Anonca base: The shamblin for Quake1

***New***

Level name: Anonca base: The shamblin

Author: Rob Marton

Release date: 06 February 1997

Size: 492 ko

Number of maps: 1

website: None


download:
from quaddicated

Story

Anonca Base, located on Neptune, has been rumored to still house outlaw shamblers. Find them. Kill them, and get your butt back home.
Review :

This medium blue metal base as a unique feeling it doesn't offer a great challeng nor an impressive gameplay but the fact the author added several custom futuristic design and several other thing make it well enjoyable

Design: particular let say even the starting of the map with the entrance into the main room from the top was well done, the archtitecture may look basic in terms of direct layout but provides a lot of particular object or stuff to come accross: elevator, some decoration object crossing brigdes an  so on.The team mostly oriented on blue metal texture cretes something special enhance by the good use of limited but perfect lightning. Travel will offer you to activate trigger that will interconnect the whole map making sometime the search for the next step not evident.

Gameplay is correctly balanced with not a lot of surpise, most of the items and enemies are well places with some, awaiting you from an upper position and other put on lower that will make you go for the direct confrontation (schambler in the central room), the path to follow isn't that evident and teleport event if smart doesn't really add something interesting to the map. Challenge isn't present in this one because you will recieve everything what is needed to make it not that hard... search and hunting for secret places is well balanced with easy to find and more tricky ones.

In conclusion: even if I can critisize several point and the absence of some background of a strong storyline the unique theme and presence of  some innovative architecture features really make a expeirence to play also by the fact it's not a difficult map to accomplish.

 Statistics on normal skill:   playtime 18' 03''    secrets 3/7     kills 54/57 

Playtime: 20 minutes

Rating: A B C D E (78%)

Operation Deus Ex Machina for Quake 2

***New***

Level name:Operation Deus Ex Machina


Author: Andrea Rosa

Release date: 15 january 2006


Size: 10 054 ko

Number of maps: 8


website: here


download page:   author's page

Story

At the beginning of the Strogg War the Earth forces gambled essentially on two factors: the destruction of the Big Gun and the assassination of the Strogg Leader. While destroying the major planetary defense of Stroggos gave us a considerable tactical advantage, killing the Makron did not sort the expected results. We sought to drive the Strogg Warlords into internal struggles by eliminating their leading mind, however no turmoil happened. Instead of choosing a new Makron, the Warlords revolutionized the political structure of Stroggos, abandoning the old hierarchies and turning their world into a collection of feudal states. That way, they could continue to keep firm control over the strategic locations they were given and were able to organize defensive positions independently.

Operation Deus Ex Machina:
You are part of a small group of TCM marines currently scouting the region of Stroggos we refer to as Ishtar Chasmata. Headquarters have been monitoring this area for some days since evidences of anti-matter experiments were detected. If the Strogg can develop anti-matter weapons the equilibrium of this war could be drastically changed. They could even be able to restore the interplanetary gateway between Stroggos and Earth and launch a terrible counterstrike. We urgently need to know their plans, thus your primary task is to infiltrate the underground arsenal and steal whatever weapons designs or schematics you may find. Once you get the secret information, you’ll need to find a Com Center and transmit your data to the mothership. Intelligence will elaborate further strategy and orders according to your findings. You will be likely sent further deep into Ishtar Chasmata to find the source of that a-m relief and attempt to neutralize it. But beware, it won’t be easy. The local Warlord will surely track your moves. He has a loyal and well-trained army at his disposal, and he’s ready to deal with you with his own hands, if necessary. We wish you the best of luck in accomplishing this mission.


Review :

This episode made of 8 maps including some feature only available through lazarus engine is the first one from the author and even if the srart may look a little average it really grow up while you progress and will make you cross some intense and great looking area.
Design: For a first release and even if the author took some inspiration from other well done level (this is mentioned in the html included in the zip file), I was definitely impressed. At start and especially for the two first maps the design looks OK with some interesting detail features but honestly is quite average with a feeling of putting together some squared placed well interconnected but lacking spirit and atmosphere. After and when you enter the base the author slightly and surprisingly increase is mapping skill and the size of places you are going to travel through, it’s not just the design but also the use of moving things the way gameplay is oriented, the traps, the secret places everything just catch you attention in the way we like this game (first screen)… it will not just continue on the same level till the end and some place can be minored by a simple use of repetitive texture and minor lightning but this happens not too much and is normal to all human who are working on a whole unit to have some decrease in inspiration.

