Posted by Riven on Sat Dec 12th 2009 at 9:40pm
So I had the chance to run around this map the other day, and I thought it was a fun proposition for a map. As an idea, I think it sounds great -on paper. -The adaptation to an actual HL2DM level I'm a bit skeptical. Then when I did see it and play around in it, I noticed it's not such a bad transition.
I think what you did here for the different murder weapons and rooms was nicely pulled off. I like the addition of the secret rooms and access to the roof, but the level does seem like a pretty big box with a house of tight proportions. I noticed and appreciated your attention to scale matching. It seemed as though you made sure your level mansion matched in tiles the same dimensions of the board game image you link in the description. I thought that was a cool idea; in essence people could actually play the board game using this very map -to some degree
. The map has some brush related issues I noticed while moving around. I understand this is one of your first beginning maps, and I think it's good that you decided to post it here. Having said that I came across a few aesthetic issues that didn't sit well with me. The claustrophobia I began to feel as I moved around the halls of this mansion. I understand it's probably the same tile amount, but you probably should increase the actual size of the tile texture by increasing the texture scale itself, this will make for more space between each room.
I highly recommend you read up on Source optimization here. There's a lot to be said about your brush construction, that guide might help. I also understand the trouble you were having with displacements, but I think would be worth it if you looked into it some more. It will make the outside part a bit more believable and fun. I would also think about some kind of structure for the outdoor area to make it more interesting rather than just have empty space around the house with nothing but random physic's props lying around. -Those are just a few thoughts anyway.
Overall, the concept of the map is fun, the layout can be fun, but needs some work on the brushes and optimization, as well as more interest to the outdoor area. Nice work for an early map, I say keep working on it to make it better.

