(incoherent grumbling)
Assassination - Zone ControlI really like the concept of this level. It really favors stealth over strength and/or speed, and not a lot of maps do that.
I think it did great as well when it comes to the theme. Storming the castle and all that. The robots were an awesome touch also, tho it makes it kind of stupid when someone kicks them all -pointed look-
My only complaint is that it's a bit big, and since it's a ZC, that makes it really hard to find whoever has the flag before they get back to their base.
Overall, 9/10
Bastion - CoreThe artwork in this map is awesome. It all feels really natural and cool.
Out of the many core maps submitted for the contest, I feel this is one of the better ones.
The theme was a bit vague, though. The only thing I saw that reminded me of "castle" is the drawing of a lion in one of the boxes lol
My only complaints level-wise are that the windy passageways are kind of annoying, and the giant center area is a bit useless.
Overall, 8/10
Castle fighters - Capture the FlagThis map reminded me of a map that would come with Bitfighter. It was very well built and thought out. The theme was very apparent, the teleports are in good spots, it's easy to play... wow. Really good stock-esque map.
However, this also means that it wasn't very unique or very interesting. Also, I would suggest putting a regen on the turrets.
Overall, 8.5/10
Galactic Parasites - CoreWhile this map is very cool looking, it is also a bit unbalanced, with the red team having a major advantage. Their cores are tucked away in a corner, only accessible by a narrow passageway, while the blue cores are out in the open waiting to be thrashed. Red team always wins.
I also don't really see the correlation between this map and the theme.
Overall, 7/10
Green Eggs and Ham - NexusThis map is just weird
I see a few flaws in it, though. For one, with engineer, you can build an almost impenetrable base right over the enemy's tele-out. You basically win if you can keep them repaired and keep making new ones. Secondly, you can just blow yourself up in your own base a bunch of times, get like 40 flags, and then when the Nexus opens, you come out of the teleport like right next to it. Game over.
I also don't see how the theme was incorporated.
Overall, 6/10
Hardcastle - Capture the FlagThis map. Wow. It can take to the end of eternity to finish it. Also, the teams are a bit unbalanced, the red side being at a disadvantage in how the one laser is closer, making it able to be hit by phasers. The blue team, though, is missing a turret, and one of them is on the wrong side of the wall. This makes the map seem like it was rushed in the building process.
Oh and the teleports take you different places.
The theme is very apparent, though. You literally have to Storm the Castle. You can't do it alone. Props for that.
Overall, 6/10
Hunters Revival - NexusOhmaigawd. This map just frustrates me. You fight and you fight and you fight and you get so many flags and then you can't make it to the Nexus without exploding. It's almost like two separate playing fields.
I didn't check to see if the turrets had regen or not, I was too busy trying not to get blasted by the other players. But if they do, that's even more pain for my brain.
Slightly recognizable when it comes to the theme.
Overall, 4/10
KillYouHere - Capture the FlagThis is an interesting map, because although it's on the larger side, you don't really notice it. The crazy flag spawns make for an interesting game, because you never know if your flag is going to spawn right next to everyone else's xD
The theme was apparent but not really used that much. It was really just circles next to the doorways. It was very fun tho
Overall, 7/10
Picture Frame - NexusNo offense to whoever designed this map, but I hate it. I'm sorry.
I hate getting stuck in the speedzones. I hate how you have to get the timing just right because the Nexus is only open for half a second. I hate how the cores get in the way. I hate how open the middle is. It's just all badness. I don't know if you trolled with this map or what. The theme isn't even here.
Overall, 1/10
Qal'ah - CoreThis is a very interesting map indeed. Is it Arabic or something? Who knows Arabic? lol
Despite the corridors being different lengths, it's actually pretty balanced if you play it. I think the speed zones might have a roll in that. Surprisingly fun map.
Can't really see the theme, though. EDIT: Scratch that, I've been told that the Arabic translation is equivalent to the word Castle. So, very interesting incorporation of the theme xD Score stays the same tho
Overall, 7/10
Seige - CoreThis map is kind of cute lol... I like the catapults
Anyways, it seems like the insides of the castles weren't designed very well. The turrets don't really face at anything, and it's really easy to avoid getting shot by opponents. So.. terrible for defense. Great for offense tho lol
It seems like it really boils down to who spawns where, because if you spawn in the middle, you can get to your enemy's castle faster and you can win. It might be different if there were more players, I only played with 4, but yeah.
Obvious display of theme, though.
Overall, 7/10
Star Castle - CoreThis one is misleading! I've been deceived!
It has castle in the name, but it's more of a Space Invader themed map.
It looks like a Starfighter vs a Mothership.
I don't like all the open space.
Also, the Invader team has an advantage, because they can just camp in front of their core and pretty much nobody's gonna get in xD
Not so with the Defender team. A lot more open space.
Overall, 6/10
Wub - BitmatchAhhh, a team Bitmatch. Always fun. The only Bitmatch in the contest, actually.
The turrets provide a defense at first, but they quickly get taken out by aggravated players, so I'd recommend a regen on those. Also, the edges of the map make it kind of big, so it's easier than expected to hide from others.
The theme wasn't included in the map, either. Unless you count the flaw as a figurative representation of the word "Castle" or something.
The flaw being, once your team gets ahead, just don't leave your spawn point and wait the round out. Win is yours.
Overall, 6/10
Sat Jun 02, 2012 2:53 pm 