 







Gameplay: is most of the time correctly balance but sometimes, and especially at the end of level 3 and start of level 4 the challenge was put a little too high (with the help of the quite harmful turnable canon) and nearly turn into frustration. The use of the new feature coming with the lazarus engine really put an interesting additional point, also the way you need to travel cleverly through each level never look confusing and add a immersive feeling to each level you need to travel. Features are always well put together (included ammo, weapon you receive and health) but the fact that at the middle of the episode there were some tight moments, when you receive something extra, you just keep it, so that both end battle look somewhat easy to accomplish due to those extra quad damage and invulnerability… The search for those secret features and secret places was also well put together to add more stuffs to people who are looking for everything but without letting the one who won’t take too much time without nothing.

In conclusion: for a first attempt, Andrea really creates an enjoyable and challenging experience in a mostly well put together environment, it’s not perfect but not far from it so this is a mission that everybody should test if it wasn’t done before.

Playtime: 3 hours



Rating: A B C D E (90%)

Note: for the one interested in the statistic releated with the release here are the details:
                                               enemies ___objectives___secrets_
map 1 : Hydroponic labs_________54/54______ 1/1__________ 2/4
map 2 : Greenhouse____________24/25_______ 1/1_________ 1/2
map 3 : The Arsenal____________70/73________2/2_________ 0/4
map 4 : Terminal 2______________62/62_______2/2_________ 4/5
map 5 : Spare parts factor________56/55_______5/5_________ 2/3
map 6 : Factory Engineering_______29/32_______1/1_________ 0/2
map 7 : High tech academy________80/80______3/3__________0/1
map 8 : Inner City______________134/136_____1/1___________0/0

Double Helix for Opposing Force

***New***

Level name: Double Helix

Author: Richard Hammer

Release date: 26 July 2001

Size: 2 735 ko

Number of maps: 10

website: None

alternative download: note that the readme was include in the pak2 file so I have recompile it with 7z

Story

17TH SEPTEMBER 20--

MESSAGE FOR: AGENT SHEPHERD, ADRIAN

 WE AT THE UNIT ARE GLAD YOU DECIDED TO JOIN US, RATHER THEN SPENT A FEW MORE MONTHS IN CONFINMENT. YOUR MISSION, WHICH YOU WILL ACCEPT, IS TO INFILTRATE THE BASE OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS 'DOUBLE HELIX'. THEY HAVE BEEN LINKED TO A NUMBER OF RECENT THEFTS AND SABOTAGE OPERATIONS IN SCIENTIFIC ESTABLISIHMENTS ACROSS AMERICA. MOST RECENTLY, THE ORGANIZATION KIDNAPPED 5 OF THE WORLDS TOP GENETIC RESEARCHERS. YOU MUST RETRIEVE THESE SCIENTISTS WITH DUE HASTE.
 BE WARNED, THE ORGANIZATION IS A VERITABLE ARMY THAT BEEN RECIEVING FUNDING FROM SOME UNKNOWN BENEFACTOR FOR SOME TIME NOW. FURTHERMORE, WE BELIEVE THE GROUP HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING A NUMBER OF ILLEGAL GENETIC MUTATION EXPERIMENTS. YOU MUST STOP THESE IF YOU CAN.
 AFTER YOU HAVE INFILTRATED THE FACILITY, BACKUP FORCES WILL ENTER THE REAR ENTRANCE OF THE BASE AND RENDEZVOUS WITH YOU. GOOD LUCK, YOU'LL NEED IT.

  OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR,
  THE OMEGA UNIT

Review :

this is the third releae from Richard and it's certainly also the best, He took a lot of attention to the remark that were done regarding the previous release but at then end this one miss a lot of cohesion through poor attention to fixable details and to something just fluid and not a collection of well designed area.

Design: is a mix between some well layout scene and lots of tiny detail missing like more than one missaligned texture...This was something that really estonished me after playing and looking to the screen...you will travel through a lot of well designed area not perfectly crafted but well atmospheric but the way they were put together just miss a good fluidity and storyline, in additon you have a lot of missaligned texture floor and corners witch is really sad regarding the good general design  and also the something poor map change and especially the last one that make in adition the game returning to OS more thatn one time...

