Tangent for Half-Life 2

***Previously reviewed on my french blog***

Level name: Tangent

Author: Nick 'Daedleback' Williams

Release date: 12 April 2006

Size: 6361 ko

Number of maps: 1


website: none active anymore


download: from Planetphillip

Author's note:
This level was created as coursework for my Games Engines & Physics module at Staffordshire University as part of my Computer Games Design degree. The brief was to create a level in the source engine (we had created a level in the Unreal engine in the first semester) based around Staffordshire University, Beaconside campus. The level is set several months before the events of Half-Life 2 and the player is briefed via Text messages received on their phone from various sources.”

Story

“From: Student Union - 26/03/09 20:15The combine have been oppressing the students at this university for several years now. The vast majority of students couldn’t be bothered to get out of bed to fight the overlords, but now they have reason. The oppressors have denied the sale of alcohol on the university premises. The time to fight has come. Fight your way to the Lounge and Legends bars and turn on all beer taps.”

Review :

This was another school project based on a preview UT2004 release from Nick. The story behind is quite simple, before all what we know about HL, students parts of a university already got a huge conflict against the administration that wanted to prohibit the consumption of alcohol, Rebellion will fight against the authority to free the whole university.

Design even if this map wasn't completed totally is well balance between outdoor and indoor with a good looking layout and design...The univestity theme was perhaps a little under visited and went a little bit more to a industrial theme which is not a problem at all and won't bother you since the experience is more than failry enjoyable.

Gameplay was well balance with a sort of new hud featuring transmision message (sms type) that wil orient your mission the rest is from the classic bottle and is a mix between fight against combine and puzzle solving to progress in a linear way. The mission end a little abruptly after the Antlion guard fight there is a simple switch to push and thats all.

In conclusion: back then there wasn't still a lot of stuff available for HL2 and this experience even if short was certainly a good enjoyable one, another good find from the snark pit. The author appologize for the little bugs than can be found and the abrupt ending but the main school objective was achieve and succeed so that the author lost interest and switched to new projects.

Playtime: 20 minutes

Rating: A B C D E (74%)

Light For Quake 2

***NEW!!!***

Level name: Light for Awakening SP mod

Author: Jed Kirchner

Release date: 13 August 2000

Size: 2 582 ko

Number of maps: 1


website: none active anymore


download:



Important Note:

To play this one you need a official mod called Awakening sp and since you got this one it came also with a separate single palyer release both can be find at the Official website should also be tried for a short, enjoyable moment note there is an awaken2 version only limited to Multiplayer

Story:

This map takes place a few years before the events of Quake when the government conductedthe first slipgate test in an abandoned mining colony on one of the moons of Jupiter. Thisconcentrated release of energy emanating from our star system was what first alerted the Stroggas to our presence. They immediately came to the conclusion that any race advanced enough tobuild such a powerful device posed a serious threat to their civilization and should bedestroyed. They also discovered that by locking on to the gate's signal they might be able touse it to their advantage. That's where your story begins. I guess.
. . .
It's been a few days since the sounds of gunfire stopped and you've decided it's safe toassume that the creatures have taken over the entire complex. You're not sure why they're stillkeeping a few of you alive but the other day you saw them collecting the bodies of your comradesso they apparently have some use for humans, dead ones anyway. They also somehow forgot tosearch you for weapons so you still have your pistol and a full clip of bullets. That clip lookskinda useless now, however, since you'll only need one bullet to use on yourself when the timecomes.
You're suddenly startled by some sort of inhuman yell and look up to see that theforcefield for your cell has shorted out and two creatures, both bent on eliminating you nodoubt, are headed in your direction. You waste no time in emptying your clip into the twomontrosities and cautiously emerge from the cell. Then it suddenly dawns upon you that you havenowhere to go. You know for a fact that the shuttlecraft, the only means of getting off theplanet, were all either taken or destroyed leaving you in more or less the same situation youwere in a few minutes ago.
Then you remember the slipgate. It wasn't thought that it could transmit organic matterbut those things, whatever they are, seem to have proven otherwise. You're not real eager to meetwhat's on the other side of thing but it seems like a slightly better idea than staying where youare. Especially if the government decides to destroy the base, something you gather they've beennotorious for in the past. As you grow accustomed to your surroundings you realize that you'resituated just a few rooms away from where the slipgate is stored. It shouldn't be that hard tofight your way there... should it?

Review :

This is the third release of Jed(idah) Kitchner and regarding the two previous one
Burial at Sea and Cranky Steve's Haunted Warehouse (both reviewed at 10/4 maps) I was really hoping on something special and highly enjoyable. After palying the map, even if it was a quite interesting release, it won't let me a memorable experience.

