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DmResearchCenter - March 2, 2008 (Map of the Week)
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Reviewer: Tronovision Map Name: DmResearchCenter Author: Nicola Logrillo Map Type: Deathmatch Date Released: March 2008 Unreal Version: 227 Overall Rating: 6.0/10 [Download DmResearchCenter.zip] - 962 Kb Reviewer's Thoughts: This is the first map by this author and I thought that they did a pretty good job on it. As the name implies, the level takes place within a research center facility consisting of living quarters, storage sections, and an areas to perhaps conduct research in. While playing I found that there were lots of open crates filled with weapons and other inventory (and in some cases good items on top of the crates), a decent array of inventory and wide hallways allowing for dodging room. I think my favorite portion of the level was the upper garden and I thought that the lighting was done best there. Considering this was their first map, the author seems to have a pretty good handle on UnrealEd and had managed to make some nice looking lifts, terrain (2D editor), and other nice brushwork as well as good zoning and level effects (some of these are completely looked over in early maps). However, there are some areas which could use some improvement, mainly in the areas of lighting and texturing (these two categories can make or break a level in my mind). For the most part, textures were chosen well but were poorly aligned or were blured and distorted. Taking the time to align all of the texture in the level would have greatly improved the appearance (and experience) of the map. I found that the entire level was fitted with light actors and well illuminated, yet all actors were at their default settings (with the exception of lift cooridors), giving a plain luminecence to most of the level. Again if the lighting was more carefully created, it would have made this level much better. Despite the above criticisms, I think that this was a great starting level and if I were them I would feel satisfied with that. Conquering the basics of UnrealEd is only the beginning with map making, which I think that the author has nearly done, however next come the painstaking journey of continual improvement to always try and create better and better maps. Scoring Breakdown: Ambience: 5.5/10 Geometry: 6.5/10 Texturing: 5.0/10 Lighting: 4.5/10 Inventory: 6.5/10 Playability: 7.5/10 TOTAL = 35.5/60

Reviewer: Tronovision

Map Name: DmResearchCenter
Author: Nicola Logrillo
Map Type: Deathmatch
Date Released: March 2008
Unreal Version: 227
Overall Rating: 6.0/10

[Download DmResearchCenter.zip] - 962 Kb

Reviewer's Thoughts:

This is the first map by this author and I thought that they did a pretty good job on it. As the name implies, the level takes place within a research center facility consisting of living quarters, storage sections, and an areas to perhaps conduct research in. While playing I found that there were lots of open crates filled with weapons and other inventory (and in some cases good items on top of the crates), a decent array of inventory and wide hallways allowing for dodging room. I think my favorite portion of the level was the upper garden and I thought that the lighting was done best there.

Considering this was their first map, the author seems to have a pretty good handle on UnrealEd and had managed to make some nice looking lifts, terrain (2D editor), and other nice brushwork as well as good zoning and level effects (some of these are completely looked over in early maps). However, there are some areas which could use some improvement, mainly in the areas of lighting and texturing (these two categories can make or break a level in my mind).

For the most part, textures were chosen well but were poorly aligned or were blured and distorted. Taking the time to align all of the texture in the level would have greatly improved the appearance (and experience) of the map. I found that the entire level was fitted with light actors and well illuminated, yet all actors were at their default settings (with the exception of lift cooridors), giving a plain luminecence to most of the level. Again if the lighting was more carefully created, it would have made this level much better.

Despite the above criticisms, I think that this was a great starting level and if I were them I would feel satisfied with that. Conquering the basics of UnrealEd is only the beginning with map making, which I think that the author has nearly done, however next come the painstaking journey of continual improvement to always try and create better and better maps.

Scoring Breakdown:

Ambience: 5.5/10
Geometry: 6.5/10
Texturing: 5.0/10
Lighting: 4.5/10
Inventory: 6.5/10
Playability: 7.5/10

TOTAL = 35.5/60