Gameplay: is well balanced nothing is really hard here but it's really fun thats why it won't take a long time to get to the end of this one, that, except the minor bugs was quite enjoyable, all feature were well matched and I only will regret that there was no more use of ambushes, traps or simply better use of OF features (under others, new enemies, weapons, and puzzle associeted) 

In conclusion: This collection of maps was fearly enjoyable but could have been a lot more fun if the author would have put some more attention to detail and set of gameplay. for playtime is still well worth to give it a try.

Playtime: 40 minutes



Rating: A B C D E (61%)

Q2 Episode 1 for Quake 4

***New***

Level name: Q2 episode 1 base

Author: Porutchik

Release date: 8 january 2010

Size: 208 873 ko

Number of maps: 3


website: None


download from filefront: here

Story

None it's a remake from the first part of Q2 converted to Quake 4

Review :

Design is quite what it should be so the conversion is a good reproduction from the original Quake2 it's fun to play through this classic FPS for all fans through a more accurate game...it only lack a little from originality, make a new intro cutscene in place of using the the Quake2 associated with the quality of 10 year ago, a 'not so close to the original' approach a better integration of original texture expecially through the fact that there is a high resolution project  available and finally the mission of good sound effect in place of this repetitive till boring music background

Gameplay is well balance and fun to play even if the enemy damage is sometime put quite high witch caused some really thaught challenge but never unbeatable, I would have hope to find back those 'secret place'and have this backward/forward travelling from map to map like it is available in Quake2 but those minor issue could perhaps be more difficult to solve.

In conclusion: the author spended  a lot of time (4 years) to try to convert Quake2 to Quake4 witch seems to have been quite difficult the result even if it suffer from minor issues is quite enjoyable and so if you have still Quake4 install and would like to have a good action fighting in a not perfect but above average environment, this experience is for you.

Playtime: 1 hour



Rating: A B C D E (68%)

The Xen Campains for Opposing Force

***New***

Level name: The xen campain

Author: Red Sky Projects

Release date: 21 spetember 2003

Size: 13 367 ko

Number of maps: 14

website: None

alternative download:


Story

*********************************************************
Incoming Transmission
*********************************************************

Classification: Classified

Date: 3/2/3 PBM (Post Black Mesa)
Assignment: 20316A- RETAKE AND INVESTIGATE

Subject’s History: 3 years after black Mesa, Adrian Shepherd was been assigned to a remote outpost on an outer Xen Moon. Reason For Assignment: Convoys to inner Xen world bases have been disappearing, confirming the reports that the massing Xeno Armies have been strategically attacking and taking control of the Terran Space Force bases.

Objectives: Primary- Retake Xen Base Alpha

Secondary- Investigate the source behind the massing of forces and the  attacks on the TSF bases.

Outcome: Unconfirmed….

*********************************************************
End Transmission
*********************************************************

Review :

this team wanted to send back caporal Sheperd to an outpost called xen but most of us didn't really like this HL part wish was certainly a part of the challenge of this addon to make us like something that we didn't too much like
Design: is most of the time pretty average and sadly decrease in quality when we reach the end (last maze before the end scene) several location looks ok but never enhance the quality for this release several touch where still enjoyable but more on an external way to put the storyline through on text message and cutscene the way the team also wanted to stay to close to xen original theme and is lak of original texturing also make the whole unit suffer from creativity.

Gameplay: is well challenging most of the time and also sometime try to be not too classic by integrating some team fights, puzzling but hopefully no jumping. For the puzzle they also may look frustrating through the fact it's not always easy to understand what to do and especially with the Tentacle (just keep in mind that you need there to find the barnacle , that is needed after for another puzzle, and kill the tentacle) but expet this experience it never turn to frustration and was quite pleasant. regarding the fludity of the gameplay the items placement and special cases it was OK

In conclusion: This addon felt just a little bit to light in mapping consistance, gameplay feature and interest.
I think like in a big amount of maps and mod authors really were immersing into there job for the first part and after that wanted to make it  more and more perfect but this leads to an increase in time spending that at the end turns to a rushing to finish stuff because of loosing interest regarding the time spend. It's not from great quality but if you have an our or two to spend playing something it could satisfy you.

