News 004: The Updates and Plans for 2007

Conclusion to 2006
Well there goes by another year, and quite a good one for me even if it had a lot of downsides to it. But there were some highlights and also some good releases and games to play throughout the year. To conclude the year, the site from posting this news article currently has 243 reviews. Ofcourse not all of them are of great quality but still a good enough achievement. Either that or I have too much free time.

Updates?
In other news however, I have updated both the Sunset and Sunrise theme, fixed up some things here and there. There is also another theme available called, Mystic, which uses another great skybox from Hipshot like that other two and hope people like it. Ofcourse there are some display issues I’ve yet to solve for those who it occurs to. I have found a solution and it should be up soon but I’m not promising anything. Ofcourse feedback would be great for those who test it.

Other website plans?
I haven’t got any new major ideas for the site as of yet, but I will be updated it every now and then to make it better for the reader to enjoy. I also would like to work a bit more on the comment system to make it a little more interesting. I did get rid of the white boxes though so it blends better with the rest of the page. I’ll also find time to finish off the projects section including in-depth information on all my dead stuff for anyone who is interested.

Modding related plans?
Many ideas, but I’d like to finish what I have started first. In a previous post I have stated that my System Episode was close to dying. But I have decide that its still worth completing but will have many major changes and will finally conclude the story as best I can. Before that I have a smaller project set in a mansion. More on that later in the year. Ofcourse a few other Duke3D and Half Life ideas which I wont discuss as of yet, but they’re pretty interesting in my opinion. But lets finish what I have at the moment before I abandon yet more projects.

Imagination World Version 2

So what’s all this Version 2 nonsense then?
Imagination world V2 is basically what I wanted IW to be, but couldn’t due to restrictions with v1.3D. It contains a new 4th episode which takes James on an epic quest through time to stop Earth’s enivitable destruction.

Epic you say.
Yes – the 4th episode has a story that you can follow by talking to people, reading books & computers, & of course watching it unfold before your eyes. It’s Epic because it also ties in with Survival (I released a Tech demo ages ago) & because I said so!

What about the first 3 episodes? Any reason for me to replay them?
Yep – loads and loads of stuff has been added to the first 3 episodes, including a few new levels for episode 1, more secrets, more enemies .etc

Any new features? Improvements?
A lot of new stuff has been added to IW. Most of the weapons have been updated & function differently to IW, the enemies have been improved upon, and there are more items to collect. Different footstep & landing sounds have been implemented to give the enviroment a more ‘realistic’ feel (Ever played Timesplitters 2? That didn’t have any footstep sounds if I remember correctly & it didn’t feel right)

What is Defensemode?
In Defense mode you must battle waves of enemies with limited weapons and equipment to gain points. The stronger an enemy, the more points you get. Once you reach 200 or more points you can exit the level with the points you’ve earned. Alternatively, you can stay and fight to gain more points (However the risk of losing all your points earned on that level if you die gets higher) Upon selecting the Defense mode episode, you start in the Lobby area. Here you can select your character, view and purchase upgrades and then select the area you wish to fight in. So far there are 10 levels, however if Defense mode proves popular than chances are I will make an add-on with more levels and perhaps even new characters.

What about the characters?
There are 5 characters, of which only 1 is available at the start. You can unlock the others by completing the other episodes. Each character starts with a Pistol, Shotgun and Assault rifle (Although the actual weapon and the ammunition amount differs between characters. For example, James starts with a Red9, M3 and a TMP whereas the Government Trooper starts with a USP, Mossberg and M4A1) Each character also has unique upgrades which can enhance/replace existing weapory as well as brand new weapons. Only James and the Government Trooper have been revaled – the other characters are specific to their episodes and so would spoil it and the suprise (obviously) if revealed.

Requires: Eduke32
Type: Singleplayer
Forum: Here
Website: Here
Author(s):

Media:

Dwell Single Player

Gameplay
Somewhat a prequel to Half Life and an interesting idea to how Gordon gets into Black Mesa. But it’s not your typical action packed adventure however as the fights are quite light with small hordes of a few select creatures from Xen, some of which have been given a new texture, and a few zombies also here and there. Flow is very well balanced, though with only a small amount of weapons and limited supplies the short map pack is very enjoyable and a little challenging. The starting cutscene pretty much sums up what you’ll be doing as the diner waitress tells you some things, eventually setting out on a small task to this house she mentioned. But a majority of the map pack is spent in some caves, though some of the dark areas can be quite an annoyance to explore, there isn’t many of them.

