About
Taken from their website; Penumbra uses our in-house develop 3D engine, featuring the latest graphics and physics technologies. Thanks to these technologies Penumbra is able to immerse players into it’s world of horror, unlike anything seen before within the genre. Dynamic shadows, normal mapping and specular effects creates a dark dynamic visual environment, creating a world of constant change. Motion blur, noise filters and bloom is used to create a world where sanity has no place. The physics engine, using Newton Game Dynamics, allows the player to interact with object in new ways where doors drawers needs to be pulled open and doors barricaded to keep the evil out. Each object creates unique sounds based on surface and force, you can never predict how anything will behave or sound in this world. In Penumbra the player finds himself in an underground base on Greenland, searching for his lost father. It’s an adventure horror game, free from classic first person shooter elements, with an emphasise on puzzle solving and exploring. Constantly on your toes you will never know what to expect, with no weapons how do you protect yourself? Penumbra is currently available as a technology demonstration, some say it’s too scary to even try.
Short Review
The first thing that came into thought was how good the graphics were for a non commerical game. Although some textures felt rather grainy, it’s quite like a more advanced Source engine. The game is rather creepy, due to the fact you don’t have any weapons except a few sticks of dynamite. Yet those are hard to make the explosion count. The way physics are used are a huge plus, instead of a simple click to open lockers and doors, you have to pull or push them open manually adding to immersion and realism. Overall it’s a fun game to play, especially if you’re into survival horrors and adventure games.
Website: Fictional Games
Gameplay
A rather simple map where you get from point one to the end which a few enemies on the way. Nothing too hard except when you get near the end with the Garg. This part can randomise at times, since most of the time it will kill the scientist and fail your mission or chase after you. Either kill it, or protect the scientist another way from getting killed so you can progress and complete the map. Previous fights pose no threat at all and theres plenty of items for the map, although it gets really boring.
Design
Below average a lot of the times, with simple structure and basic texturing. Although there were a few good looking rooms, but nothing major. Texturing wasn’t exactly bad either, there were well chosen and blended perfectly with each other but again, not major. Lighting was again good, nothing to complain about although nothing to credit either.
Overall Conclusion
Simple design and structure with an easy, yet boring gameplay with no sense of accomplishment.
Author: Hoang Tran
Type: Singleplayer
Rating: 20%
Download: Here
Gameplay
Very balanced and enjoyable gameplay, with plenty of enemies to fight against and enough items to keep the excitement to last. Mainly a keycard hunt, but as each key is taken, more enemies respawn into the area for the player to fight against to remove the boredom of an empty street. A few secret little locations and quite a few easter eggs to enjoy within the map as well, although if you are active within AMC forums.
Design
Great design that slightly resembles the commerical mod, Duke Caribbean yet with it’s own style and feel. New textures are used throughout the map, which add that extra feel to the map, help create the hot , tropical weather and something different for a change. First off, the structure is rather square but otherwise still looks good with variety in height in some places. The location looks quite realistic too, with the cars parked on the road and other city sprites being used. Interiors of each of the buildings have their own look and good size layout, detail everywhere and ofcourse some great texturing. Shading is existant everywhere, feels right and keeps the realism there.
Overall Conclusion
Very balanced gameplay with a great, tropical feel and design.
Author: Rob “HighWire” Wijkstra
Rating: 94%
Download: Here
Gameplay
Rather easy except closer to the end when there are a few more enemies about but nothing hard at all as the player is given enough supplies to survive and beat the level. Most of the map is pressing consoles and fighting the combine, with a few small interesting moments and puzzles, however very linear and still a bit boring.
Design
Average all the way few, with a few structure errors here and there. Texturing was also quite moderate with some fitting choices but could have been used a lot better, as with the lighting, especially outside with the intense sunlight shining on the rocks and wall of the building. There was a lot of ambience sounds used throughout the map though which was a good touch so it felt more alive, yet the overall design wasn’t very good.
Overall Conclusion
Average design, with simple gameplay.