Playtime: 2 hours



Rating: A B C D E (58%)

The Katagean Redoubt for Quake1

***New***

Level name: The Katagean Redoubt

Author: Chris 'Simulacrum' Houston

Release date: 04 March 2008

Size: 1 465 ko

Number of maps: 1

website: None


download:
from quaddicated

Story

YOU BIG SHOOTY MAN GOOD GOOD SHOOT NOW NO DIE FAILURE NOT OPTIONAL OP3N D00Rz L0lz

Review :
The author who did several attempt back in the early 2000 wanted to get a little expereince in order to apply to some gaming industry job, He so decided to get back into design and especially for Quake 1 regarding the success of his release he wanted to extend this map to a small episode but nothing shines since then
Design: The architecture is a mix between e1m3 and e1m4 brigging some Castle base design full of those green bricks and wood floor, It can easilly be consider as 'old school' regarding the inspiration comming from the original level.  The layout is neat and impressive featuring a well interconnected castle full of nasty surprise and secrets places (8). A lot of attention has been put into this one to create some wonderfull places to visit and this with an up and down view regarding the way you progress...Action even if perfectly balance nearly doesn't take place outdoor and doesn't really provides a lot of mechanism and trigger effects (both would have certainly increase the skill of the author and the way we can judge his skill). But this is only a personnal point of view and only minor aspect regarding the whole unit.

Gameplay is a good mix beween fight and progression in a quite linear way at first and after (regrading the central room and the access through keys) more unlinear. Weapons give is progressive sothat you need to really take care to enemies and the ways you use each weapons...This time I had not that much problems finding the secrets places which is also from the 'old school' approach. The fights where pretty well balance and most of the time easy to predict when they should be more challenging but even in this way the last battle was a real nightmere....The way the gameplay was balanced was perfectly fitting to my way of playing and it was therefore a pure playtime delight
In conclusion: this release should really encourage everybody to try to handle some mapping experience, the author come back after 7 year and a short immersing time  to produce a enjoyable challenging experience in a well crafted environment it's certainly not perfect but in the way the author used his skill he did it in a remarkzble manner.


 Statistics on normal skill:   playtime 33' 03''    secrets 6/8     kills 133/136 

Playtime: 40 minutes

Rating: A B C D E (88%)

Arkot_Catlekeep for RTCW

***New***

Level name: Arkot_Catlekeep

Author: Arkot 24 (Reedited by Vicpas)

Release date: 04 June 2006

Size: 10 165 ko

Number of maps: 1

website: None


alternative download:


Author's Desciption

This map is my first work in single player maps . This was made in about 3 month's time on and off and was created to learn more about single player mapping


Review :

Design: Regarding this one the way is was design looks more like an early stage of mapping, it's more a collection of squared rooms put together with the needed stuff with just here and there some different touch and especially the wood stair to access the second floor. Most of the action take place indoor with some outdoor view, general layout and architecure even if I might be consider as basic, provides all we would like to find from brakable objects to secret places, lighting is also good so that on an average level everything is nice several content where still for me above average and especially the intro objective map (sadly not in english) and the small cutscene when you activate the access to the storage area.

Gameplay: is well balanced all items and enemies are waiting for you where they should be, to progression is quite free and not to oriented (different way of progression until the last objective exit). So finally the gameplay is well put together with the design to provide an enjoyable experience more base on an action fighting than on a action thinking and looking.objective being also mostly evident to find and do.

In conclusion: A well balanced expeirence map correctly related between gameplay and design, don't except any 'waouw' while you progress but in the otherway you won't get bored while playing this one.

Playtime: 40 minutes



Rating: A B C D E (72%)

OPOF for RTCW

***New***

Level name: OPOF

Author: Jakub 'Thompson' Poniatowski

Release date: 4 August 2004


Size: 1 027 ko

Number of maps: 1


website: Author's profile


filefront download: here

Story

None

Review :

Design: it's a quite short release with starting  in a kind of inside place of a Castle were some german and stuffs are waiting for you after that you need to find an entrance to the Cave and secret operating center the  interconnection isn't perhaps that good and the starting place look a little to boxy and without any surounding view even if detail and realism is well used. the switch to the lower part is a bit ectic  but what follow even if a little repetitive is well done the attention to the wine cave, the meeting room and all breakable stuffs and secrets really put in advance the real volonty from the author to do it's best

Gameplay: quite short...some tiny challenge in the outside area and after it become more obvious excpet what you really need to do so go into each corner to find some secret and activating system, after you will need to travel a little to find the exit witch will done finished with the status page.

In conclusion: I really think the author wanted to make something more important but certainly trough lack of time just release a short but well done RTCW experience...sadly it's too short and the was really a lot of potential.

