Our favorite anti-hero, living on a planet
called Meeylark, is forced into battle with
those pesky Strogg again. This time Mel has
learnt that they have set up camp on a neighboring
moon and they could be a threat to his way of
life, or something like that.
[Kona]’s Mel Soaring series really don’t
implement the stories into their levels so we
won’t concentrate on it. Instead we’ll
look at these gorgeous maps that give the player
some of the best gameplay Quake2 has to offer.
The action explodes right at the first door.
As you step in you are immediately shot at by
Gunners, Guards, and a Gunner. Thankfully you
get the shotgun right off but it’s definitely
not the room clearer you wished it would be.
This scenario continues for sometime since practically
every room is housing for this line-up.
Almost every Quake2 creature makes an appearance
at some point in the game and every weapon is
given minus the B.F.G. and Chaingun. Item placement
is done well and the monster placement is excellent.
As with most [Kona] maps, the balance usually
leans toward the Strogg because of a serious
lack of health. Keep the save button ready.
The level design of alk06 is set up to be an
ancient castle that the Strogg are temporarily
occupying. Here is where the story works into
the level since the Quake2 baddies don’t
look right in this environment at all. It’s
mostly made up of sandy brick textures and gives
off an atmosphere more associated with Quake,
not Quake2. I could see this being confusing
for someone who hadn’t read the accompaning
story.
Though the level suffers from being slightly
unbalanced and the Strogg characters feel out
of place, Ancient Rigby offers up great gameplay
that you shouldn’t miss. Download away.
