[map] unearth

This is a a discussion topic for the map "unearth" by unknown which can be found here

Map description:

Map screenshots:

A very good map, totally origional textures and some class sounds as well. Great with bots or if your lucky enough to have a LAN, then all the better. Some items are a bit sparsly placed, but the shear kick ass design of the map means you won't notice

Alien Unearthing is a large map by Bedwetting Type that takes place on an ancient alien ship submerged at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. You won't find much original HL content in the map as it is made up of nearly all custom textures and also includes a custom sky, six custom WAV files, and four new sprites.

In the .txt file, Bedwetting Type says that the map is dark enough that you'll need your flashlight. I never needed it, but if you have darker gamma settings you may need to use the flashlight frequently. I would recommend setting your gamma higher so that you don't have to bother with the flashlight, and so that you can take in some of the great architecture and textures. If you are playing in deathmatch mode, the lack of a flashlight makes things more interesting...

The map is filled with details and has a very alien feel too it. The iris are extremely cool, as are a number of little bits and pieces dotted about. Thankfully, details aren't overdone to the point of causing slowdown. I only found one spot in the map with a wpoly count over 600, so you shouldn't have any problems running it.

The map is laid out fairly well, there's a nice flow to the layout and most rooms have multiple exits. There are a couple of places with completely unnecessary dead-ends though, pulling away from what is otherwise a very well connected level. It's a good thing the map is connected so well, because you'll be running all over the place trying to find the sparsely dispersed weapons.

Overall, this is an above average map that can be lots of fun. The layout and item placement problems prevent it from being an outstanding map, but I still recommend it highly. Bedwetting Type did a great job, especially for his third map.

Verdict

A very atmospheric non-Xen alien spaceship level

Alien Unearthing is a large map by Bedwetting Type that takes place on an ancient alien ship submerged at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. You won't find much original HL content in the map as it is made up of nearly all custom textures and also includes a custom sky, six custom WAV files, and four new sprites.

In the .txt file, Bedwetting Type says that the map is dark enough that you'll need your flashlight. I never needed it, but if you have darker gamma settings you may need to use the flashlight frequently. I would recommend setting your gamma higher so that you don't have to bother with the flashlight, and so that you can take in some of the great architecture and textures. If you are playing in deathmatch mode, the lack of a flashlight makes things more interesting...

The map is filled with details and has a very alien feel too it. The iris are extremely cool, as are a number of little bits and pieces dotted about. Thankfully, details aren't overdone to the point of causing slowdown. I only found one spot in the map with a wpoly count over 600, so you shouldn't have any problems running it.

The map is laid out fairly well, there's a nice flow to the layout and most rooms have multiple exits. There are a couple of places with completely unnecessary dead-ends though, pulling away from what is otherwise a very well connected level. It's a good thing the map is connected so well, because you'll be running all over the place trying to find the sparsely dispersed weapons.

Overall, this is an above average map that can be lots of fun. The layout and item placement problems prevent it from being an outstanding map, but I still recommend it highly. Bedwetting Type did a great job, especially for his third map.

Design
Great custom texture job, and plenty of cool features thrown in.

Gameplay
Funny layout in areas, too dark for some.

Verdict
A very atmospheric non-Xen alien spaceship level

Pros
Architecture & texturing

Design
A few dead ends & sparse item placement

A very good map, totally origional textures and some class sounds as well. Great with bots or if your lucky enough to have a LAN, then all the better. Some items are a bit sparsly placed, but the shear kick ass design of the map means you won't notice

When I played HL1 this was one of my all time favorite maps. Sadly, it vanished with my old hard drive, and the download link here is long dead, but that won't stop me from giving this the rating it deserves. RIP Unearth.