Playtime: 10 minutes



Rating: A B C D E (68%)

new poll and info

So I have started a new poll...just wanted to know how you came here

In addition I Have add a new feature perhaps up to date (is it still?)that allow you to follow this blog update more easily, but if you use a reader with RSSfeed I don't think it's highly usefull, except for me to share some other small information that doesn't really need A blog update.

Breakfast at twilight for Quake 1

***New***

Name: Breafast at Twilight

Author: Peter 'Hrimfaxi' Sörensen

Release date: 12 September 2007

Size: 4 856 ko

Number of maps: 1+ 1start map

website: None


download:
from quaddicated

Additionnal pack required :
quoth is necessary to play correctly this one...and a bunch of recent releases

Story

Not really - just shoot anything!
Review :

Design:  In one word : Wonderfull !!! and shine directly through the statring map where you can choose your skill.
The Place is quite huge and will provide a large area that need to be discover by accessing key protected area, the fact that you sometime can seen trough windows balcony and other view what is awaiting you is well crafted.

The outdoor and indoor scene are well put together to make you admire the places you are going to travel through, architecture and use of textures really creation some intense visual moment, lightning is also well provided. The skybox is perfectly fitting the theme and name of the map...Visually everything looks really great some more sound or background atmosphere would even add a more immersive feeling but this would only be a tiny touch.

Gameplay: like the design it's solid, with over 160 monsters on normal setting the battle to survive and progress will be quite hard the use of new monsters and there placement was also well done lot's of secret zone are there to provide you with some addition qwest if you are able to find them (witch wasn't my case), the surprise is just behind every corner and this will only reinforce your desire to finish the map. Battle are sometimes surprising, sometime tough, through the difficluty to move and fight back but it was the aim wasn't it? to be able to play this type of release you should be prepare through the challenge and difficult to deserve whats next

In conclusion: after several play through Peter's release I'm now a total fan of is mapping skill  that remind me from another great mapper Shaun 'Kona' Ross this one is without no doubt a must play and extremely invite you to reinstall Quake 1 for the amount of great release that still need to be revisited or/and review

 Statistics on Normal skill:   playtime 48' 40''    secrets 2/11     kills 166/166 

Playtime: 1 hour 20 minutes



Rating: A B C D E (94%)

Star scream for Quake 1

***New***

Level name: Star scream

Author: Dustin 'Ttronyn' Geeraert

Release date: 07 Mai 2003

Size: 329 ko

Number of maps: 1

website: None anymore


download:
from quaddicated

Story

None...a map oriented to be playing with all support so perfectly design for SP Coop and MP

Review :

Design: It's a short map with mostly a linear gameplay from the top to the bottom of a kind of 'space castle' Architecture is well put together and reminds me of some UT deathmatch maps, it creates a immersive highlight Castle, indoor is limited but outdoor, especially regarding the small size, is well interconnected. Lightning is put were it should be and if the use of texture is limited it give perfectly the ambiance we like.

Gameplay is wellbalanced with a design from the bottom to the top. You will need to get rid of enemies that are most of the time attacking you from above, additionnally it's quite easy if you move too much to fall down into space and die, this add a bit of challenge. It's still quite an easy map in normal mod with limited amount of enemies. All freatures are put where they needed to provide a good single play experience

In conclusion: short and enjoyable what else do we need if we want a break.


 Statistics on normal skill:   playtime 5' 27''    secrets 0/1     kills 35/35 

Playtime: 10 minutes



Rating: A B C D E (70%)

Human Error: Ep 1 Fpr Half-Life 2 Ep2

***New***

Level name: Human Error: Episode 1

Author: Half-Life Short Stories Team

Release date: 8 February 2010


Size: 334 893 ko

Number of maps: 7


website: here


download: at planetphillip

Story
Some chose to resist, others chose to collaborate; to yield to the Combine and enforce their rule and will. One such body is the Civil Protection unit, an arm of the Overwatch that maintains order in the Cities. In Human Error, become part of a small Civil Protection team that is pitted against the remains of the Xenian forces, who are making a last ditch effort to escape Earth. Utilize a variety of new tools such as controllable manhacks, and use new vehicles such as the APC.