Design
Great stucture throughout every level that is both clean and solid that clearly shows it has been hard worked on. Structure and details are everywhere, first noticable in the house from wooden beams to the furniture placed around the building, all constructed using brushes and done well. Even the rock formations in the caves are done tidily preventing the player from getting stuck anywhere on them, same goes for the ground. Water that was used also blended perfectly with the caves, at a good level of lighting and transparency it didn’t cause anything to go out of place and ruin the design. Texturing is also another good job, clean and solid where each one is well chosen and aligned well. Lighting is moderate, mostly brighter in the house yet dim throughout the caves, with a tone that fit with its source. There was a really dark of the cave a little later in that was quite annoying but nothing too troublesome and the area is quite short. Lastly, although the map has quite a bit of detail it runs very smoothly without any slowdowns located anywhere which is also another plus to the map pack.

Overall Conclusion
Enjoyable, very well design map pack.

Author: Brenda Ellen Perdion
Type: Singleplayer
Rating: 90%
Download: Here / Alternative Mirror / Deathmatch Version

Sweet Half Life

Gameplay
You take the role of another character in the Black Mesa facility and expierence the madness once again as Xen aliens have started to spawn everywhere. New characters, weapons and enemies are used here and there throughout the modifacation, a few weapons which are rather useful to help complete your task. You’ll be venturing through several areas of Black Mesa once again and ofcourse visiting Xen but the flow was a little tiresome though interesting with a few funny cutscenes to add some light humour in there, and ofcourse plot twists. Some challenging areas are placed in several spots which can be difficult at times but nothing impossible to complete. Health might be an issue if you don’t watch what your doing since there isn’t a large supply of medikits and chargers around, which can cause some spots trick. Especially when dealing with Gargs. Lastly a small note that there is two possible endings to the modifacation.

Design
Above average structure wise throughout with some great constructions here and there although a few large areas that can feel a little empty at times. Different themes and styles have been used for other areas of the complex, although several corridors looked boring. Texturing is quite average with a typical Black Mesa style and usage everywhere with misaligned textures in some spots. Tone mixes well as they should, and the texturing does get better later in the modifacation and get a little more tidier. Lighting is moderate, although lacks some atmosphere in a few places where it could have been used, is decent enough and keeps places well lit, and matching its source. There are also a few other decent locations and details worth noting which I’d rather not spoil.

Overall Conclusion
Challenging, with some light humour and above average design throughout.

Author: Marc Ellis, Koumei Satou and Team.
Type: Singleplayer
Rating: 90%
Download: Here / Alternative Mirror

X-Treme Violence

Gameplay
Short, single map mission that was originally a design test given in an interview from a gaming company. Although the length isn’t long it’s still quite enjoyable but the action is very light with only a few enemies of grunts and female assassins. Basically, terrorists are doing something and you’re there to stop it and retrieve something. Some new sounds to add in some unique ambience and a new crowbar replacement which actually fit well.

Design
Fantastic, the main highlight obviously with a solid structure which is detailed well and looks clean. Texturing is also great, using the custom created textures perfectly and aligned well throughout which also have a good blending of colours so nothing is out of place. Lighting throughout is moderate with no complaints, which looks good and fits the tone of the source well.

Overall Conclusion
Short, design test but still enjoyable.

Author: Cayle George
Type: Singleplayer
Rating: 78%
Download: Here

Caged

Gameplay
You’ve been taken prisoner and caged within the facility, however you decide to break free and escape the place. You start in your cell and must find out a simple solution to start your escape and from then on the action can be quite tricky since you don’t get any decent weapons too soon and only few supplies of health and batteries. You’ve got to rely on your wits and do things quickly to get those items you need. You’ll be facing the grunts throughout this one with a simple balance though most are simple to take out, with other simple puzzles and tasks to do here and there to escape.

