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PlanetQuake

Reviews: 6th September 2008: Review 1 [Reviewed by Tronyn]

SUMMARY
Game: QUAKE
Map - shesp1: Dorghael Arhlannen
by: Sidhe
Downloads - shesp1.zip

FULL REVIEW: This is a very tidy, stylish map presenting a unique theme - a slightly darker, less colorful IKWhite texture set, based on Killjoy's IKWhite set, itself based on the classic IKBlue set. It also distinguishes itself both by its snowy, nighttime setting (as opposed to KJSP1's sunny day), and its consistent use of crystal cage-lights. All of this adds up to a very consistent, original and interesting theme, which is furthermore well-presented throughout, even though the same types of door/arch are repeated a lot (a flaw in the original IKblue maps also).

The map is medium sized, and the enemies are different in each section - zombies in tomb areas, scrags in open-sky spots, shamblers for ambushes, and so forth. Overall it's not overly difficult, but rather a consistent mid-level challenge which leaves the player with plenty of time to take in the aesthetically pleasing scenery. The difficulty spikes near the end which is appropriate, finishing this neat map with a good challenge. Recommended for the cool theme, pretty architecture, and laid back (mostly) gameplay.

Overall Score: 16/20

Reviews: 6th September 2008: Review 2 [Reviewed by Tronyn]

SUMMARY
Game - QUAKE
Map - hulk256: SpaceHulk 256 Brush Map
by - Ijed
Downloads - hulk256.zip

FULL REVIEW
This is a small map created by ijed for the Space Hulk contest. I never played the original game, so I can't comment on how closely this map approximates it. What I can say, is that it is more like a speedmap than a full map, and takes place mostly in hallways that are very similar to each other, without many distinct sections. Because of this, even though the map is small, the layout can be confusing.

However this is part of the fun - for much of the map you are fighting Fiends, you are given the perforator and as many nails as you can use. The fiends tend to spawn in or approach from angles you aren't expecting, because no matter where you are there are 2-3 hallways connecting to it (sometimes with doors). This unique gameplay makes the map worth a try even though it is otherwise below average and not all that interesting, even though Quoth extras do help the atmosphere a bit in places. The key to the gameplay is to move around to a point where almost all of the fiends must approach you in your own line of sight (basically, to outmaneuver them and eliminate the possibility of ambush from behind or the side). This is easier said than done, but it's quite fun to try. Overall, not for everyone, but an interesting idea for a map (or map section) that could have been done better.

Overall Score: 11/20