Design Is a mix of a small texturing choice handled with a wide, upon several floor, Industrial complex that isn't far away from several high detail custom map from Q1. Everything is well polished and creates a impressive complex perhaps a little to empty especially regarding box and items that can add a real complex feeling. Architecture is well crafted but without any tremendous places you will stil have some impressive vue and a not too repetitive environment to walkthrough.

Gameplay is oriented in a non linear multipath choice way (all way will lead to the final quest). Lot's of enemies will try to brake you progression (166 in normal skill) and will hold you busy enough without any boredom. All items are well placed, like great looking weapons (all new from the awakening mod) really powerfull (too much). The objective are simple but the path to release them will look a little more complicate and the more you progress the challenging it will be there are 2 well hidden secret places to increase your quest if you want...I didn't find them.

In conlcusion: This is a great map with a correct challenging gameplay. it just miss in my opinion a better use of the high quality texturing that came with awakening and at the end all visited places where to similar with a grey touch that easily could lead you to boredom. A quite good but not a great experience finally.

Note: I encounter a sad issue that I wasn't able to reload my savings and this 3times so that i was obliged to complete it without dying.

Playtime: 50 minutes

Rating: A B C D E (81%)

create your own playlist on your blog with Deezer

Finally I succeed in creating a playlist using Deezer

It took me a while to understand how it works and how I could add my playlist to this site but when you understand it's quite easy to do and ...to share

Here are the step in case you would like to make the same

1 ->First you need to create your account at the above mentioned site it's a simple free registration

2 -> After you create your playlist by simple using the search engine to find track and album you're looking for

3 -> finally you copy the full link in the share 'Partager' section that you see on the picture below and in your block add a widget and just use the Html/javascript widget put a Title a short description and copy the embeded code given and that's it


Hope this will help people to do the same at their blogs ;)

Website of the moment

I thaught it would be an interesting idea to share some links, stuffs or infos that could be usefull to all visitors of this place. This message will serve also as an archive for all relevent informations to keep an eyes on. I'm also looking to add a section where I could share my 'music from the moment' where I could simply put author's name and album's name with some short part of dedicated songs like when you go to itunes store...if anybody knows about a blogger gadget to do this i'm interested.

Will certainly add soon a poll gadget to better interact with readers of this page.

date 19/02/10 : Sixth website of the moment   After more than 10 years Quake 1 has still a quite active community but a lot of information are spread all over the net and it's not always that evident to find the right info at the right moment, there has been a solution for quite a while so if you need anything related to Quake1 just pass at Quake terminus , I'm pretty sure you will find the info, site, map, stuff...that you need.


date 24/09/09 : Fifth website of the moment  This one really seems to be the hugest collection according FPS everything is referenced here since the first FPS till now (there is hundreds of them referenced from offical one to even particular addon only available in certain country), everything can't be nearly find here or at least some information, download are also published but sometime it may need a quite bit of time if you want to download it or it can only be linked to torrent system whish are not always erfectly secured...so it's on your own risk so just take a look at 3d Shooter Legends , I'm ptretty sure you will find the addon you never found before.


date 01/06/09 : fourth website of the moment Nothing really exeptionnal but so handfull if you play an offocial game, look for easter eggs or want some perfectly fitting screenshots it's really an ants works and deserve easily some attention Visual Walktrough for the most classic games You wont need it regulary but perhaps like for me on one day it will be very usefull


date 23/04/09 : third website of the moment regarding the previous link to those old FPS games from first generation if you are looking to the game based on the build engine the biggest ressources is certainly Ressources for Total Conversions and Mods page nearly all good thinks from building to playing is here available a must for every fan


date 01/04/09 : second website of the momentHere is an interesting web page oriented to all loved old FPS and related port to make them more playable with actual OS
FPS Ports

date 19/03/09 : first website of the momentI will start with Nem's tools a site dedicated to...tools used for mappers and especially the one usung the valve enginefrom terrain generator to file viewer and compiler there seems to be a quite interesting link of stuff here
Nem's tools


for previous datas : Archive

Uplink extended for Half-Life

***Revisited from a french review I made in 2006***

Title: HL : Uplink extended

Author: MuzzleFlash

Release date: 21 october 2006

Size: 4 566 ko

Number of maps: 3


website: at author's page

download: from author's page

Author's Note:

What is Half-Life: Uplink Extended?Well, it is my personal remake of the original Uplink, also known as the Half-LifeDemo. I did this remake because i really enjoy the original Uplink. First: it is thefirst "Half-Life" i've ever played. Second: I just love the atmosphere and its simplestoryline. Since im a mapper, i always look at other people mapping. In thiscase: Valve's mapping, which is kinda... bad. So i decided to make my own version ofHL: Uplink with interesting looking architecture. Gameplay and entity work is stillpretty much the same. There are a couple of changes here and there. I hope you'reok with that. And trust me, everything is build from scratch by my! So, if you enjoyedthe orginal Uplink, you gotta love my remake. ;-)

Review :

Like it's told this is a revisited version from the first 'official addon that was available with Half-Life (Kind of first demo that was made as a starter for Half_life and was after put back but remains on a HD so that it was added to the second or third official version of Half-Life)... I didn't replay the original uplink before reviewing this one so this review hasn't any aim of compare both releases, it's just what I thaught about.

