Time for reviewing this little shiny UNR file.
This is possibly Xidia Gold's big hit in build. Spencer passes the best-looking map!
Architecture is very detailed in just 90% of the rooms. The exceptions are probably the vent shafts and the Genome Warriors' rooms... So I don't think there's a big problem here.
I liked the forcefield doors, finally something different to see for a while.
The lab is extremely detailed as well, although I don't get why the robots here are smaller than they are supposed to be. The second screenshot you see in the USP's review lets you show a corridor. And that corridor is until now, the most impressive thing in Unreal I ever saw. Just awesome details with the ice textures here, and lighting. There was something similar in Zephon, but not as cool as this. The rest is excellent as usual.
Lighting is right here, nice choice of colours for this map. And fortunately no fog! There's nothing to say here.
Texturing is right as well. I loved the sky in that hole from which you see that ugly rain of snow!
I have to say, though, that the ice textures, doing greatly the job, are way too low-res. Some looks really ugly up-close. I don't know if the ice really makes stuff bad to look at
Great use, but the textures don't look so good.
It's just excellent in build (if there's something I didn't like about it, that's the snow coming from the hole in the ceiling, near the exit). Although I want to know why this part of the Derelict is frozen and the ones visited by Jones has no ice issues.
Maybe the ice was supposed to make good ol' Spencer going in "Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr" mode. Maybe for scary factor, which the map has none!
Yeah, the map is pretty lacking on atmosphere if you ask me, it's extremely predictable what lays in the next room. Skaarj Hybrids and the robots actually save this in a way.
The gameplay here isn't really that spectacular. To be honest, that's a problem I find in quite every Hourences's maps. Anyone remembers Jones's Derelict maps? There were too many unbalances here, in favour of the monsters and especially Skaarj Praetorians.
Here the story is the same, but now YOU are the danger here.
The two Ice Skaarj Troopers that appear here and never more in the game (and they had an extremely cool skin... these should have been used more in this map) can be destroyed with some Sniper Rifle gaming. Any other Ice Skaarj/Skaarj Lord/Assassins have problems against the Flak Cannon. The environment isn't really wide for them in order to put a good fight.
The ambush of the Ice Skaarj appearing behind you was kinda hard for first timer, but Eightball grenades thrown on him when he's starting to run to you = player wins again.
Then we have the Genome Warriors, a.k.a. robots. They are not as awful as the ones in Beacon. Bigger and slower, they have one big weakness: the Pulse Gun.
Its secondary fire, if your accuracy is great, can stop the robot from firing, but not to move. At least it doesn't fire and you are more safe than ever!
The group can eat a pack of rockets right in their legs when the door is (suddenly) opening after you obtain the card thingy.
Nothing hard then, but refreshing for those who hate Xidia's easy challenges!
The easiest level of Spencer's adventure of course, the last two ones can be quite a pain. And no, the Queen fight is another story on Unreal difficulty, but I still managed to kill her without getting hit.
Returning to the map, I came to a conclusion:
Mister Prophet = Balanced gameplay, very good build.
Hourences = Unbalanced gameplay, ****ing awesome build.
That's my opinion, after playing them again, again, again and again.
This map is the master of ice architecture, and probably the one with best build right now released. Lacks on gameplay and architecture. A bot-type of enemy and an EE!
11/02/2008 - "The Genome Warriors" by Hourences
Moderators: Semfry, Sat42, Jigoku, UB_
- Mister_Prophet
- Red Nemesis Leader
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- Location: Lost in Oraghar
Subject:
Post Posted: 14 Feb 2008, 16:54
Few things UB mentioned in his comment I thought I'd clarify:
-The Map originally did use fog, if I remember correctly. But the framerate took a plunge, naturally.
-The reason why there is a subzero section and then normal sections in The Incident, is that the subzero labs are a special area used for the Xidian Skaarj's genetic experiments. It's necessary to create artificial arctic zones on certain patches of Xidia's surface through a controlled terra-forming system. Basically you have normal Xidia climates and suddenly there's a freak mile diameter of tundra. This isn't really explained in Xidia Gold, but there is some back story in RD to an extent.
-The Genome Warriors are in fact the lab grown Skaarj clones and the Hybrids you see in the cells, not the Cyborgs. Although log material in the map may confuse in this area, I'm not sure. The Cyborgs are different experiments in which the Skaarj make droids to mimic Terran movements and combat behaviors. They were made smaller to be more on par with the Terran stature. On the flipside, the Hybrids were made bigger to be closer to Skaarj stature.
-The Map originally did use fog, if I remember correctly. But the framerate took a plunge, naturally.