Review :

Design: Looking back to Duke Nukem and the first age of FPS we found a lot of release that came with some new features and was called back Total Conversion... this one totally reminds me from this approach, new enemies, weapons, textures, voice acting...  It was a long time ago since I had this particular feeling playing a free release that integrates a full custom content. The story behind was perhaps not that clear (at least for me) with Andrew's girl through flashback and appearance with a little F.E.A.R. because sometimes you have some doubt about her real thaught (good or bad).
The overall design can always been critisize especially when you have a lot of custom content, people think that everything should always been from high quality especially when it seems more difficult to create some custom content that to create maps. It this way it's clear that human error never make you travel through unique location from high atmosphere like you can encounter them in the original Episode 2...Location are really from a classic bottle perhaps sometimes too dark, witch is for me part of the atmosphere but will decrease the feeling of general layout and detail, this wasn't for me disapointing because I was happy with what it was. Addition to the General layout Human error comes with a lot of new created content and this is was I really loved.
Starting with the new models from enemies to weapons to the cusomized overuse power generator, the pilotable NPC and Manhacks, the sniper rifle sadly unuse through a dedicated gameplay area and the attention to modelling of all main characters. All of them were quite well done and also gave a good turn back to half life first experience.

Gameplay: The fact you play as a combine was still perturbating and this something i don't like to, like playing as a german in a WW2 game, I think it's part of our 'the bad and the good' approach witch can sound as nonsense regarding the fact that FPS gaming is just a 'killing' game  witch is certainly not good...But all in all this 'combine team' appoach with some differents main characters add this cooperative gameplay I really like in the more recent FPS gaming experience, sadly in my appoach if you part of a combine team it's a kind of squad where the main aim is too be efficient (move and act without thinking too loud) and not to talk like if you where on a happy journey, It's sure it add a better filling than to play without any 'sound environment' but for me  it's unrealistic...
With this team apporach you will also be able to conduct the NPC (cool experience), to drive the manhack through vent and stuff, an amazing experience through the difficulty of  third dimension mouvement and also through the limited angle of view  this was really a great moment of inovative gameplay.
Even if it was sometimes challenging, also by the fact you cannot carry out all weapons but need to choose, it was also a little disapointing with the too easy end battle gameplay sometimes also went to 'what's next now?' feeling where you turn arround and after turn to external help to find what to do (happens ones) but all in all the fluidity of all those feature dropped into the game while you progress was perfrectly timed to create a not perfrect but still unique experience.
There are certainly a lot of things to improve but the challenge was put on a high live through integrating a lot of new features, trying to make a background storyline,  an interesting gampelay and give the whole first episode a good structure, even if not perfrect through voice talking, mission, combats and puzzles

In conclusion: Even if there are a lot of things that could have been done better, the fresh new content really add a woaw feeling when I encounter it sothat I defenitly consider this mod as a personal favorite and can only recommend it clearly and hope we won't wait too much for Episode two.

Playtime: 2 hours 30 minutes



Rating: A B C D E (94%)

Biotoxin for Quake1

***New***

Level name: Biotoxin

Author: Christian 'CZG' Grawert

Release date: 03 April 2001

Size: 550 ko

Number of maps: 1

website: None anymore


download:
from quaddicated

Author's Note

My entry for 100 brush V2.00 contest:

Biotoxin - Where toxic waste comes to die, and to be pumped out into earths ecosystem.

Review :

Design: It's an hundred brush competition so it may look quite limited but Christian is a master so everything is well put together in a limited base a lot influenced by Quake2 (the author even use some Q2 textures) everything is well oriented to make you travel through, enjoy the lightning and even some little effects with on text messag. Enemies placements, weapons and ammo/health is put were they should to create some challenge but not too much...

Gameplay is perfectly balance increasing while you progress puzzle are only there to make you travel from up to down, it's really enjoyable and never frustrating with in some spot a nasty surprise what elese should we expect from a limited competition enjoyable well eyes looking and not frustrating.

In conclusion: I'm really a fan of those base map for Quake 1 and this one, build by one of my favorite quake author, even if quite short isn't an exception. Short, fun and sweet the ideal break for the people, like me , that don't have a lot of playtime.


 Statistics:   playtime 10' 30''    secrets 0/0     kills 54/54 

Playtime: 20 minutes



Rating: A B C D E (91%)

hrim_sp4 - For Love of Evil for Quake1

***New***

Level name: hrim_sp4 - For Love of Evil

Author: Peter 'Hrimfaxi' Sørensen

Release date: 01/01/2010

Size: 5 645 ko

Number of maps: 3 + 1start level

website: here


download: here



Author's Note

this collection of maps were build over 5 years... and have been finally put together in this pack

For Love of Evil: The main map a large map mostly ID metal textures but also some textures by Kell and others.