Design was really enjoyable regarding this first official release from the author, It's really close to the official valve design but with a personnal touch, full of tiny detail, that want's to make this one nearly perfect and with no slowing framerate. You fast get immersed in this small episode with a more than enjoyable design a well as balanced theme, it's a mix between outdoor and indoor, lot's of interconnected trigger event, all in all in a non too linear experience.

Gameplay is also classic with an increasing challenge with some hot spot, mostly all enemies available in Half-Life are here present and puzzle will add what is needed to make this one not turn down as a simple grunt feast...The end is close to the first opus and let a certain doubt about some future follow up

In conclusion: A perfect challenging project that to try to rebuild an extend an original work from valve. MuzzleFlash totally succeed in this quest of the holy graal with a strong, enjoyable experience that will give you a memorable, perhaps a little short, experience.

Playtime: 40 minutes

Rating: A B C D E (88%)

FarCrab demo for Half-Life

***NEW!!!***

Title: FarCrab Demo

Author: Killermapper

Release date: 30 October 2008

Size: 28 536 ko

Number of maps: 5


website: at author's page

download: at author's page

link for future progress: at MODDB

patch for english translation:
just replace the Titles.txt file from you FCdemo2 folder with this one

Story:

I Won't tell you a lot about it, this mod is a slight conversion from Farcry. It contains a well detailed (perhaps too much) storyline that i won't spoil here

Review :

I was honestly surprise by this small demo that really introduce to an intesting experience ful of sea and sun.

Design is quite classic and create a good mix not too squary of a lost island. there is no real tremendous layout here and some places may look a little too repetitive but choice in texturing add an enjoyable fresh touch. It's still just a demo that won't add a lot through it's short playtime, but from what we see it's certainly promising

Gameplay is really simple and classic this was also not the real aim of this demo so that apart from finding your way and making some jumps, you won't encounter much to do here. just follow the on screen storyline and enjoy this small little demo

In conclusion: A nice and fresh touch fell with this demo, the progress of this mod is slow and constant and I just hope there will be a future update but nothing is planned in the near future...

Playtime: 15 minutes

Rating: A B C D E (70%)

Campagne première partie for Opposing Force

***NEW!!!***

Title: Campain First part

Author: caco

Release date: 17 may 2008

Size: 1 391 ko

Number of maps: 3


website: none

download: at vosmaps.fr

Story:

None mentionned (no TXT avaialble) you just wake up in black mesa for a kind of different mission that the one you are normally doing.

Review :

This small release was made using tutoriails made by a french site called le siteduzero Its a quite short experience but except the starting place design was quite good for a beginner map architecture is perhaps a little too boxy and a little too linear but texturing and scale are quite good make it fun to walkthrough.

Gameplay is quite limited, you progress in a quite easy way with no real puzzle and as only enemies some zombies...easy to beat you will reach quite fast the end of developpement when you need to explose box and the crack doesn't apears in the wall

In conclusion:I really hope this one will end and provide some puzzles and more fighting challenge because the design and ideas are already there and enjoyable.

Playtime: 15 minutes

Rating: A B C D E (65%)

Serengrove for Doom3

***NEW!!!***

Title: Serengrove

Author: Andrew Hill

Release date: 2 December 2007

Size: 43 519 ko

Number of maps: 1


website: none

download: at Map-Factory

Story:

"The night has grown dark and cold by the time you arrive at the fortress city of Serengrove. Wind and dark shadows are all that occupy the empty streets in absence of the usual bustling activity. The fortress walls stand unguarded, merchant's wares lie abandoned at the Western Gates, and the foul stench of decay lingers in the cool midnight breeze."

Greetings, and thankyou for taking the time to have a look at my work! Serengrove is a Tudor themed map for Doom3 with lots of custom models, textures, animations, sounds and nasty surprises. I hope you have as much fun trying to survive this map as I did making it.

Review :

Looking to the size of the download and the screenshots available at map factory I hesitated a lot to play this one thinking it was a long hard and frutstating experience...sadly for me I was totally wrong so i lost over a year before playing this suprsising release

The author wanted to create something more part of the past than the future with a look to a middle age design with a sweet clever touch from Harry Potter world (that what I feel mixing ambiance, talking animals and monsters in a cold darked ambiance). Design is perfectly feeting and add consistance through the way the experience and architecture is put together, using a lot of custom content.
Texturing is great with a lot of attention to details, atmosphere is perfect and you have always the feeling to travel through some cold to even freezing environment The architecture is above average even if a little repetitive, additionaly some voice acting and modified models add a spicy touch to this package.