Author: Exos
Type: Singleplayer
Rating: 32%
Download: Here
Gameplay
Something new and fresh for Half Life 2, with an unlinear start. You start in your flat and learn about your mission in the basement with a few other interesting things about, especially as the text explains some objects around the area to make them mean something which kept it a little immersing. You then enter a small city area and must follow small tasks to complete your mission yet it can get a little confusing but possible and fun. There’s different ways to complete this section and completely up to the player but after you escape in the sewer the action is rather average throughout until the end, with very few other neat moments but gameplay here is still rather typical.
Design
A little above average in most places, with some good use of props and some very good texturing. The structure for most of the buildings internally and externally were rather decent but some areas didn’t look as good as the rest, like the ones closer to the end for example. Lighting was average, it wasn’t exactly bad nor was it great but still fit quite well throughout the map.
Overall Conclusion
New and fresh gameplay with a decent design although some areas could have been better.
Author: Mr. Deathwish
Type: Singleplayer
Rating: 72%
Download: Here
Gameplay
Balanced and fair throughout although could have used a few more enemies around the main complex areas. The flow is rather done well as everything has a nice pace to it, weapons are given to you in decent locations with little yet plenty of ammo around. Only zombies and headcrabs are used in the map, in good numbers each time that doesn’t cause too much fustration with little, yet plenty of health around. Not real goal to the map except fighting the zombies and surviving until the end, with a linear path to follow. A lot of ambience sounds are used that make the complex feel more alive and the exteriors more realistic, and other sudden sounds that adds to the horror theme a little bit more.
Design
Uses a lot of detail props throughout the entire map although they have been used very well, used in places they should be and mix well with the rest of the design, although the structure of the complex could have been more interesting. Texturing was done well, although average throughout as they mix well together, especially with the models. The lighting is also good in most areas, the red lights were a bit too intense in colour though yet still added to the atmosphere.
Overall Conclusion
Balanced gameplay with good design and use of detail props, however structure could have been better.
Author: Unknown
Type: Singleplayer
Rating: 60%
Download: Here
Gameplay
This map flows very well from the begining through to the end at a fantastic pace. However, closer to the end it gets quite difficult but if done right is very possible. Just the right amount of action during and after each objective as you progress further, slightly better than the original missions in the game therefore a good balance. As you play, you come across some cutscenes which are helpful to know where you must go, some can be slightly funny. Also included is new audio for the radio to also guide you in the mission and clear to understand, which makes the map more immersive and fun to play. Enemies are all soldiers, and plenty of them around with a large variety in their weaponary making it feel more realistic and more choice in your armoury. Health is limited, so avoiding fire as much as possible is best for this map, since most health is located in shacks near enemy territory. Gameplay is very linear, as you’ll also be doing some back tracking to other locations by pressing switches, using computers or blowing up areas in a compound. They can be approached anyway the player wishes to as their is a little more freedom and paths to take, with plenty of trees and plants to hide in, however finding the best one for the last objective was a bit of a job for me. There is also a small limit of checkpoints which also causes the player to be a little more careful in their mission, although there are plenty around, but it’s very possible to die as you get closer to the next one due to an increase in enemies when revisiting a location.
Design
Beautiful throughout from start to finish with very well made terrain plentiful in vegetation keeping the place feeling very tropical and realistic. Paths and some signs are helpful to the player know the basic route to where they must go with areas beside them they could take instead. Roads are wide enough for the jeeps to drive through and getting stuck is at a low risk too keeping those parts enjoyable. Shacks and interiors have been used very well where the enemies are located, with plenty of objects and furniture layed out adding to realism much more, especially in the compound with lots of rooms throughout. Other than that, lighting is kept moderate and realistic and high mountains are blocked to prevent the player accessing areas they shouldn’t, especially too early in the level.
Overall Conclusion
Balanced gameplay with a very good flow, and beautiful design in both the exteriors and interiors.
