Posted by
Leperous on
Sat Jan 1st 2000 at 12:00am
(Note: This map originally reviewed on 5/11/00)
This map is the latest version of the popular rats! map series for HL and OP4, which puts you as a tiny 1cm tall being running around in someone's house. Of course, if you've never seen or played any other maps (e.g. big, op4_infested) then you should go out and do so- this author's first rats! map is the father of several spin-offs, most of which are fun to play, as well as to look at. Although they often suffer from bad r_speeds, they make up for it by being just damn good fun to play, although some people complain that the novelty wears off quickly. Like it's predecessor(s), this map is again set within the confines of someone's home- this time it's a kid's bedroom. This means there's a bed, book shelves, and obligatory cupboards and ladder shafts. As can also be expected, there's many objects from real life that have been cunningly transformed into traps or other mechanism.
The main fighting area is obviously going to be the room itself. There's a large bed with a cupboard at the end. You can fully explore this cupboard- inside you won't find clothes, but instead some ramps made of wood, supported by nails, that lead up from a "floor" containing a Walkman. This personal stereo has been turned into a trap, with the prize as the displacer, lying between a pair of headphones. The headphones are blasting out some sort of music (sounds like Korn to me!), which will instantly kill anyone who foolishly steps into the sonic waves without first pausing the tape. Nearby, there's an air vent with a fan that blasts you up several levels (why's this in here?), as well as some very well made cassette holders.
On the opposite side of the level, there's a fairly extensive bookshelf. This offers many a camping spot for you budding snipers (and rocket "launcherers"). Each separate shelf is accessible via some corridors behind- this time they're not just the boring wet wall or dusty textured passages, but they've been spiced up with old Christmas lights or spider cobwebs. The ladder leading to the top of the shelf has a good looking light-streaming-in effect added too. From here, you can either run across the rim of the doorway (and into the cupboard) or drop down onto the desk.
The only items of interest here are the desk lamp and spaceship toy. The space ship fires out a strong green laser across a wide arc, and also allows some protection if you duck down. You can run across to the bed from here by passing underneath the window rim, and along the way getting the RPG. It's a shame you can't go under the beds duvet cover, or that he didn't find a custom texture for it, but never mind. At least it's not just a perfectly flat, well made bed (can't expect that from a child!), although the design of the light overhead the pillow is a bit weak. Under the bed are the usual odd items of non-interest- such as discarded drawing pins (that tend to hurt when you step on them, even at this small size), pencil boxes, and the dirty Xena magazine.
Also lying around on the ground something that acts as a bounce pad, with enough power to launch you onto the bed. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but it does look a bit out of place. Next to the bed there's a mug filled with steaming hot tea/chocolate, which you must enter in order to get the longjump module (and come back out with about 60 health). That's one of the great things about this map, and the ones before it- powerful weapons are often hard to get, or you run the risk of getting severely injured in the process. Although the RPG tends to reign a bit too supreme on this level- but thankfully there's not much ammo lying around except on the vulnerable ledge where it's found. The bookshelf also leads to some enjoyable camping opportunities, although the map is too open for it to be effective.
As for whether this map is better than it's predecessor, rats_op4 (rats2 was never converted), that's really up to you to decide. I personally prefer rats_op4 as it was the original map, and had far more novel ideas in it (such as the poison spray, the masher in the sink, the fridge, etc.) but if you're bored of rats_op4, then this may get you in the spirit again. As a map, discarding every thought of previous maps out of my head, this is an entertaining level to play, and if you can't find a server, at least get some bots working. There's some great architecture and custom textures here, and the only major problem is the r_speeds. But definitely a map to download- it makes a nice change from military installations, crate rooms and more grey industrial textures.
Design
Some nice custom textures, architecture and sound. Good all round.
Gameplay
Nicely balanced weapons, plus you risk your health in trying to reach half of them too.
Verdict
A great map to play and experience- as long as you're not tired of this genre already.
