Superjazz
17 Feb 2008, 18:47 (edited 17 Feb 08, 18:49)
Featured
9
I haven’t yet seen a lot of work from PurpleJazz, neither reviewed any of his previous work yet. This pack though grabbed my attention, since it is about ‘legends’ and is worth reviewing(not meaning his other work wouldn’t be.)
The levels of this small CTF-pack are generally good-looking. Backgrounds aren’t the main part of it. Instead, the scenery around the sprite-layer has been focused on a lot. That way you are to see only small parts of the backgrounds. There are only few small parts in these levels that look bland at all. As well, the eyecandy doesn’t unrealistically repeat itself, nor confuse your eyes.
Positive is that these levels are pretty practical along the good looks. The author brought some concepts to prevent the levels from being just standard ctf-levels. Sure they aren’t radical gameplay-modifiers, but still they make it all more interesting. Inventing something really big and original for CTF is rather hard these days, and hard trying could often end up into something very complicated. Well, what are those concepts like here? For example ‘Altitude Terrace’ has it’s own exotic base-placement. You are able to capture/score only via underneath. There is mostly excellent flow, and you won’t have any problems to move between areas. What I like, is that the author didn’t go unnecessarily solid, and that way gives some variety between layouts. It might sometimes get a bit too tunnely though.
I find the pickup-choices and placement quite decent and suitable. Somehow, ‘Sunken Realms’ feels like it had too few ammo, probably because of it’s big size. That level, and AT give you starting ammo/powerups, that you better not waste though. Mainly each level is about one single full energy carrot that you must control. Two of them do contain minor carrots as plan B’s for injured players. One way is added necessarily to reduce annoying camping, but ‘Doomed Citadel’ should be modified a bit. It is possible to purposally get stuck into the ceiling-wall easily there. However, practically it does happen only for very unfortunate players. So good, so far.
Well, my thoughts about this pack…again? It is a decent pack offering some variety. I was hoping for a few levels more, since they were that neat. What was good, and what wasn’t as good in overall? I found eyecandy enhancing the entertainment of the levels greatly, being probably the best part. Gameplay was decent, but could have been better, just as pickups. I recommend this download for people, and nominate it to be up for the download of the month. Good job Purplejazz!
SJ
DarkSonic
23 Feb 2008, 18:32 (edited 23 Feb 08, 18:47)
9
Introduction
It’s been a while since I reviewed but I promised PurpleJazz to review his pack. This pack was going to have 5 levels at first, but it seems the author didn’t want to make another level.
Gameplay
The levels in this pack are all unsymmetrical. The layouts of the levels are a bit experimental, but there’s nothing really wrong with them. The levels don’t have some random platforms, but they are well planned. I think that Sunken Realm has the best layout, but Altitude Terrace and Evening Shades have good layouts too and some new concepts. Doomed Citadel is not bad either, but it can’t compete with the other three levels. People might call Altitude Terrace confusing at first because it’s not easy to learn. A nice concept used is that in Sunken Realm you start with a Gun8 Power-Up.
Eye candy
In my opinion the level with the best eye candy is Altitude Terrace because it uses all layers and the layers have lots of stuff. The other levels also have good eye candy.. it’s pretty original in some places. Sunken Realm uses Mystic Isle II, which hasn’t been used before the old one got updated. It has a nice background with a translucent layer 6. It didn’t crash me though. There is enough eye candy in the walls and also on places where you can actually go.
Placement of stuff
The ammo placement in the levels is nice, with some quite good shapes. I think some people might think there is not enough ammo, especially at the right side in Evening Shades. That level has a Full NRG on an interesting place, a RF PU that’s not very easy to get, and fly carrots. Sunken Realm has a Full NRG and a +1 carrot and they are close to each other. Nothing really wrong here.
Further comments
Because these levels have some original concepts they might not be very competitive. However, I think Sunken Realm can be a good level to play in. These levels are good to host in so-called ‘Random Levels’ but I think they’re more than that. It’s unfortunate that this pack only has four levels, but they’re really good. A CTF fan should download this, they’re well-known for some people already but I’m sure that there are still enough people that don’t have the levels yet.
Jimbob
23 Feb 2008, 18:56 (edited 23 Feb 08, 18:57)
9
What Bluespaz said.
FireSworD
10 Mar 2008, 22:05 (edited 7 Oct 18, 03:12)
8
These are levels that I didn’t mind playing without prior experience. Although not many new concepts, there are more elaborate versions of older ones like the carrot in Evening Shades.
If you can’t think of any levels to play, then host these.
Neo-->
26 Aug 2008, 09:02 (edited 26 Aug 08, 09:11 by cooba)
10
Cool 3D Levels!
[Review changed to 3D… I mean quick review. ~cooba]
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