Introduction
Quite some time ago, I had the thought to move from HTML to the WordPress blog software. Although I wasn’t quite sure since I had redesigned my website not long before thinking about it. I then decided to ask PlanetPhillip for his opinion. He said I should consider doing it but I was worried I would rip off his site. He told me not to worry and sometime later I decided to do it. And finally, today it is finished enough for the public to browse. Right now, there are issues with some browsers and screen resolutions at 1024*768. These will be sorted out in due time, selectable on the themes menu in the near future.
Benefits using Blog Software
For me, it is a lot quicker and faster to produce and edit entries with a few clicks and no need to reupload the HTML file inorder for it to update. Adding new pages, links and editing saves a lot of time as well, since they are created with a few clicks. WordPress also has a plugin feature so I can add some interesting things as time goes by and other treats for the User. For you, there is quite a lot this software change offers. Firstly, the choice to change themes whenever the user wishes so, included so far in Sunset, which is based off the HTML site and Sunrise, a brighter theme. Secondly, the ability to search the site. Previously, this wasn’t possible and since the site will soon grow larger it’ll be a fuss to search through every page. Thirdly, the ability to comment to posts. Previously I had to rely on members to post on the forum for their opinions on maps and reviews, now it is possible withing the same post on the site. I find the site is also a lot nicer to browse through compared to the HTML version, but the bugs in other browsers and screen resolutions affects this for other users which is a shame, hopefully to be sorted out soon.
Credits
Hipshot – For the skyboxes for me to create the banners.
James Manning – For supporting the site and various help
Geoffrey van Dijk – Helping me with the previous HTML version of the site.
Rob Wijkstra – Testing the website in Opera browser
Stephano Lessa – Testing the website in Netscape
Sang – Testing the website
Mikko Sandt – Testing the website
Special Thanks
PlanetPhillip – He helped me make this blog possible and gave me suggestions, plugins, helped me with problems and we worked together to complete the transfer. Without him I would have struggled with this and has helped me learn more. Be sure to check out his site as well, here.
Gameplay
Quite a long keycard hunt set in a crashed submarine, with action both underwater and around the interior. Map is lengthened out with a few switch and explosive puzzles placed fairly decent in the map. A varity of enemies throughout the map keeps action different and has been balanced out well. Weapon, ammo and health was very good, since there was health when I needed it later and enough ammo to fight but not too much which would make it far too easy. I got lost a few times looking for the blue key card door and kept going in circles, so there should have been some sort of clue but other than that, the map was enjoyable.
Design
Above average with a simple structure but detailed fairly well throughout. Texturing isn’t the greatest but most if it fits in the areas asigned while other times they don’t, mostly being the ceiling textures. Structure of the map was alright but a little too tight in places and could have been slightly wider and set out a bit better. Other details such as the barracks and small office were a nice touch, especially with the miniture figure of the submarine on display. Lighting was very good and looked accurate and realistic, but a few places lacked some of this.
Overall Conclusion
Simple, above average design and enjoyable varied action.
Author: James Duncan
Type: Singleplayer
Rating: 70%
Download: Here
Gameplay
A very simple keycard hunt to get to the exit while searching throughout many buildings in a small city area. A sparse amount of enemies throughout that map that hardly pose much of a threat and could have been far more to add in more exciting fights on the streets and in the buildings, although they were all individually placed well. Plenty of ammo and health around the level, ending with a few bits of it left.
Design
Structure of the map is fairly above average, nothing too major but still quite nice as the texturing and lighting really help achieve a good 3D feel to the map. Good texture choices through out all of which are aligned and used well with a few interesting uses. Some excellent lighting in this one, each wall given a certain level of shade to give that 3D look and a few smooth gradiant shades that looks quite good.
Overall Conclusion
A well designed map with solid, yet too easy, gameplay.
Author: Vedran Jelenic
Rating: 75%
Download: Here
Gameplay
Quite enjoyable without any fustration throughout. The map remained fun with a very good enemy and amoo balance with plenty of health. Weapons are given to the player in a controlled manor and all the powerups within the map are useful later on. Enemy placement can be bad in some places but most of the time it is quite good. The keycards aren’t too difficult to find, one being slightly hidden to add some varity between the other ones. The blue and yellow keycards are both needed to exit the level so the order choice to get each card is up to the player.
Design
Isn’t very good but gives the general idea of a sewer but some odd locations such as the dinning room and the crates stored ontop of the sewage. There was also quite a bit of oversized doors and a table in the map as well. Texturing is rather poor but the choices for each one weren’t too bad, structure is rather basic and too blocky as well. Use of sprites is also quite simple. Lighting was was also simple but good since it was existant throughout, although the vents were too bright.
