DmUrbanAssault

DmUrbanAssault

Author : Badboy Version : 224 Release Date : n/a

Map

Urban Assault Author..............Badboy.............Reviewer...........Xavious

Ok, now, I'll be frank. The reason I like this map is because it is easy to review. I do not need to go into detail about why the bad bits are bad, I do not need to give a long overview of the map (since this map is so detailed that I wouldn't be willing to do that anyway), and I do not need to tell you why the good bits work well. Here are the basic facts:

This map has just about the best texture work I've seen. There are literally no 'texture inconsistencies' at all. By this, I mean that there are no areas where a texture is cut off in an inappropriate place. Everything flows perfectly.

This map has some excellent geometry. The apartment block hallways really feel like the run-down, derelict place that it is meant to be, with the sections of floor crumbled away to leave the support beams sticking out, and the simply excellent use of stairs and banisters.

This map does work very well with the Serpentine mod. The Glocks and the HKs (or whatever the HKs are called in Serpentine) seem right at home in this drab, civic environment. Looks like something straight out an action movie or action TV series. I can just imagine Jack Bauer, the head field agent for CTU, in the TV show '24,' jumping out from the corner with his MP5.

Now to the not-so-good points. I think this map has too many missed opportunities. Looking around the map, don't you just long to be able to climb out a window, and edge across a thin ledge, to a well placed sniping spot? Or to take a running leap out the window to land on a far balcony, where a well placed machine gun gives you a great tactical advantage. I guess this is just a matter of taste, but play the map and maybe you'll see what i mean...

But, I think, from all the maps I've seen, I have to say this map is by all accounts an urban jungle. And a damn good one at that.

Highlights: The crumbled areas of wall and floor; The derailed train; The perfect use of textures...

Lowlights: Too many wasted opportunities for nice areas.

Geometry: 9/10 - Quite excellent. Especially the stairs, banisters, and crumbled floors and walls. Lighting: 8/10 - Functional. Not exactly a highlight, but does the map fine. Textures: 10/10 - Perfect. The best I've ever seen. Inventory: 7/10 - Lacking a bit. I often found myself still with the handgun, and the enemy with machine guns. Bots: 9/10 - As functional as was necessary (Tested with the default Serpentine DM game type).

Overall: 9/10 - An excellent map, whether used with Serpentine, or just normal DM.