvious how much work went into this (and the vis times must have been brutal), so it's great that this was eventually finished so we can play it. The author says that there are still some rough edges, but I had no problems at all - I spotted maybe one misaligned texture (and perhaps the lighting was too bright in some areas of every map). Looking at this and realizing how impressive it actually is, you can see the arc of the author's development throughout the FMB series (the first FMB map was released in 1997!). Overall, this is a very high quality, professional effort - an atmospheric and satisfying swan song from one of the great Q1SP mappers. And now his watch is ended. |
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