Voidscape: A turtle map made in two days in 2004. Se the included Readme file below.

Brownie: A map intented for the sm128 session bur it wasn't finished at the time andabout half a year later I made it into a turtlemap (build it within a week)

Start: This map was made for this release within a weeks time.

These maps are totally unrelated and wil not follow each other when you play.
They all play independently.

Separated Review :

Start short and sweet it's from here you will enter the skill selection that for myself I let on the normal challenge.


Brownie is the first one I played, I will consider this one as a classic map through it's gameplay featuring a castle full of those evily surprise that can provide Quake 1.
Design is oriented arround a well crafted castle made of custome texture. Several place of view really give a nice touch, the general layout even if limited through the contest it was firstly build for, creates a nice atmosphere that could perhaps been a little enhanced by a more gloomy skybox.
Gameplay is for me quite classic but its what I like, never too hard but well balanced, the challenge will increase with your progression, the weapons you find and the keys to acces new places. the final battle may look too easy in the way you approach the fight but ones more this way is the one i prefer in comparaison with an open area where you only possibility to survive is a mix between run and shoot.

Statistics:    playtime 13'40''   secrets 0/1   kills 52/52

For love of Evil like the author's tell this is the larger and the main one. Eveything has been put in this one, base on a metal atmosphere, the author has put a lot of effort to created an enjoyable but not repetitive gameplay through fights and traps that need to be solved with a minimum of thinking.
Design even if the texture theme used may limit the interest was really well put toghether to show some wonderfull place to visit with some nice architecture in several place that really increase the atmosphere though their size,especially in height, lightning is good but some effect could have been put there to create one'smore a better gloomy feeling (but it wasn't perhaps suppose too).
Key, button and secret hunting will also face some challenging and unexpected event, but the fluidity through all those events was perhaps a little too expected.
For the gameplay this one like the previous really put the gameplay I like not unbeatable with some good challenge and some break and here and there some triggered event that need some small thinking, only those secret seems for me too difficult to find, but too be honest I really didn't look for them...ammo and health were perfectly available where we really needed them

Statistics:     playtime 35'02''   secrets 1/9    kills 130/133

VoidScape the last and the shortest and an original layout in space it was tiny to quite clostrophobic in some place but perftcly challenging and put together.
Designed like a passage lost in a mountain just put somewhere on a tiny flotting planet Peter was able to create something unique played fully outdoor with some jumping puzzle and havy fight in restricted area...with a totally different approach he was able to catch our attention for and quite enjoyable experience even if it was short and hard in someplace thorugh well placed ammo and health.

Statistics:      playtime  10' 48''  secret 0/1    kills 32/32

In conclusion: An enjoyable expeirence played arround different theme put together in  a single pack...It helped me at least rediscover Quake1,  with some fun an pleasure it's well worth if you are fan to test this one

Playtime: 1h 30 minutes



Rating: A B C D E (86%)


Note: thanks to Quakis

I finally could handle to have the mouse look...I know it may sound stupid but this was the most reason i didn't touch Quake1 anymore...just try it without mouse look...for the one who don't know how just open the console and type +mlook

Half-Life 2 : Episode two

HL2 : Episode 2 Personal review

Publisher : Valve

Release date : september 2007

Developper : Valve

Recommanded reiquirements for XP:

• CPU 2.4 Ghz Processor  
  
• 512 Mb
  
• DirectX 9 128 Mb
  

Test: Made on average skill using the default setting on my computer [ AMD64 3400+ - 2Gb Ram - GEforce 6 128 Mb] some really small slowdown just limited to the resume episode one at start .


Cost: Include into the orange box sell arround 30€ or if you have a steam account just wait like a did to some anniversary were valve propose the game at a really low price got it for 4€


Orange Box Info
--------------------

Half-Life® 2: Episode Two is the second in a trilogy of new games created by Valve that extends the award-winning and best-selling Half-Life® adventure.

As Dr. Gordon Freeman, you were last seen exiting City 17 with Alyx Vance as the Citadel erupted amidst a storm of unknown proportions. In Episode Two, you must battle and race against Combine forces as you traverse the White Forest to deliver a crucial information packet stolen from the Citadel to an enclave of fellow resistance scientists.

Episode Two extends the award-winning Half-Life gameplay with unique weapons, vehicles, and newly-spawned creatures.