Gameplay is evident, you recieve some briefing and need activate stuff to open door and go further feature are well placed everywhere and will take your attention and travelling time to find them all, whish will make the final a little easier gameplay increase a little with progression but never become frsutrating. It's a mostly streight forward experience well enhanced by enemy respawn...It's a classic experience according gameplay with no good or bad surprise just a little too easy but i won't complain from that

In conclusion: This one is really a good surprise with a personal touch and atmosphere it's defenetly a recommanded one.


Playtime: 40 minutes


Rating: A B C D E (88%)

Failure for Half-Life

***NEW!!!***

Title: Failure

Author: Benoit 'DaMnation' Champagne

Release date: 16 August 2001

Size: 3 124 ko

Number of maps: 5


website: none anymore

download: at planetphillip

Story:

You have failed. the Nihilanth still lives. Fortunately, before your failure, scientists managed to teleport you to a secret lab. The problem is that a secret agency has constructed a special device, letting the Nihilanth come to earth. You must destroy this device, before the worst can happen.

Review :

This one seems to get some interest recently through several post at planetphillip, I decided to give it a try and was plesently surprise.

Design is conventional with sometimes some lack to detail but also in the other hand attention to design with innovative hallways and places...the author tells that he did some mapping for CS and he certainly got a good skill, the progression is not boring, gman appears several time and except some outdoor part and something more immersive for the player (with more on text message, voice acting or puzzles) that is missing, all the rest that is needed is present.

Gameplay is from the classic bottle with one or two seenes some traps and a streight forward progression well balance with combatsthat will make you progress to the nihilanth chamber. There is no real suprise it's just a succession of even and action that will lead you to the final goal with here and there some bugs (for me the mad scientist runiing inside me and make me stuck)...but it hold you busy with a fair enjoyment till it's end more thorugh it's correct gameplay that it's mostly oriented combat action.

In conclusion: it's a simply classic enjoyable release with nothing special for the short download (but who cares for this now) and the short playing time it's well worth to be played

Playtime: 45 minutes

Rating: A B C D E (68%)

Rebellion for Half-Life 2

***NEW!!!***

Level name:Rebellion

Author: Raphaël Gilot

Release date: 4 January 2009

Size: 97 570 ko

Number of maps: 6


website: here

download: Planetphillip's page


Story:

In Rebellion, you play as Mandella, colonel in the Confederation, a powerful military force. At the beginning, you explore the mothership as you’re asked by admiral Spade to attend your briefing. You’ll discover that you’re part of the first attack wave sent to storm Tor29, a little colony lost in the Nephele system.

Accompanied by your best friend, major Threepwood, you’ll face an oddly weak resistance. Why does the Confederation unleash its wrath on a colony that is clearly of no match ? What hides behind this conflict driven by doubtful justifications ? These obscure reasons are not to please you and Threepwood.

Will you carry on following blindly an authority fouled by power and arrogance ? Or will you break your former links and embrace a cause that seems fairer to you, however desperate it may be?

Maybe these are favourable times for… Rebellion.

Review :

A new creator just came up at the starting of 2009 and to be honest it was really a good surprise.
With an experience which had something different from what we have seen before even if in my opinion like for forward motion the author, while creating is mod, took perhaps a direction of making a mod that becomes a little too compicated...

Design was pretty good with perhaps some detail flaws (marble floor if the first metallic section)
but also manage to bring you some impressive part like the storage hall (screenshot1) but it was for sure above average in term of quality and architecture.
Gameplay is special, cause for a first part you play as a combine chief and make mission in order to kill the rebellion whish was for me, an especially the part with the storage containing civilian, quite annoying; after things get back to the normal way of HL2 gaming.
In addition to this fact the author also took a mission more oriented on movie/comics interaction...to explain a little my point of view you will, during this episode, more follow conversation and read on text message than actually play...creating for me more frustration than real enjoyment by the fact that the action is too much oriented, on a static way. (not easy to translate my frensh opinion into english...sorry for that).
Appart from this and taking the other point of view, the storyline is strong in a kind of movie/comics view that add lot's of humour and 'living' to the different actors like in eveday's life.

