Having played this map I thought I'd give a shot at reviewing it myself, it's nothing noteworthy but I don't think it's *that* bad that it's unworthy of review.
Map Title: Ruins
Map Author: Geno.Cide
Reviewer: Mman
Review Score: 12%
Tagline: Not especially worth playing
According to the readme this map was created to show off the "singleplayer4UT" mod. Of course, Oldskool has rendered that mod pointless at this point and this map runs fine with it, so how does it hold up as a map in it's own right?
The story is very basic but it's at least integrated into the map; you have to go into some ruins and kill fifteen Skaarj Troopers then return to your ship. Those Troopers aren't quite the only threat though and exploration reveals some Devilfish in the moat around the ruin as well.
Looking over the ruinsThe design is extremely basic but a closer look reveals at least a small attempt making the place look like a collapsing ruin, and your ship is actually pretty decently structured. The canyon area it takes place in has very basic design though. There's also very little lighting, but there is at least some vague definition to it and it's not just zonelit. The big thing that drags it down to hideous levels is the colossal stretched terrain textures; that's unfortunate, as the ruins and ship have some competent, if simple, texturing. There's pretty much no sounds in the level, however, there's a voice sample at the start and after you kill the Skaarj (although it's hard to tell what it's saying), and while the fast-paced Unreal Tournament track used doesn't lend the ruins any majesty it does fit the action theme of the map.
Unfortunately there's nothing special about the main fight, and the arena design pretty much just means you get dog-piled by the Skaarj horde and try to take them out at a choke point. The Skaarj have reduced health but there's a degree of challenge due to them using a variety of weapons and the relatively low amount of ammo you start with, which promotes some degree of scavenging. Outside of the fight exploration does at least grant a few rewards, and looking around before heading across to the arena will help give you an edge when things kick off.
Your shipTechnically I had no problems; such a basic map shouldn't have any, but considering I've played simpler maps with worse issues it's at least worthy of a little credit there.
Summary:
Not especially worth playing as there are probably better maps out there for a quick blast, but it does accomplish what it sets out to do, even if that goal is pretty modest.
BUILD (50%)
Architecture 2
Texturing 1
Lighting 1
Sound 1
Technical Execution 2
CAST (50%)
Conceptual Grandness 1
Story Construction 1
Story Implementation 1
Gameplay Awe 1
Gameplay Balance 1
Total Score: 12%
Download Links:
SP-RuinesEN.zip - 570 kb - KlanKAOS
SP-RuinesEN.zip - 570 kb - Dropbox
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