Design
Above average with some simple structure that is used throughout the map with a lot of pipes and vents used to detail some areas up. Texturing is good, however the same style is used everywhere and can look a little bland but fits with the prison facility theme, with a few computers here and there to break the look up a bit. Lighting is moderate and kept bright with some nice orange-yellow lights inside the vents preventing them from being dark and annoying.

Overall Conclusion
Short map. Tricky, enjoyable gameplay with above average yet repeatitive design.

Author: Cayle George
Type: Singleplayer
Rating: 75%
Download: Here

Two Smoking Barrels

Gameplay
Five maps of action packed adventure fighting against several different types of enemies, but mostly the military grunts. Basically, your task is to operate a satelite which will fix the portals to Earth which should stop Xen creatures teleporting in when they feel like it. There’s more than enough supplies around and a good amount of enemies to fight, however a few easy shots can be taken at them quite a lot. Some nice balance and flow, and throughout there is a lot of explosive entertainment with grenades flying everywhere which adds a little bit of enjoyment there.

Design
Below average at first but starts to pick up a little bit on the third level in the pack. Structure wise is very basic with simple constructions with a lot of prefabs being used. Texturing is also average with some boring usage in a lot of places, but as mentioned earlier the design gets a little better later in. Lighting was again, average which did it’s job well but could have looked more interesting in a lot of places.

Overall Conclusion
Quite enjoyable map pack, though with an average design.

Author: Martin Stephenson
Type: Singleplayer
Rating: 58%
Download: Here

Between Two Worlds

Gameplay
You don’t remember anything of your past and find yourself trapped in some glass cage. Luckily something goes wrong letting you escape and take revenge on those keeping you prisoner. Straight forward gameplay where you travel from one area to next with some tiresome fights and short cutscenes inbetween. All together there are nine short maps which usually have plenty of supplies around.

Design
Average with some simple structures, few details and some good enough texturing throughout each map. None of the structures sparks much interest and there are a few quite basic parts here and there. Lighting was also quite average, though some really bad colour lighting at the start which was using intense reds and blues.

Overall Conclusion
Tiresome gameplay, with average design throughout.

Author: Andreas ‘Widowmaker’ Bauer
Type: Singleplayer
Rating: 58%
Download: Here

Little Bookshop of Horrors

Gameplay
You were awoken due to the new construction of the bookshop next to your grave and decide to take revenge for disturbing your slumber. Short map with only a few enemies used, mostly zombies and monks which don’t pose much of a challenge. The overall task is basically to find the key while fighting off a few enemies and exit the map making this around a five minute expierence.

Design
Pretty much average, with simple structure and details throughout as nothing really good stands out. Texturing is again average but used well, good blend but some bad alignments in several areas, especially the doors.

Conclusion
Short map, average gameplay and design.

Overall Rating: 50%

Author: Michael Thomas
Download: Here

Ravenloft – Chapter 1: The Village of Barovia

Gameplay
Quite a challenge, especially as many of the monks can pick you off from a distance if they notice you soon enough. Several zombies and monks are used throughout the map, with a few other creatures which could have been used more here and there to add a little more variety. Good blance of ammo and health, but could have used more in a few places. There doesn’t seem to be any major gameplay except fighting your way towards the castle above the mountain to end the map. Could have had a better flow yet it is still an enjoyable experience.

Design
The first thing you’ll notice once loading the map is the well made woodland area with a path which takes you towards the town, is constructured realistically and with decent texturing to help make it look better. Nothing looks blocky in these areas as the oddly shaped walls prevent that and keep the location looking correct with a few usages of sprites and some well done lighting. Eventually after following the path, you come across what looks like at first a small village but soon finding out it’s a large town with many buildings, each with its own design, style and shape though with matching textures to keep the colour tone and choices balanced. Some of which can be entered, though the interior design is rather average and empty. For the rest of the map, it has a few quite large open areas and other places worth a visit. Few small errors and bugs, and a wierd sky issues near the mountian you soon climb up but doesn’t cause any major gameplay issues.

Conclusion
Well designed, enjoyable map. Gameplay could have been a little better though.

Overall Rating: 85%

Author: Michael Shire
Download: Here