Overall Conclusion
Simple construction with basic design but the fun gameplay makes up for the level.
Author: Anders Magnusson
Rating: 45%
Download: Here
Introduction
Action Doom is meant to try and bring back the run and gun feeling from the old 2D shooters like Contra and Metal Slug. In the tradition of such games there are no bullet weapons, only projectiles. And just like Contra every enemy and subsequently you, all have but one hit point, aside from bosses and mini bosses.
Gameplay
Very action pack wad that I found very tricky at times but also enjoyed playing it. There are a lot of enemies around that keeps the tension going, afraid of getting hit so moving around can be both handy and suicide. Each new enemy poses a different challenge, be it more or faster projectiles, to melee or being very small they offer varity to the wad. Each level has it’s own location also changing the gameplay within it, as you have the wide city level where it is easy to aviod the projectiles being shot at you, a jungle where the trees are good for cover and someimes an annoyance and dark caves where it is harder to see your opponent making the gameplay feel a little spooky in those areas. The wad includes some brand new weapons, each prove useful against different foes. I loved the plasma gun as it helped put down a bunch of enemies when I was on the brim of survival. Exploring the labs level was a fun moment from the wad, since there is a few interactive things about. I also found it to be the creepiest map with a lot of moments that almost scared me to death. Even more than what DooM3 could. Boss battles were extremely challenging to beat, lots of stuff going on at the same time, projectiles flying everywhere and many enemies to watch out for at all at once. Very entertaining. And finally, there is plenty of ammo about for the weapons and since the pistol is unlimited removes the need of finding ammo desperately since the new ones are basically “powerups” to me. There is also different skill modes you can choose from, and ofcourse a practise mode where you can start at 100 health.
Design
Top notch in every level with some very good structure work through each one, and the little details have been created very well, such as cars and computer areas. The destruction throughout the levels has been cleverly made, and look both interesting and realistic. Texturing is very good with some great choices, and aligned well. The new textures fit well with the Doom palette, except a few colours here and there, keeping the look very Doomish. Lighting is very good, especially down in the cave areas, with good use of gradiants on each one. I loved the hell level as it really feels realistic with all the tones of reds in every dirrection mixing well into each other to create that evil atmosphere. Other than that, the weapon graphics have been created very well, good colour choices and interesting designs.
Overall Conclusion
An entertaining wad with great design and fantastic, yet tricky and challenging gameplay – Very action packed.
Author: Stephen “Scuba Steve” Browning
Port: ZDoom
Rating: 97%
Download: Here
Gameplay
Quite action packed with a moderate amount of enemies, although a bit spacious. There are enough enemies to fight against to stay entertained and are placed well throughout the map, where some are placed on top of ledges to add variety to the battles. And also plenty of ammo and health to keep going unfustrated and enjoyable. The keys are well placed and the respawning enemies add in the extra length to the map which is good. Still a short one but very fun.
Design
Very tight map set in a town, but has been made very well considering the alowed gameplay area at 1024*1024. Detail is everywhere you go and looks great with some fantastic texture usage for many town structures, such as hedges, stairs and even interior objects. I did find several misaligned textures throughout which ruined the look of those areas, yet a majority of them aren’t too noticable at first. The lighting is also very good, looks realistic and works perfectly in the area it has been used, nothing too bright or dark in the map which is good. The only problem I find about the map, is that it can be quite tight in some places, but that would happen with such a limited space for the competition this wad was originally for.
Overall Conclusion
Tight gameplay, yet designed very well with good moderate action.
Author: Pawel Zarczynski
Rating: 88%
Download: Here
Gameplay
This one is a tricky wad, a bit challenging but not hard. Enemies attack you from all over the map, the street to some windows and even hard to reach places with fireball projectiles being thrown around everywhere which can be a bother when fighting a horde of enemies later on. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing though, since it keeps you alert at all times. There is enough health around however, but not too much so watching out for danger is a key since you will use up the health pretty fast. Lots of ammo about for those troublesome fights, and it’s best to go find that backpack since you’ll need to carry the extra ammo around with you. A few traps throughout with some surprises (That damn archvile scared me) and a lot of respawning enemies, usually in all directions. Map is unlinear and you have to find each key to proceed on, posing a trickier challenge after each pickup. There’s plenty of room to maneuver about in the streets, however the trees and other detauks seem to get in the way a few times which is a pain when trying to avoid Revenant missiles. Other than that the gameplay stays enjoyable and keeps you on your toes.