In conclusion: Raphaël defenetly manage the HL2 engine and was able to create something differents that wanted to immerse the player into a strong storyline with an everyday's life feeling. Sadly in my opinion those idea came with a lack of gameplay that can cause some frustration to player which was my case...I still think that a lot of gamers are going to like this fresh touch of gameplay



Playtime: 30 min


Rating: A B C D E (84%)

Blaster Master for Quake4

***NEW!!!***

Level name:Blaster Master

Author: Robert Gee

Release date: 19 May 2008

Size: 9 900 ko

Number of maps: 1


website: here

download: Author's page


Description:
In this map which takes place in the Quake 4 universe, the player takes on the role of a space marine who has been separated from his squad and lost most of his equipment. My goal for this level was to create engaging and satisfying gameplay while only allowing the player to use the blaster gun, which is the first and weakest weapon that they player receives while playing through the campaign. In order to accomplish this, I added the gameplay element of environmental destruction, which the player can trigger by shooting certain objects in the level within a certain time limit. This allows the player to have a feeling of power when he creates large chain reaction explosions to solve puzzles and destroy his enemies, without actually giving him a more powerful gun.

Review :

This is defenetly a new approch in Quake4 FPS more base on interaction with the environment than with simple fighting, you will need to solve small puzzle to be able to join you squad. Don't forget that most of the action that take places is indirectly performed and if you don't know what to do next there is a short video of the level viewable at Robert Gee's page.
Regarding this release it perfectly mix design with (inter)action and even if like for most of guildhall students releses it's too short... it's another must play experience.

Design is well done with a good attention to color and environment in a enjoyable way to progress. There is certainly too much pipes out here but regarding the fact that it's mostly needed to progress it doesn't really bother.

Gameplay is special, it's less oriented to fightings and more oiented in small interaction with environment to make progress to your squad. The environment is also active with robots working, sounds and voice to make you really get into this short experience. alll text objective really explain what you need, as a next step to do.

In conclusion: everything is present in this small release fight, thinking, objective, ambiance and gameplay what more do we need except more gaming time.



Playtime: 10 min (depend if you can easily understand/solve the puzzles)


Rating: A B C D E (87%)

Happy New year to you all readers

I wish to all of you the best for the upcoming year(s) and would like to thank you all for your discrete support during this past 2 years (I didn't have a lot of feedback according the over 70 post i made), but having more than 1000 hits in arround 2 month and a half was a great surprise that encourage me to update this blog more during the last two months.

I think I won't change the rules during 2009 and will continue with reviews about things that let me a good feeling while playing, I just hope to succeed in posting arround 30 review a year like for the past two years.

Just want to remember that you can contact me to submit something to review or simply post your feeling about the reviews, I had also a mixed opinion about digging some old stuff for game such as quake, duke nukem, Redneck rampage but i'm not sure if a lot of people would be interested.

So feel free to ask and make proposal to increase the quality of this site

Oh and don't forget that soon the new virtual rally championship will take place at Rallyesim just hoping to do better that in 2008 where i finished on the 20th place on over 600 players that were able to score.

For this year I also launched with my friends from our WRC private team a blog (only in french) don't hesitate to follow our carrier there during this year

Cold Steel for Quake4

***NEW!!!***

Level name:Cold Steel

Author: eLuSiVe

Release date: 28 Janaury 2006

Size: 25 108 ko

Number of maps: 2


website: none

download: At Doomwadstation



Story:

None

Review :

This was the first descent release for Quake4 back in 2006 from an author that had been mapping for sevral month for Doom3 on a huge project after making a map called prowler.

According this release it's starts like in the original Quake2 release with a crashed cuscenes well scripted after you will neede to progress through the place the destroy the master of this place.
Design is perfectly manage in a cool dark and spoucky ambiance more related with Doom3, attention has been put on details that surrounds your progression, events that occurs and ambush that are happening add the fear to this experience, all part are well linked together in a non linear way adding despites a cohesive storyline some cutscenens that put perfectly the player into the Quake 4 theme

Gameplay is correctly balance with some thaught part where you will see you health dicrease fast (perhaps too fast) the progression is a mix beween suprise (from thinks falling to mad ambushes) and activating switch (you don't always know wher to go next...). The Challnege really increase till the end arena where the nightmare seems to never stop...but when it's over it's in an abrupt way that just throw the end generic at you face.

In conclusion: back when it came out this one was considered as a must have. Regarding the small amount of release for this game it still is but since then other maps have shine to the community and provide something more releated with what Quake4 offers (pilotable vehicles, squad progression, on screen objectives,...) . This one is enjoyable well put together with a good time enjoyement but for me wont let any memorable souvenirs...simply because the originality that comes with the intro scenes just fely appart after that with it's weak storyline.

Playtime: 50 min

Rating: A B C D E (82%)

Forward Motion for Half-Life 2

***NEW!!!***

Level name: Forward Motion

Author: Justin 'SneakySpeckman' Carlton

Date of release: 26 May 2008

Size: 47 389 ko

Number of maps: 10


website: none

download: here

Author's Note:
This map pack is really just group of ideas. Any constructive criticism would be appreciated. Each map proceeds in order. Every map can be played individually, so you can load any map and start with weapons. These maps may have some bugs. You can consult the walkthrough if you get stuck. If you get stuck you can always just load the next map.

