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Thursday 7th June 2001

Rumours: "Recurrent Rumours"
(Size: 990 k. Alternative downloads: Rumours)


A largish level that covers a variety of Quake's medieval themes, from beige brick through rusty metal to green and slimey. Though it's all medieval, the different themes make it a bit incoherent. A small industrial base area, however, does work quite well in a covert way, and the lighting and sounds give it a fairly good atmosphere. Architecture is similarly diverse, with a few obvious setpieces having the best architecture, like a stylish, detailed medieval hall and a couple of rooms with good metal beam designs. Other areas, though usually containing interesting details, are less impressive and lack strong designs. This is sometimes due to the small scale in those areas leaving less room for designs, but the difference between the setpiece areas and the other, plainer areas is too obvious.

However, textures are fine, and there's good details spread throughout, in particular the cool, consistently used, torch holders. Some details like a spear rack and a water trough would be better in a more "realistic" level. There's plenty of good ideas in this level, and they sometimes leads to good designs, but needs more it coherence and better designs in the minor areas. The key / rune grabbing mission gives a large route choice through most of the map - both routes being completely seperate and well balanced, with one exception. If you choose the rune route first (i.e. through the water by the medieval hall), the ending climax occurs partway through the map. Also there are 3 useful and fairly straightforward secrets. Sometimes you'll need to hunt around to progress.

Gameplay is quite pleasant if you're careful, and fairly tricky rather than outright challenging. There's plenty of monsters, but they aren't thrown at you in unsubtle gangs, instead monsters lurk and lure the player into close confines. The combination of a small scale - which may feel too cramped in places - and dark areas, makes this combat tricky. But, played with caution it is fun and fair, and more satisfactory than charging straight in. There are some well set-up traps and ambushes, though the "pit of a thousand spawn" may be frustrating if it's not avoided. The ending (assuming it occurs at the end), is a good finish, not overly challenging. All items are in good supply, spread throughout the map, and skill settings are very effective so all players can have a go.

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