Design
Good structure and detail throughout the map with a constant style of buildings used, so there’s nothing out of place. Texturing is rather good, the choices fit with each area and have been aligned well. The colour choice is consistant with nothing to remove the brown tone from the map. Lots of tree sprites have been placed around, fills up the map a bit but can be annoying during gameplay. Lighting is good, nothing out of place and again fits well. A few tight areas but a majority of open rooms and streets with a good level of design which is good.
Overall Conclusion
Very good design with a challenging gameplay.
Author: Simon ‘SlayeR’ Judd
Rating: 86%
Download: Here
Note
I played this mod and Cleaner’s Adventures around the same time, so I may have gotten some bits mixed up. Sorry if this is the case, and please tell me as soon as possible and I’ll edit it out. Thanks.
Gameplay
The mod has quite a bit of variety throughout with some humourous moments. You, again, travel through the Black Mesa incident again as a different scientist. However, instead of all the action taking place in the main Black Mesa areas, you get to visit the old areas of the facility and even walk around in a hallutionation which was a hilarious moment. The mod has been put together well, with a lot of jokes throughout and some great ideas that keep the whole thing an enjoyable moment. The action is pretty easy with a few tough spots but it was all rather good, nothing too fustrating about it. The dark areas were quite creepy, especially when a headcrab jumps at you when you least expect them to be there. I like the idea of finding and collecting large batteries to do certain things around a few levels, it was funny seeing them as well.
Design
Nothing too special in this area, as everything was kept within the Black Mesa style with an average level of detail. Some rooms lacked good detailed while most felt atmospheric, especially the old part of the facility which kept it immersive to explore. The design of the first hallutionation area was quite original, some wierd construction that I found was well though out. Lighting is the same as the structure, nothing too special to comment on, only that is was good with no overuse of any coloured lights.
Overall Conclusion
Another Black Mesa theme mod with a bit more variety and fun gameplay.
Author: Daniel Squire
Type: Singleplayer
Rating: 76%
Download: Here
Note
I played this mod and Life’s End around the same time, so I may have gotten some bits mixed up. Sorry if this is the case, and please tell me as soon as possible and I’ll edit it out. Thanks.
Gameplay
Quite a difficult one this, and can get a bit tiresome although it has some interesting moments throughout. You play as a Cleaner during the Black Mesa incident, and ofcourse you have to escape and try to surive. The flow of the mod is quite good, some levels drag on but not too much, I did find there to be too many vents as well. Cutscenes are hard to know what is being said unless you understand Russian (which is a shame, since I don’t) Some of the action can be very difficult, but some fights can be avoided. Atmosphere is great when you get down into the old part of the facility, lots of dark areas and other suprises. The mod is quite lengthy, which does also help make it a bit boring. There is however plenty of health ammo around to keep going though. There were a few bugs in this too, especially when the Alien Slave is meant to break the door down where I had to noclip through since it never did.
Design
Really detailed and very well done, although some areas tend to be slow, such as the starting area. Some very good structural work and nice details everywhere, the lighting is great and keeps the Black Mesa Facility feel througout. The old part of the facility was captured the best, since it feels very loney, dark and atmospheric down there. It actually felt old with the good texture choices and tone of lights.
Overall Conclusion
Another Black Mesa theme mod, with some very good design and challenging gameplay.
Author: CAD Team
Type: Singleplayer
Rating: 85%
Download: Here
Gameplay
This one has a new storyline that has nothing to do with the Half Life storyline. You, the player, is trapped within the office you work at as terrorists have overtaken the building while you were working. The mod also includes new weapons such as a fireaxe, AK and a few more. I found this one extremely fun to play through and enjoyed every second of it. You must try to survive and escape the place. It is unlinear as you can explore each floor to your own satisfaction in any order you wish, some areas are locked but can be accessed by the vents. Although, there are still key places you must go, such as finding the security guard to continue further with the story line. You can fight the terrorists although it can be risky since there are no health pickups anywhere and a few bullets can put you down. There’s a lot to do in the mod as well, and most of the time you find yourself back tracking to other areas and developing the plot a little further. Quite lengthy and worthwhile, great cutscenes and just plain fun. I recommened you try the training room first, as it also introduces the characters and you getting the job there.
Design
Average design throughout, the texturing is quite simple and each floor is basically the same shape with different rooms placed at different areas. Normal office objects with nothing too special to comment on either. Lighting is also simple as well, but is good as well. The character models also fit with the design, since both aren’t too detailed so nothing looks too out of place, and everything gives the general idea so it’s all good.
Overall Conclusion
A very enjoyable, unlinear mod that is fun throughout.
Author: Mr Greenfish
Type: Singleplayer
Rating: 90%
Download: Here
