This map was born from a chunk of dm_parasite, which I ripped out and built around. The setting is an industrial structure, on the edge of a swampy region. Hopefully a good time to be found for all - enjoy.
One of several maps I need to finally search for here and rate. Used to play this a lot (in its beta stage - b2 maybe?) and had a look at the final version a couple nights ago. Some nice additions but seems quite the same - which is a good thing indeed.
Very cool, varied gameplay; visually great-looking; high replayability. Great atmosphere.. great all-around. Nicely done!
dm_swamplight is one of - if not the - most popular third-party HL2:DM maps available. I first played it around a year ago, when the server I frequented added it to rotation (as dm_swamplight_b1). I really enjoyed the map for its atmosphere, style and gameplay.
The map takes place in and outside of what I'd interpret to be a semi-industrial facility. The insides are hard to describe and vary a lot, but mostly concrete walls and tile floors. The outside is a swampy setting and flows back and forth with the interior of the facility very well.
The gameplay is excellent. The interior of the facility is remotely like a maze - areas and rooms are well-connected and varied, but there are few wide-open expanses, which makes encounters more surprising and certainly different. On the outside it's rather the opposite. A catwalk across the exterior area connecting both sides of the map provides interesting gameplay and the presence of a rocket launcher is balanced out by its out-in-the-openness. Replayability? Quite high. Given the vast number of memorable rooms and areas, enemy encounters are often interesting and there are several places you can execute some cool sneak-attacks.
Attention to detail is great. Finger proves he's the master of lighting with some very atmospheric and dramatic lighting and shadowing. Harsher-than-usual contrasts between light and dark are great, and lights behind grates and fences and structures provide very cool shadows stretching across the floors and walls. Props are strewn realistically throughout the level, there are some cool design choices like weapons and powerups behind blocked-off areas that must be grabbed with the gravity gun, and all-around the map is pleasing to look at. Performance is great despite attention to detail.
So what isn't to like? There's very little. Actually, there's nothing even mentionworthy.
All in all, dm_swamplight is a very well-designed map that provides for lots of fun and replay value. In addition, it's excellent to look at all-around.
Design
Gameplay
Verdict
Very fun HL2DM map featuring great and original level design, lots of flow and excellent visuals.
Pros
Great gameplay and flow, extremely varied, original, great-looking.
dm_swamplight is one of - if not the - most popular third-party HL2:DM maps available. I first played it around a year ago, when the server I frequented added it to rotation (as dm_swamplight_b1). I really enjoyed the map for its atmosphere, style and gameplay.
The map takes place in and outside of what I'd interpret to be a semi-industrial facility. The insides are hard to describe and vary a lot, but mostly concrete walls and tile floors. The outside is a swampy setting and flows back and forth with the interior of the facility very well.
The gameplay is excellent. The interior of the facility is remotely like a maze - areas and rooms are well-connected and varied, but there are few wide-open expanses, which makes encounters more surprising and certainly different. On the outside it's rather the opposite. A catwalk across the exterior area connecting both sides of the map provides interesting gameplay and the presence of a rocket launcher is balanced out by its out-in-the-openness. Replayability? Quite high. Given the vast number of memorable rooms and areas, enemy encounters are often interesting and there are several places you can execute some cool sneak-attacks.
Attention to detail is great. Finger proves he's the master of lighting with some very atmospheric and dramatic lighting and shadowing. Harsher-than-usual contrasts between light and dark are great, and lights behind grates and fences and structures provide very cool shadows stretching across the floors and walls. Props are strewn realistically throughout the level, there are some cool design choices like weapons and powerups behind blocked-off areas that must be grabbed with the gravity gun, and all-around the map is pleasing to look at. Performance is great despite attention to detail.
So what isn't to like? There's very little. Actually, there's nothing even mentionworthy.
All in all, dm_swamplight is a very well-designed map that provides for lots of fun and replay value. In addition, it's excellent to look at all-around.
Verdict
Very fun HL2DM map featuring great and original level design, lots of flow and excellent visuals.
Yes Mikee, what an ordeal. I've killed all download links for now. Right now, I'm thinking of just releasing as dm_swamplight_final, so that at least it's clear which version is what. Damn Linux.
You may want to alert people here about the new "final" version that works with Linux, and fixes the health charger, and locked door sound, because it is a version conflict with the first release. I had respectfully recommended that Finger release the final final final version as DM_Swamplights (note the "s") to keep players from the version conflict. About 600-800 have already downloaded the wrong version from my 3 servers (because I ran it for extended mapcycle times) is why I mention it.