Author: Darren Warwicker
Rating: 80%
Download: Here
Gameplay
Moderate difficulty throughout in this map, but still rather easy around the beginning parts. Good length and size for the map with variety in locations, as you explore the landscape with plenty of foilage, enter some caves then into some compound, the latter part being the hardest. Included in the small mod are some new weapons and other little extras, especially the comical moments you’ll come across. Only human enemies throughout this mod, some that pose a large threat while others seem dumbfound during some areas of the mission, like the area with the bridge. A lot of weapon choice for the player and a lot of ammo, but too much of it and grenades which causes the fights to be simple with no real challenge. The overall goal of each objective is to find ways into the areas you must access, being it a keycard, switch or explosive it’s all simple to do. There were some interesting moments though, such as the laser grid in one room, without spoiling it too much. Health and armour was never much of a problem as it’s plentiful and the guards drop it quite a lot, this also ruined the challenge to survive but sometimes the fights can get rough causing your health to drop fast, yet those moments were fustrating.
Design
The mod is set at night and catches the atmosphere pretty well in a lot of areas as the tarrain has a lot of vegetation and rocks that make the outside make up for it. Interiors have been put together well, with a few rooms that felt out of place at times due to their different looks, but everything else was very well done and had some great lighting throughout. Some places outside felt cramped, such as the enemy bases with a few things being too close together although it wasn’t much a problem but still bothered me. The caves were the best part as they had the most atmospher with its lighting and structure, sounds of creaking wood also helped achieve a realistic touch to the place.
Overall Conclusion
A solid, enjoyable mod with new weapons, although a bit too easy at first.
Author: Matto Original
Rating: 90%
Download: Here
Gameplay
“This standalone single-player level for F.E.A.R. takes place in an alternate version of the original game’s universe.” A short map yet balanced map with a moderate level of difficulty throughout. Plenty of cover to hide from enemy fire, and enough room to fight in. The player is also given enough weapons and other items to survive with. New voices have been recorder to brief you on your mission and start to unfold the story by laptops adding a fresh experience to the map. Exploring the small mansion area at the start had some creepy vibes to it, especially with some slight paranormal events taking place, but the small twist helped make it better. The length of the map may be short but it remains fun until the end with plenty of action inbetween.
Design
The first location you explore is a small mansion area that has an interesting atmosphere to it, thanks to the textures and old look it is given. The other areas have also been made to look believable and have enough space to navigate in as I already mentioned. Plenty of detail every where with furniture and other objects to help. The lighting throughout also adds to the mysterious mood of the map, most of it being quite dark but at a good level.
Overall Conclusion
Short and balanced with an atmospheric design.
Author: Steve Gaynor
Rating: 80%
Download: Here
Story
Shantytown takes place in an imagined future reality where the earth has been largely overtaken by a jungle of poisonous fungus. Humanity has taken refuge in towering vertical cities protected by massive walls that spray fungicide into the jungle to keep it at bay. A heartless plutocracy controls these cities from the highest levels, while the poor and underprivileged live in squalid conditions in the lower levels. Our story takes place on the tenth level of one of these cities. Technology is more advanced than it is today, but it is only available to the wealthy people at the top. Most people in the city make do with run-down, dilapidated 21st century technology.
Gameplay
Like every other point and click game, you control your character by clicking on locations in the map and she will walk there. You can talk with people with options with what to say and do tasks for them. You can also examine, pick up and use objects to complete your tasks to get further in the game. You also have a robot that follows you called T.E.D who can help you with things such as freezing objects, using its magnet or using fire. Finding out what you must do and how you should do it isn’t much of a problem and fairly straight forward but you might get lost at times. The game also features some new voice acting to create a more unique world removing that Half Life 2 feel to it. It remains fun throughout but sometimes fustrating when your character runs back to where she was if you accidently click when the camera angle changes. There is also a bug near the characters house at the back, T.E.D gets stuck and you can’t use him anymore making it impossible to continue. This can be avoided by no going there as you dont ever need to, only the metal plate on the floor.
Design
Very detailed enviroment and the surround outskirts with all the giant mushrooms and other vegetation creates an immersive world. The buildings look run down and cheap due to the story and have been structured well with great texture choices. Lots of props are also used to help detail the areas but in a good way and placed logically. Other graphics, such as those in the bottom right hand corner are sharp, clear and look good as well as the text boxes. Personally, I didn’t like the look of the main character but everyone else’s reskins looked good.
Overall Conclusion
A fun and original yet short point and click mod, for the Source Engine. Goes to show what can be done.
Author: Shantytown Team
Type: Singleplayer
Rating: 88%
Download: Here
