by Gendo » Thu Apr 16, 2009 21:34
tested with newest GZD svn.
HERE BE SPOILERS
Spoiler:
pros: good architecture, few bugs (noticed about one HOM so far and projectile collision bug which might as well be in the port itself), good overall look of the levels, especially 2 and 3 (the latter makes me think of what superb architecture the authors could present should they remake plutonia's map29
). music choice is appropriate, imo. very interesting of base and hellish/marble architecture, many maps attempting to blend these end up as terrible mashup of styles that hurts eyes and lacks decent DOOM atmosphere, but this is NOT the case here. very well done. it's got that unique feel of a good blend of all these styles, plus the plant decor, another thing reminescent of plutonia (but note the issues described below). At times, architecture provides good cover from projectiles and makes the battles very interesting and enjoyable. But sadly, too rarely. on to the cons.
cons: quite claustrophobic, especially first 2 levels, on UV it becomes less than enjoyable. ok, i reckon that skill level is for pros but it's very annoying when you get killed for the 10th time because you just couldn't maneuver in cramped levels with decor obscuring your FOV (esp. the overly represented lianas on map02). also ammo is overly scarce, on map01 you can save much of it by using knuckle duster (thanks to berserk), but sadly it's not the case in map02. that way the player ends pitted against cyberdemon in a small room with the vital button placed behind him :S and that's just one example, there's way more of such nice surprises as you blast through the maps. avoiding monsters isn't an option either, remember how cramped the corridors are already without live hellspawn. another thing is overuse of switches, often placed in obscure places where you can have a hard time finding them.
END OF SPOILING.
All in all, i'd give it a 6/10 rating, often superb level design versus annoying and not very well balanced gameplay (although some battles are excellent).
i don't consider myself an expert, but i thought you'd like to hear someone's opinion on this eventually.
tested with newest GZD svn.
HERE BE SPOILERS
[spoiler=]pros: good architecture, few bugs (noticed about one HOM so far and projectile collision bug which might as well be in the port itself), good overall look of the levels, especially 2 and 3 (the latter makes me think of what superb architecture the authors could present should they remake plutonia's map29 :D ). music choice is appropriate, imo. very interesting of base and hellish/marble architecture, many maps attempting to blend these end up as terrible mashup of styles that hurts eyes and lacks decent DOOM atmosphere, but this is NOT the case here. very well done. it's got that unique feel of a good blend of all these styles, plus the plant decor, another thing reminescent of plutonia (but note the issues described below). At times, architecture provides good cover from projectiles and makes the battles very interesting and enjoyable. But sadly, too rarely. on to the cons.
cons: quite claustrophobic, especially first 2 levels, on UV it becomes less than enjoyable. ok, i reckon that skill level is for pros but it's very annoying when you get killed for the 10th time because you just couldn't maneuver in cramped levels with decor obscuring your FOV (esp. the overly represented lianas on map02). also ammo is overly scarce, on map01 you can save much of it by using knuckle duster (thanks to berserk), but sadly it's not the case in map02. that way the player ends pitted against cyberdemon in a small room with the vital button placed behind him :S and that's just one example, there's way more of such nice surprises as you blast through the maps. avoiding monsters isn't an option either, remember how cramped the corridors are already without live hellspawn. another thing is overuse of switches, often placed in obscure places where you can have a hard time finding them.[/spoiler]
END OF SPOILING.
All in all, i'd give it a 6/10 rating, often superb level design versus annoying and not very well balanced gameplay (although some battles are excellent).
i don't consider myself an expert, but i thought you'd like to hear someone's opinion on this eventually.