Review :

The short Note from the author explain directly that there was no real story just idea after idea through wich the author wanted to create something enjoyable.
Design was well put together in a simple but efficiant way increasing (but at start is was quite average) in quality and realism as you will travel through all the 10 maps. The feeeling was really great and archtiecture well manage, everything is present from the original game but never let a feeling of dejà vu. You will travel from outdoor to indoor with limited weapons using the hovercraft for quite a while with tips and tricks.
All in all and even if the author didn't pay a lot of attention to details, but this doesn't really bother, every new part with it's traps, effect surprise and even more will really want to play this one in a sinlge experience.

Gameplay is really the major interest from this map pack from fight to puzzle passing through it's 'wierd' storyline, you will never have a moment that's lack from interest, action is always present and will increase with you progression sadly reaching a kind of moment where the author was perhaps a little submerge by what he wanted to create and starts to make things a little to complicate in my opinion. hoperfully the readme contains a walkthrough that will certainly b you friend.
What was really put in evidence is that the author manage the engine to it's quite complicated features and with a better thaught storyline from starts to end, I'm pretty shure the author could really catch the full attention from the community.

In conclusion: Even if the readme doesn't come with a lots of information and that maps were simply linked together, letting the posibility to play them each separatly, without no story, background map or 'new features' if was defenetly a great enjoyable surpsise for me, that i highly recommed to everybody.


Playtime: 3 hours


Rating: A B C D E (86%)

Absolute redemption for Half-Life

***NEW!!!***

Title : Absolute redemption

Author: Maverick Development

Release date: 01 November 2000

Size: 38 779 ko

Number of maps: 32

website: down

download: at planetphillip

Story:

It was written in the ancient scrolls of Xian that, during the last Crelat of Xen time, a portal would be opened between two universes and a being would cross the void and cause the second re-birth of Nihilanth, and all Xen would be drained of their lifeblood, their knowledge. And that, in this time, the Xen race would be oppressed by the armies from the far side of the portal.
It was also written that once the portal was opened, a human known as "Freeman" would cross the galactic transverse into Xen space, and set free the three sacred Telnorps, the guardians of the gate who had been captured from the ancient enemies of the Xen, the Zan from the Theldran galaxy.
And so it was that the prophecy came to pass, and the weakened Xen were powerless to resist an onslaught from the Zan. In the dawn of the first Ashaan of Xen time, the elders of the high council sanctioned an uneasy alliance with the perpetrators of the impending disaster, the Human race, in order to restore the sacred telnorps, and thus sealing the Zan gateway... forever.
The ambassador of the Alien Investigation Unit on earth was called upon to "redeem" the situation by employing the use of the very individual who had inadvertently caused the situation...

Review :

Before Wanted a western conversion for half-life (check it here) and after Drug-Barrons (one of the first interesting HL release Maverick Dev came with a huge release containing 32 maps were once more you will need to stop the evil machine!

We will say that the mission is divided in 3 separate ones with a final travel to xen, the gman will constently stay in contact with you through cutscene mission breafing and so on, so you will need to catch back in every mission the 3 sacred Telorps to close the portal on xen. so travelling through well thaught and design mission will keep you busy during a correct time.

Design is impressive back in 2000 r-speeds is really well manage by placing map change in the place they should, from the first mission that take place in the himalayan montain to a carnival full of impressive attraction witch reminds me from the first chapter of Blood: the criptic passage game to a end research complex, the design is really put on a high quality, attention to models was also well done and interconnectivity in a way you could easily be lost in a non linear progression add certainly a great touch to the management layout. There is really too much detail that could be described here that it's noncense to spoil them. The mix between storyline and the gameplay is for me really well handled and push you to play this one without no break which is for me really a sign of quality. The small break through cutscenes and briefing mission with a quite enjoyable voice acting (that is not always from the best quality), is enhanced by the personality of Gman and add even more value to the whole content.

Gameplay isn't that easy in fact that you could easily be lost or don't directly know what the next objective, regarding combats and traps they are well balanced to make it challenging but not frustrating, puzzle are mosltly absent or easy to solve but all those things flows perfectly to create a memorable mission.

In conclusion: like other production from Maverick this one is another enjoyable map pack that really create a new mission guided by the Gman i'ts for me also the best one and is defenetly worth to be play and replay especially regarding the details, effort and humour that has been put in it.