Pros
There's some great architecture and custom textures & Weapon placement
Design
r_speeds
Posted by
Leperous on
Sat Jan 1st 2000 at 12:00am
(Note: This map originally reviewed on 5/11/00)
This map is the latest version of the popular rats! map series for HL and OP4, which puts you as a tiny 1cm tall being running around in someone's house. Of course, if you've never seen or played any other maps (e.g. big, op4_infested) then you should go out and do so- this author's first rats! map is the father of several spin-offs, most of which are fun to play, as well as to look at. Although they often suffer from bad r_speeds, they make up for it by being just damn good fun to play, although some people complain that the novelty wears off quickly. Like it's predecessor(s), this map is again set within the confines of someone's home- this time it's a kid's bedroom. This means there's a bed, book shelves, and obligatory cupboards and ladder shafts. As can also be expected, there's many objects from real life that have been cunningly transformed into traps or other mechanism.
The main fighting area is obviously going to be the room itself. There's a large bed with a cupboard at the end. You can fully explore this cupboard- inside you won't find clothes, but instead some ramps made of wood, supported by nails, that lead up from a "floor" containing a Walkman. This personal stereo has been turned into a trap, with the prize as the displacer, lying between a pair of headphones. The headphones are blasting out some sort of music (sounds like Korn to me!), which will instantly kill anyone who foolishly steps into the sonic waves without first pausing the tape. Nearby, there's an air vent with a fan that blasts you up several levels (why's this in here?), as well as some very well made cassette holders.
On the opposite side of the level, there's a fairly extensive bookshelf. This offers many a camping spot for you budding snipers (and rocket "launcherers"). Each separate shelf is accessible via some corridors behind- this time they're not just the boring wet wall or dusty textured passages, but they've been spiced up with old Christmas lights or spider cobwebs. The ladder leading to the top of the shelf has a good looking light-streaming-in effect added too. From here, you can either run across the rim of the doorway (and into the cupboard) or drop down onto the desk.
The only items of interest here are the desk lamp and spaceship toy. The space ship fires out a strong green laser across a wide arc, and also allows some protection if you duck down. You can run across to the bed from here by passing underneath the window rim, and along the way getting the RPG. It's a shame you can't go under the beds duvet cover, or that he didn't find a custom texture for it, but never mind. At least it's not just a perfectly flat, well made bed (can't expect that from a child!), although the design of the light overhead the pillow is a bit weak. Under the bed are the usual odd items of non-interest- such as discarded drawing pins (that tend to hurt when you step on them, even at this small size), pencil boxes, and the dirty Xena magazine.
Also lying around on the ground something that acts as a bounce pad, with enough power to launch you onto the bed. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but it does look a bit out of place. Next to the bed there's a mug filled with steaming hot tea/chocolate, which you must enter in order to get the longjump module (and come back out with about 60 health). That's one of the great things about this map, and the ones before it- powerful weapons are often hard to get, or you run the risk of getting severely injured in the process. Although the RPG tends to reign a bit too supreme on this level- but thankfully there's not much ammo lying around except on the vulnerable ledge where it's found. The bookshelf also leads to some enjoyable camping opportunities, although the map is too open for it to be effective.
As for whether this map is better than it's predecessor, rats_op4 (rats2 was never converted), that's really up to you to decide. I personally prefer rats_op4 as it was the original map, and had far more novel ideas in it (such as the poison spray, the masher in the sink, the fridge, etc.) but if you're bored of rats_op4, then this may get you in the spirit again. As a map, discarding every thought of previous maps out of my head, this is an entertaining level to play, and if you can't find a server, at least get some bots working. There's some great architecture and custom textures here, and the only major problem is the r_speeds. But definitely a map to download- it makes a nice change from military installations, crate rooms and more grey industrial textures.
Verdict
A great map to play and experience- as long as you're not tired of this genre already.