-The reason why there is a subzero section and then normal sections in The Incident, is that the subzero labs are a special area used for the Xidian Skaarj's genetic experiments. It's necessary to create artificial arctic zones on certain patches of Xidia's surface through a controlled terra-forming system. Basically you have normal Xidia climates and suddenly there's a freak mile diameter of tundra. This isn't really explained in Xidia Gold, but there is some back story in RD to an extent.
-The Genome Warriors are in fact the lab grown Skaarj clones and the Hybrids you see in the cells, not the Cyborgs. Although log material in the map may confuse in this area, I'm not sure. The Cyborgs are different experiments in which the Skaarj make droids to mimic Terran movements and combat behaviors. They were made smaller to be more on par with the Terran stature. On the flipside, the Hybrids were made bigger to be closer to Skaarj stature.
- UB_
- Nali Priest
- Posts: 7960
- Joined: 11 Nov 2007, 21:00
Subject:
Post Posted: 14 Feb 2008, 17:02
Yep true. Actually, I didn't saw any mention of the Genome Warriors apart the map's title.
One of the translator messages says that the place is cold and the climate continues to decrease thanks to the Tarydium energy testings, done by the Skaarj.
One of the translator messages says that the place is cold and the climate continues to decrease thanks to the Tarydium energy testings, done by the Skaarj.
- Mister_Prophet
- Red Nemesis Leader
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Subject:
Post Posted: 14 Feb 2008, 17:08
We really kinda sold this section short story-wise in Escape. RD will really shed a lot of light on the unanswered Xidia questions, especially in regards to the Skaarj.
- Hellscrag
- Founder
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Subject:
Post Posted: 14 Feb 2008, 20:06
Mister_Prophet wrote:I'd argue that it's the easiest level in Xidia Gold, besides the non-combat maps of course.
As long as you know how to avoid Redeemer blasts!
Life is what you make of it.
- UB_
- Nali Priest
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- Joined: 11 Nov 2007, 21:00
Subject:
Post Posted: 14 Feb 2008, 22:05
Hellscrag wrote:Mister_Prophet wrote:I'd argue that it's the easiest level in Xidia Gold, besides the non-combat maps of course.
As long as you know how to avoid Redeemer blasts!
Get behind a wall. Abuse it against other robots. Phun.
- wael
- Skaarj Lord
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- Location: KSA, Jeddah
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Subject:
Post Posted: 15 Feb 2008, 08:24
Hellscrag wrote:Yes, I know.
Yes, of course you knew ...
I just wanted to add, something, sometimes when i'm feeling horny i like to open this map up in the ed, and look at it. Seriously.
- UB_
- Nali Priest
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- Joined: 11 Nov 2007, 21:00
Subject:
Post Posted: 15 Feb 2008, 20:23
UBerserker wrote:And fortunately no fog!
Just a small correction here by me. There's fog, in the first cave where you fight those Ice Skaarj Troopers
The map could have been expanded even more in that pathway, through those two doors.
More architecture goodness, more ISTs to defeat, instead of only two!
- Darkon
- White Tusk
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Subject:
Post Posted: 15 Feb 2008, 20:32
Thanks for the vid, MMAN!
I guess the first part is the only part with fog... but other than that.. yeah, the fog would add a lot to it. But even without, it's a beauty. One of my favorite maps!
As for the redeemer blasts.. that's what killed me first when I would kill one of those cuties.
I guess the first part is the only part with fog... but other than that.. yeah, the fog would add a lot to it. But even without, it's a beauty. One of my favorite maps!
As for the redeemer blasts.. that's what killed me first when I would kill one of those cuties.
Never trust a Dutchman in a tulip fight.
- Hellscrag
- Founder
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Subject:
Post Posted: 15 Feb 2008, 21:53
Darkon wrote:As for the redeemer blasts.. that's what killed me first when I would kill one of those cuties.
Actually, that's what caused me to stop playing the first time I attempted to play "Xidia: The Escape"...
Life is what you make of it.
- Darkon
- White Tusk
- Posts: 2239
- Joined: 12 Nov 2007, 15:11
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Subject:
Post Posted: 15 Feb 2008, 22:42
Hellscrag wrote:Darkon wrote:As for the redeemer blasts.. that's what killed me first when I would kill one of those cuties.
Actually, that's what caused me to stop playing the first time I attempted to play "Xidia: The Escape"...
simplest remedy: god mode.
Edit: I always read "Gnome Warriors" instead of "Genome Warriors".
Never trust a Dutchman in a tulip fight.
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