Playtime: 3 hours

Rating: A B C D E (92%)

Chronicle episode 1 for Half-Life

***NEW!!!***

Title: Half-Life: Chronicles

Episode One : Traumatic Experiences

Author: Radioactive Software

Release date: 9 August 2000

Size: 10 005 ko

Number of maps: 5


website: none anymore

download: at planetphillip

Story:

Half-Life: Chronicles once again places you in the boots of scientist Gordon Freeman. Trapped in the Black Mesa Research Facility, and pursued by humans and aliens alike, you must use your wits (as well as firepower) to stay alive. However, Chronicles takes place in what could be called an "alternate timeline" wherein certain events in Half-Life unfolded differently.

Review :

So i have still a lot of HL stuff to play and decided to give a try to several one that seems back then, in HL stoneage, to catch the attention... This one, release as a preview of upcoming stuff that never did tried like for opposing for to imagine at a certain points another storyline...for making this more attractive, there are some new sounds, weapons and texturing.

Design is great, you really have the impression to play something professional; texturing, flowability through the collection of maps is perfect (especially taking in account it was released more than 8 years ago) new weapons model are also fitting well, the architecture is well put together with a well balanced use of texturing from classic to newest one. The architecture and use or environment layout make it easily linkable to the original game but this is more a valuable comparaison.

Gameplay is also well put together more oriented on grunts combats (you won't see a lot of aliens) than on puzzles, progression is quite obvious and misses perhaps some outdoor area, there aren't a lot of stuff required to make you progress: from a moving element to a keycard all seems quite obvious, the G-man is always present and will in some place appears.
The travelling is mostly done by foot progression with the exeption of a memorable subway ride with some shooting that remind me from the experience that happens in movie like the Goonies or Indiana Jones first opus...but sadly the expeirence just stop abruptly with a 'to be continued...' on text message that never happens after this release.

In conclusion: Back in 2000 this first release from radioactive software looks really promising with a classic mission start used some original element but also a really good design...sadly there was never a sequel to it. for the one who never gave this one a try it's not to late and regarding the small playtime experience it's defenetly worth.

Playtime: 25 minutes

Rating: A B C D E (78%)

sp_valley for Half-Life

***NEW!!!***

Title :sp_valley

Author: [fpsb]agressor

Release date: 30 july 2008

Size: 4 977 ko

Number of maps: 1

website: none

download: at fpsbanana

Story:

none, but as author's note :"This single player map was created using prefabs from fpsb (this site). There are a house with garage and two floors and one waterfall. If you want to play on this map in multiplayer, please tell me about it in feedback. [I'm sorry, my english is not good enough))))"

Review :

Not a really old release (4 months) i found this one at FPSBanana it's quite short and just provide 2 main places there is no puzzle or objectives it's just a grunt feast.

The architecture even if not realistic regarding the house location isn't that bad, for the design and if the author only use prefabs it's then a little bit weak and also provide some mapping error like the lighting that appears in the mountain wall and the part of the toilet that is...out of the house. But in a way of just looking and walking through it , it's not really bad, and could easily be use for multiplayer purpose.

Gameplay is short not that intense and well balanced to create a short but not frustrating experiences, like told before there is no puzzle, no search just shooting (include a chopper)

In conclusion: don't expect to much from this one it's for me just correct enough to give it a place at 'SPmapcorner' for the rest don't blaim me if you didn't like it there is no aim just elimate all resistance and i didn't even find an ending ...

Playtime: 15 minutes

Rating: A B C D E (52%)

Half Secret for Half-Life

***NEW!!!***

Title: Half-secret

Author: TTK/Freeslave

Release date: 8 August 2008

Size: 5 597 ko

Number of maps: 5


website: none

download: at planetphillip

Story:

none, it's just a classic black mesa type episode with a good nostalgia feeling

Review :

Here is another recent release that came out during summer it's a classic straight forward experience that exactly begins as the official HL version but hand maded with the qwest following the same path.

Design is well handled with nothing really special and perhaps sometime a lack to details and a use of repetitive walls textures especially the hallways at the beginning, but after it's becomming beter, you get into the complex and the design will be more representative. Even if most of the part are not perfectly crafted or designed to be great eyes looking, it's enjoyable to progress into this sientific complex. There aren't a lot of new features (except some new wads) in this small episode but it's just about nostalgia so this wasn't really what we were looking for.

Gameplay was build also like the original game with a mix between fight, events and puzzles integrating or not some barneys (only for fights) to help you, it's well handled and balance to increase your interest with your progression. There is even a new 'aliens' weapon (i think it was the first time i saw it but i may be wrong), the experience quite obvious but i prefer it in this way than when i encounter lots of puzzle that frustrates me.

In conclusion: another interesting release from this year... it may looks too classic and perhaps you will prefer to replay the original game but for the not too long playtime and the effort from both authors it's another enjoyable experience.

