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ONS-ColdFusion][ (UT2004)
Map Author: King Mango
Download Here! (4.08 MB)
Date Reviewed: 1 July 2004
Reviewer: Virax
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You spawn, and an inquisitive expression spreads across your face as you realize you've never played this map before. You pause for a second to take in your surroundings, listening to the wind whip past your ears as the snow falls to the ground. A chill spreads through your body as you head to the nearest weapon locker, picking up every non-superweapon aside from the grenade launcher and the lightning gun. As your eyes scan the vast frozen tundra before you, realization dawns, and you know that this is going to be a long, cold, and difficult match in the icy hell that is ONS-ColdFusion][.
As you've probably already gathered, ONS-ColdFusion][ is a wintery map, and it achieves the effect well. Snow falls down around you as you really do hear the wind whipping past you, and an icy fog is exceptionally well placed herein. Across the landscape are snow covered trees, in addition to various posts which act as gigantic torches. The texturing is well done, and each texture seems to fit it's place, possibly excepting the use of industrial brick on what seems to be a broken down castle, and a few places where the texture is clearly not scaled up enough. In addition, lighting is not too bright, nor too dark - it fits the mood and theme quite accurate, though nothing spectacular sticks out in my mind. All of this in conjunction serves to provide a very atmospheric map. However, I do have a few gripes. First, the "Unreal Playground Mapping Contest" logos places in various places as somewhat blah, as I feel they distract from the theme, and remind you that this is only a game. Finally, there was a fault with some meshes competing for visual supremecy on a wall in each base, which resulted in some ugly flickering. Oh yeah, there was one floating tree, too. All of this is managed at approximately the same framerates as the larger retail ONS maps.
Atmosphere is not the only thing this map does right, as the author has placed adequate amounts of vehicles. In each base resides two mantas, a raptor, a goliath, a hellbender, and a scorpion. In addition, each base also has a target painter and a 100a right in there, each of which are sure to be useful on such a large map. Venture out a bit, and you'll find that the first node that eather team can reach provides an ammo fillup, in addition to a 50a - capturing either of these nodes will provide another hellbender. Move along to the main central node of the map, and each team is likely to pass another super powerup (unless they take the optional jumppad) - a keg on the red team's side, and another 100a on the blue team's side. I think it would have been more appropriate for symmetry regarding these powerup placements, though not doing so doubtedly affects gameplay much, as this is a very large map, constructed for plenty of players (10-16 according to the author, and I find that to be precise.)
When you get to that central node, it's likely that the action will begin. This is the area where mass fragging occurs, and the damage amp right near that node only serves as to make it all the more hectic. Once you've captured this middle node, you'll get another goliath, as well as two more scorpions, and may progress on to the opposing team's 50a node. However, if this is your only method of attack, you'll find the opposite team will be able to take back their nodes and win the match without too much difficulty. That's right - there's more than just 3 nodes here. Rather than moving from their first (50a) node to the central node, each team also has the choice of moving to another node, each of which provides a hellbender and a manta upon capturing.
But, that's not all - this will connect you to the far central node, the most important of all of them. Take this, and your team will have the leviathan, and two more raptors. Sure, the opposite team may have established a link to your core through the main central node, but by going out of your way, you now have the power to either take your nodes back, or just move along your merry way and destroy their core before they can destroy yours. Yes, each core can be under attack simultaneously, and though it's probably quicker to establish the link with the main central node, the levithan is a pawn which can turn the tide of the match, perhaps too easily. In summary, the gameplay and layout of this map allows for some very large scale and epic battles, while simultaneously providing multiple strategies.
In conclusion, there's sound, and bots. I believe I already mentioned this, but the wind whistling through the valley of ice really set the mood, plus, crackling fire was a nice touch too. I can't really say much more about the ambient sounds, as there weren't many more. However, no points deducted, as I really don't see an opportunity to use more. Lastly, the track he used was optimal. It started slowly with orchestral stuff, and then built up, almost in tune with the match I was playing, until there was a nice heavy techno beat going on. Bots seem to know what they're doing in vehicles, as everything is pathed well. However, they tend to get lost every once in a while on the ground, as there are no normal pathnodes for walking. They only know how to drive!
Bottom Line: A solid (albeit large) map that provides decent gameplay, above-average atmosphere, and more. If you're not into really large maps or wide open spaces, wait for something else. Otherwise, grab it!
Score: 7.5
Average User Score: 6.5 (2 scores)
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King Mango
I agree with Olister. This map is pretty plain Jane. But I only had a few days to throw it together. From complete scratch... It was frantic and I had no idea what to do with it. It was an entry into Unreal Playground's ONS mapping contest and eventually wound UP winning there. It's been featured map at several sites and I am amazed at its success. It's completely different than the map I spent five weeks of the contest working on lol and didn't ahve any real ideas for it until hours before deadline. :D Thanks for the very kind review Virax (and theres two sets of floating trees lol :p)and to all who like this map I'm glad and to all who don't well that's OK too. ;) You can't please all the people all the time. :) Thanks for the props lophead. :D
2004-07-02 11:04:28
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lophead
Score: 7.0
From my first impressions I got the feeling that this map deserves to push 'hot map' calibre. The winter setting is decently done. Though, like Corion noted some static meshes are a bit stuck on.
From what I've played I didn't notice too many gaping gameplay flaws and I continued to play because I enjoyed it, not just cause I wanted to rate it (which is always a good indicator). I haven't played this enough to make completely sound judgement on the node placements, but they do have the unique possibility whereby two power cores can be vulnerable at the same time which is interesting.
2004-07-02 10:17:33
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Olister
Score: 6.0
I never really liked this map, as it was a bit boring IMO. The terrain felt a bit 'flat', and the snow theme isnt the most original.
This map's ok, but nothing really special.
2004-07-01 13:06:22
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