New SP map by Piterplus EZ (jr) - "A.dream"

[Blue Lightning]

I liked some of Piterplus's other stuff, like Ez1 and Ez3 moonbase maps, so I cant wait to give this a go.

[Blue Lightning]

Review time.

Ok, I played A.dream, and here are my thoughts.

As many of you know, I am an "old skool" player...meaning that I like maps that have an original look and feel to them. This map is very different, and for me, doesnt fit my idea of a Duke 3D adventure. With that said, I still enjoyed the play through, and would recommend it for anyone who likes something very different. I removed the new sound files and just dropped the A.dream file in my folder to keep it as original as I could get it, but even that was only of minimal help, as the level design and story concept takes the map far from anything we would of seen 3D Realms create in 1996. There are a lot of "strange areas" that a player encounters (because of the concept of Duke having a "dream"), and challenging ways to get through them. This is a map that really makes a player think.

The enviroments "change-up" quite often, keeping things interesting. There is a good weapons array availible, and the enemy placement presents a nice challenge, but not too much of a challenge which is good.
The level design here is good and somewhat complex...many areas have more than just one way to get from one point to another. Also, there are many secrets to be had.

I would give the map an A for originality, but will not be keeping it on my hardrive since it is not my cup of tea. However, for someone who likes something "out of the ordinary", this map could be just what they are looking for.

Score N/A
(wouldnt be fair to judge it without bias since I only go for maps with original feel)

A+ for originality and creativity

[Radar1013]

A+ for originality? I thought you said that this map was very different.

Anyway, good review. I geuss

[Blue Lightning]

Well I mean "originalty" in the sense that it is "different" than 3D Realms original formula. Perhaps "creativity" or "uniqueness" would be a better choice of words

[Sang]

Perhaps instead of "an original look" you should say "THE original Duke3D look"

[Blue Lightning]

Yeah, I have trouble phrasing sometimes because I have only known english all of my life.

The bottom line is that it is a good play experience, so players who havent tried A.dream should do so.

[Radar1013]

You should rate the map, even if this map doesn't have an original feel, you should still give it a rating.

[Blue Lightning]

Ok

79/100

But you must take that score with a grain of salt. I am deducting points because of bias, since a map that is so "off the wall" and "crazily themend" is not to my liking. So I disagree with the authors choice of theme, which does not mean it is a bad map. You see?

For example, Im not particularly fond of desert maps although they ARE original 3D Realms mateiral. And it is because they are original material that I can overlook a theme I disagree with like a desert map. But A.dream is not even original 3D Realms material, and that takes me out of the immersion and hurts fun-factor. Therefore I cannot help but show bias...and shall.

[Sang]

Originally Posted by Radar1013

You should rate the map, even if this map doesn't have an original feel, you should still give it a rating.

Why's that?

[Blue Lightning]

I think he respects my numerical scores that many have become accustomed to on these forums. It is strange to see a quick review from me with only an "N/A" at the bottom...

[Radar1013]

Originally Posted by Sang

Why's that?

So you could ask.

On a more serious note, i was just curious of what rating he would give.

[Maruno]

Originally Posted by Blue Lightning

I removed the new sound files and just dropped the A.dream file in my folder to keep it as original as I could get it...

This is where I'm confused. Why exactly are you modifying the author's work to create a different experience and not the one he/she intended? Since it's so different anyway, apparently, some different sounds/music shouldn't make any more of a difference.

Also, perhaps it's because you did this that you think it's not quite as good. If you'd played the proper version, you might have enjoyed it more because it would have fit together better (the level and the sounds/music). Okay, this might only add a couple of your points to the score, but still, how can you say you're properly reviewing the map when hacking away parts of the experience?

I also don't get it. It's like reviewing a game with 200 mods and instead of the doom marine you play with mickey mouse shooting candles.

[Blue Lightning]

Originally Posted by Maruno

This is where I'm confused. Why exactly are you modifying the author's work to create a different experience and not the one he/she intended? Since it's so different anyway, apparently, some different sounds/music shouldn't make any more of a difference.

It makes a big difference. I already know better than to play it with the intended sound files. It's already a "different than original map", with it's theme and level design. Intended sound files can only make it worse...for me anyway.

Okay, this might only add a couple of your points to the score, but still, how can you say you're properly reviewing the map when hacking away parts of the experience?

Let's be fair about this. I shouldnt of rated it in the first place and said so. Part of the reason is indeed because I was "hacking away at the experience", (at least in the sound department). I only agreed to actually give it a score when prodded by Radar1013. If I was asked to rate an HL2 SP mod, but when I played it I found out that I (Gordon Freeman) was walking around on the moon with a crowbar, I wouldnt want to rate that either...it's too far out from original theme.

With that said, I will say that the level design was good until I got to some of the levels "nightmare layout", where it lost the "3D Realms feel". Also there were too many tight areas in there...hallways and little rooms, and those kind of chokepoints can cause me to deduct points too...so all and all a 79 aint bad.

On the other hand, it's nightmarish like theme was something different and as I have said, it might be right up the alley of players looking for a new experience. Anyway, why dont a few of you rate it? What's your take on A.dream?

It's really sad that you can enjoy only a few things in life, I feel pity for you

[d3ad connection]

User maps aren't supposed to have a "3D Realms feel" cause they're not made by 3D Realms. They're made by individuals (or groups) all of which have different styles and techniques, which will obviously lead to a different "feel" of the map(s).

I'll try this map out later on today, it's 5 AM O.o

[Radar1013]

Originally Posted by Maruno

This is where I'm confused. Why exactly are you modifying the author's work to create a different experience and not the one he/she intended? Since it's so different anyway, apparently, some different sounds/music shouldn't make any more of a difference.

Also, perhaps it's because you did this that you think it's not quite as good. If you'd played the proper version, you might have enjoyed it more because it would have fit together better (the level and the sounds/music). Okay, this might only add a couple of your points to the score, but still, how can you say you're properly reviewing the map when hacking away parts of the experience?

I've played them both with and without the extra sound files and they are better without the sound files imo.

Originally Posted by timothy2

I also don't get it. It's like reviewing a game with 200 mods and instead of the doom marine you play with mickey mouse shooting candles.

?

Originally Posted by timothy2

It's really sad that you can enjoy only a few things in life, I feel pity for you

+1

[Sang]

Originally Posted by timothy2

It's really sad that you can enjoy only a few things in life, I feel pity for you

I can't even comprehend why you would even think of saying something like that because some person doesn't like a map. There's more to life than Duke3D maps, you know.

[Radar1013]

Blue Lightning says that he doesn't play any map that doesn't have an Orginal Feel to them. That's a pity. He should just be able to enjoy a map. Expecially since, just as d3ad connection said, any map he plays won't have an Original Feel because they aren't made by 3D R.

[d3ad connection]

Just played through it. It was pretty good, just a few details missing here and there, and the scary part was too short (Yes, it actually scared me!). Most of the dream felt pretty normal too.

I liked finding all the cool stuff added in there. I lmao'd at the computer in the bank

Overall, it's a good, fun map. My rating would be 8/10.

[Blue Lightning]

Originally Posted by d3ad connection

Overall, it's a good, fun map. My rating would be 8/10.

That's mighty close to my 79/100

[supergoofy]

e1l1 bug:
http://rapidshare.com/files/138229324/egam0.sav.html

i fell from the ship and ........ sh1t happens!!!

[XTHX2]

Do you mean the sector bug at the roof? If so, I just jump into the vent