Playtime: 50 minutes

Rating: A B C D E (80%)

use destruction for Quake4

***NEW!!!***

Level name:Use destruction

Author: Sebastian 'Tombery' Peters

Release date: 6 October 2008

Size: 79 966 ko

Number of maps: 6


website: here

download: At MODDB



Story:

A short one in german traduce with babelfhish...

An attack on the outguard Nexus is approaching. We may not leave the Stroggs too close at us ran and one may not give you the possibility to a counterstroke draw back, navy said the core. After to long negotiations the resolution was set to the attack into force and the employment is approaching. To survive the will and hope on a victory must be steadfast. Much luck.

Review :

The author is not on it's first attempt and release 2 good mods for Doom3 before, this time he create an entire experience with cutsenes challenge, impressive design so be prepared for a great experience...

Design starts directly with a marvellous intro scene, i like those small think witch ask for a lot of work but direct put the player into the experience. So you crashed onthe nexus base and will meet with some squad to progress and find out what's next. Everything is well handle according architecture it's a classic combats/activate button/ progress experience but well handle through the choice of textures and the general layout not only straight forward but also with alternatives routes. The author didn' negligate the use of vehicules, some small cutscenes and the travelling through the complex with a mix between outdoor and indoor. for me it's huge well crafted and not at any moment boring.
The gameplay flows with the rest and is a good mix between single and teamplay experience, the experience will increase in difficulty with progression and will also provide some side experience like jumping plateform, crushing doors and robot vehicle combat. The atmosphere is always holding you into the gameplay and will surprise you when you don't think of it, combats are taught but just what is needed not to be frustrated (note that the end combat experience may look unbeatable and frustrating if you don't now what to do...) weapons and health are perhaps sometime put without any logic but provide when it's needed.

In conclusion: Sebastian did some good work for Doom 3 and now even beter for Quake 4, his skill did increase and provide so a chalenging experience but for me just missed a strong storyline that could be a wire to this mission with voice acting and a real aim like saving somebody... But i won't be to exigeant regarding the work that was made cause the experience was impressive and provides finally something strong for this great game. Highly recommanded


Playtime: 2 hours 30

Rating: A B C D E (93%)

outwards for Half-Life

***NEW!!!***

Level name: Outwards

Author: Visa "Zandramas" Alanko

Date of release: 11 August 2001

Size: 8 616 ko

Number of maps: 8



website: here


download: At plantphillip.com

Note : this one is recommanded to be played in easy mod except if you are really a good player and don't be bothered buy surronding spawning of enemies. The author told that you may encounter a problem at the last stage when you need to fall down by a vent and loose lot's of health points if you are below 40pts and no HEV points I juggest you to use god mod or simple take the quicksave kindly provide by guilfarry from Planetphillip -> here below

Story :

You are a Gordon Freeman in a time after deciding to take the chance, which G-man offered to you. First he commanded you to carry unidentified materials for researching to Black Mesa Research Facility in New Mexico. You arrive to laboratory and there should be someone to receive you, but you see nobody and hear only blowing wind. Something makes you think there has happened an accident or something like that again.You decide to take a little look around....

Review :

This release seems to have passed trough the wire of lot's of HL sp fan so that it just came out recently at planetphillip. The impression during the playing of this episode was really a mixed feeling, the author created something interesting at start but didn't put enough effort in general layout with oversized places laking details, big place looking to boxy, too much use of copy/paste without any change (the office hallway before the tank attack) but this was mixed with some interesting design and detail and some correct interconnection

Design is intended to be not repetitive but even if the author wanted to make a good mix between outdoor and indoor, the lack of detail and weak architecture design let sometime the feeling of visiting places that look quite similar but with different texturing. The theme is the most visited in hl release (research complex), but doesn't succeed in adding value to the original game, and this even if some place are well crafted and that some events or puzzles seems sometimes intersting (tank attack, 'clark lift' puzzle, end scene,...) they are mostly lost in the mass of the gameplay and doesn't really succed in highlinthing this episode.
Gameplay is really the sad part of this episode all fight and combats are not that easy and quite unrealistic with sad trap that won't let you a chance at the first try, the progression seems mostly obvious and puzzle,even if they seems quite well handled, doesn't add any value to the frustrating fighting gameplay...ambiance and especially sound seems more to lack so that you never really get immersed in the experience.

In conlcusion: this one was lost somewhere on the internet and is really intended for HL fan who likes to play everything, it's really not a priority...because at the end it let more frustration feeling than good memories. But you can only at it's advantage not too difficult regarding gameplay, in easy mode it seems ok and finally it will take you a little bit more than a half hour to be completed if you don't know what to do for this period of time in an evening why not give it at try but don't forget all the weaknesess mentioned.


Playtime: 50 min

Rating: A B C D E (58%)