I played both of these online with a couple of people, and thought they could use another review. So i’ll quickly state my impressions on both of the levels and how they played.
Tyuka’s Realm Forsaken
I had a duel in here, and it’s a really hectic level. The scores just kept piling up with both me and my opponent trying to out-rush each other in a really crazy way. When we both captured the map became a lot more strategic, with a lot of anticipating the opponent’s moves and hit and run tactics. I really liked the base placement, I think it adds a different element to the level and certainly makes for very unique tactics when playing. The fact that it only takes a couple of seconds to reach both bases, and that both of them can be camped simultaneously through the middle area makes it a pretty important area to control esp. to prevent rush tactics. It also makes the pacing of this level wicked fast, which I found to be a really good thing. The level of detail was also well done and I liked the method you’ve chosen to decorate the eyecandy with esp. with the use of the crystal shards. Music choice also boosted the level’s atmosphere and made it more aesthetically appealing. Overall, a nicely made level with a unique gameplay that’s fun as hell to play in. My first impressions were that it is deserving of an 8 or so, but after properly dueling in it I’m inclined to boost that up to an 8.5-8.7 range because of the playability of the level.
Games: Alive Sky-High
This level is substantially bigger than the former so I ran a 2vs2 in it instead of a duel. First impressions are that this is more of a party-based level than one for serious matches for a number of reasons. Although the level is fairly large, the bases are located a very short distance apart from each other. The powerups, shield and also the full energy on the other hand is located on the outside perimiter of the level, meaning that you are basically helpless to defend the base while you are collecting powerups/health. I’ve seen my team member score 3 flags in a row because all of red team was on the outer rim of the level and couldn’t get back in time :P.
Also, the carrot placement I find kind of strange. The Full NRG is easily campable and is kind of awkwardly placed, imo. I’m assuming its there to counter-balance the seeker powerup but the entire area it is in is just a bit strange. The tileset choice is interesting, and very quirky with some quirky eyecandy and a quirky theme. Can’t say I love/hate it like some of the other reviewers but it’s definitely interesting in the fact that its strange and different. I’m not sure what to rate this level, its not bad in larger servers but I would definitely never play a duel or even a team game in this that would be taken seriously. This would probably score around a 7 if I were to critique it as a serious, balanced map meant for 2vs2s or larger.
Finally, I just wanna say that despite of what my comments may sound like I did have fun playing both of these levels, especially Tyuka’s Realm Forsaken, and would certainly rather see them hosted instead of all the overhosted crap like semi etc. that people just play over and over. I really hope you do decide to make more levels in the future as well, FS.
-Blacky