Opium by InsaneKid (opium) - ..::LvL - Quake 3 Arena Maps (Q3A Custom Maps)

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Opium by InsaneKid - 29 Nov 2011

Video - Panorama - Download » MHGaming, ..::LvL (13.33MiB, 824 d/loads) - Permalink -

Download » MHGaming, ..::LvL (13.33MiB)
Video Readme Maps by Author

Game type:	DM, Team DM, 3-6 players
Weapons:	x3 x3 x2 x2
Items:	x2 x2 x3 x2 x2 x2 x11 x21 x8
Bots:
Theme:	No theme keywords yet
Textures:	No texture keywords yet

Rate release: Currently 7 / 10 (5 votes)

140

39d3f79ab10147bcb2ade07b763ac077

Your vote:

0 / 10

According to the readme, this map was originally supposed to be submitted for the second edition of the Maverick Mapping Competition, but somehow never made it in the contest. It is "the 2nd part of the adventure-pack about Dr. Carmack and Mr. Berger", although I have no idea where the first part exists besides InsaneKid's hard drive. Note that there is a short story in the readme as well, telling the time period, location, and characters involved.

The story lets us know that the arena takes place in 1832 on the 13th of December. The aesthetics are mostly true to what you would find in this era, including a custom track which is a loop of Prince Igor - but thematically it does come off as confused. Sometimes I wondered what country I was supposed to be in. At first glance I'm thinking I'm in England, but then I spot cylindrical Kanji lamps hanging off the ceilings. Add to the mix some pictures of "Fear The Undead" which look like advertisements, and overall the arena feels more whimsical than realistic. Then again, maybe this was the author's intention - although with the story that comes with it I wonder what compelled the author to pursue this artistic direction. Maybe he was reading Sherlock Holmes, listening to Turning Japanese, watching Dawn of the Dead, and designing this arena all at the same time, who knows.

Normally I despise symmetrical layouts since they tend to be somewhat boring, but you don't really notice it due to the complexity. Opium is tight and vertical, which will appeal to fans of close-range combat. In addition, the map's speed is increased significantly with the use of teleporters and air tunnels. Both the tunnels and some ladders are unique elements providing some flavor to the arena, but unfortunately the former is marred by the fact that you can occasionally get caught on the light fixtures inside. This issue could have easily been fixed with the non-solid shader property. Besides that, there are other strange quirks, such as wooden guardrails allowing you to move straight through them on one side, but restraining you on the other.

To sum it all up, this map is visually interesting and has okay gameplay, but the problems mentioned earlier will inevitably make it a candidate for deletion soon enough. I advise that the author look into it and give it a bit of tuning so it can reach it's full potential.

Reviewed by EmeraldTiger

Update: The current download contains number of changes and tweaks from the original release. These include; snow, re-worked lights and brushwork, two Shotguns added and some texture changes. 21st Dec, 2011

2189

Posted comments:

#6 Mark

10 Feb 2012, 22:52 EST

another disappointment for me. i went to this especially because of "Haunted" which in my mind is a really fun and novel ffa. this reminded me of sherlock holmes - a fun movie, but as a level was a again for me little too swamped in the novelty factor at the expense of gameplay. a little restraint in all those interesting ideas wouldnt go astray. they don't ALL have to go in the one map - it makes it feel a little manic and anxious and the level kinda gets lost in the pomp and flash. a hot mess for me i'm afraid but haunted is brilliant.

#5 InsaneKid
Not registered
22 Dec 2011, 18:32 EST

The map includes several features!
like jumpTubes, ladders, semi-obstacles, flickerin lights and multi-connectivity!
I have added snow and reworked some things (esp. the lights)!

Have a Merry xMas!
>>>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWwYZTpVqXg

Greetz, kid.

#4 fKd

07 Dec 2011, 15:11 EST

yeah heh np, i do agree with your review in a lot of ways, and i do generally enjoy reading your reviews. for some reason that sentence just kinda rubbed me the wrong way.

#3 EmeraldTiger

07 Dec 2011, 12:40 EST

I agree that I was a bit vague in the review. I think the gameplay is pretty nice actually (I never said it wasn't to my taste, I just said I *usually* do not like symmetrical maps, and I stated that this was an exception, meaning it is good) and a lot of people might like it, and I definitely think there was a lot of hard work put into it - the problems have more to do with construction practices, etc. rather than the map as a whole. As I mentioned in the review, it is possible for the player to get caught on the light fixtures in the air tunnels. This can be frustrating and it is something that if fixed (which is very easy, all that is needed is to use a nonsolid shader) could greatly improve the flow - when I played this map I sometimes had to retry going through a tunnel two or three times before I could make it up - to me this is unacceptable.

There's also the strange problem with some of the wooden guardrails in the map as mentioned in the review. They're like one-sided guardrails essentially - as I noticed that they block you on the walkway but you can pass right through them on the other side. This is rather strange and I don't see why it would have to be this way, except maybe to make some jumps easier - although in CPM you could probably ramp jump off them anyway.

I think the map is very cool and the theme is unique - but issues like the light fixtures blocking movement do hurt it a lot. I had absolutely no intention of bashing the author in any way and wrote my review like anyone else would. And as the last words mention, giving it a bit of fine-tuning by fixing those issues will make it a fantastic arena in my records. I'm sorry if the words came off harsh - It's just that I hate being accused of putting down others. I also have a tendency to put gameplay as being the top priority in maps because I consider it far more important than visuals imho - but if it sounded too lopsided then I apologize.

Edited: 07 Dec 2011 AEST

#2 fKd

07 Dec 2011, 11:20 EST

"the problems mentioned earlier will inevitably make it a candidate for deletion soon enough." what problems are those? 2 paragraphs about the story? and then you pan it for not being what you like gameplay wise in maps? many players enjoy different styles of gameplay. maybe try making better stuff yourself before telling others their hard work should be deleted, esp in a review.... :/

i mean, you can say delete this map if its like a box map, or has glaring technical issues. but not because its not your cup of tea gameplay wise.

for some reason i thought i should say something... prolly should not... heh

hang in there insanekid, i like your work. its unique which is something sorely missing in the q3a mapping community.

#1 CZghost

06 Dec 2011, 23:42 EST

This map is really great! The flickering candle lights are amazing!