Design
--------

Through 18 maps, you will be once more dropped into the Half-Lfe experience just after the train crash that happens at the end of the little disapointing Episode one. This time you mission will be surprising in term of happening and  discovering what's next. The design is still pure classic Half-Life but the new texture used, new enemies and skyboxes really creates some marvelous scenes that really gives a fresh breathe to a games that doesn't seems anymore up to date. Travels through all kind of new area from outdoor (most) to indoor (like the interesting travel through those caverns) really creates a catching experience enhanced by the help of Alix Vance that will guide and help you during this whole unit...she has also beter in her woman's rule...talking a lot.
The cutscenes, new caracters (include enemies) really add values to this opus and help really to minimize the fact that the gameplay hasn't really been improve and is still made out of the same bottle witch his a mix between search, fight and solve in a quite oriented gaming environment
No real new weapons of feature for our friend Gordon just some improvement. The mission is a little more cooperative to the fact that somebody is most of the time behind you to orient a little the gameplay...I'm still waiting for the automatic gun of Alix and hope we will be able to play with it in next chapter

Gameplay
--------------
Gameplay is what we have got before except that here, there is a kind of bigger orientation of what's the next step and this mainly through Alix intervention. There will be some special surprise in this opus and more psychology will interfere this time because you are now really part of this team that will save the world and also because you are the most relyable people to help them in this qwest.
On you qwest two new enemies (not taking in account this fast zombieguard bomber) are waiting for you one in the caverns another in those outdoor section both will make you life less easier and this is certainly another good point even if somewhere it nearly turn into a frustrating experience with that end battle to save the launch base...
 We can certainly regret that there is no new weapons and that in place of and inhanced car there wasn't something really new (moto, quad, truck...) but even if those small imporvment could felt a little disapointing it was certainly 10 times better than the new features of Episode one. We could have also hope for some weather changing but the rain or snwo wont fall during this episode.

In conclusion:

This is perhaps not a simple game with all it's feature but simply an new episode for a  well know game so the change are not really that important.
Still through some minor addition and change Valve really could add some additional value to a game that was really waiting for it after a little disapointing first Episode.
The fact that some external even took place in this one, that external intervention of team mate (Alix, Vortigaunt, Scientists ) orienting the gameplay in a quite enhanced designed environment makes from this mission a must have addon for all real Half-Life fan, Playtime was just good like this quite difficult end battle that nearly turns into frustration...the interesting ending just letting you brain full of upcoming hypothesis with has guidline Alix just let us hope it won't stay long before Episode 3 comes out. Don't hesitated  to get this game through steam  if you have the opportunity and just keep in mind that through a lot of  excellent custom maps and mods HL fans simply wanted to thank valve to have finally developped and interesting and enjoyable (through it's usable content) addon.

Playtime: 7 hours

Rating:

Too Many Crates for Half-Life 2

***New***

Level name: Two many crates

Author: Kyle AKA The Awesome Possum

Release date: 2 January 2010

Size: 13 059 ko

Number of maps: 1

website: None anymore


download at palnetphillip.com: here

Story

none behind you are just in a warehouse full of crates and you only aim is to break them, but pay attention there are some particular crates that can open well hidden place, you aim is simple just try to destroy all of them (1000)

Review :

I need to admin that after a first rush i just didn' t directly understand that you need not only to break but only to think what to do end when to brake, so I really after 10min wanted to stop this one...

Design

Even if the main objective in this map is to brake crates the author didn't only focus on it but also create an enjoyable 'crates depot' where you will need to walk arround pushing button to activate some chain transport or conveyor belt or transport colored box that have different use it's certainly not a big map but the way you travel through really makes you like it a lot the author also well squale the entire map and pay attention to those unreachable area, the well organized building with travel on 3 floors and small detail like the truck

Gameplay

We all like to smash those crates to find something behind but when you have so much to brake could it be also fun...the answers was for me without no doubt, after a second more thinking try: YES.
You hav really to think in wich order you will make you work and also you will fast find some special colored crates that have a particulary behavior and use of them magic, exploding, burning,attaking...

there is also some voice help in some case (not always from perfect understanding) and the motivation when you reach a certain amount of braking crates  travel through elevator or stair also is a question of personnal aproach  and will certainly increase you gaming time.

In conclusion: Regrading this special mission a too highly detailed review will certainly spoil a lot of enjoyement so there is anything to detail more just make you best through thinking and braking to reach those 1000 broken crates.

Playtime: 2 hours

Rating: A B C D E (87%)