On A Dreary Night, made for 2-6 players,
is a fun romp into originality. The author has
literally thrown convention out the window and
went with a very eclectic design, which opts
for super gameplay and neato textures. Sure,
it has its flaws..but you'll forget about them
when you realize how much fun you're having.
At first glance one might think this map is
nothing more than a bunch of brushes thrown
together. Standing on the ground floor looking
up it's just a mottled mess. However, ascend
those various ramps (between getting fragged,
btw) and you'll notice the author's decision
to make this a vertical map was a good one.
The various peep holes and sniper points you
have all throughout this map make for a ton
of no-see frags. Running, grabbing health...BOOM,
you're dead. Grab the railgun, see someone way
up high, get a bead, BOOM...they're dead. It's
great fun. The author has also used some original
textures, so the entire map has a gritty, back-alley
feel. Very little colored lighting is used,
but what is used gives the map an eerie sense.
No, the architecture isn't perfect. There's
a wedge brush used in on place that should have
been a standard ramp, and some textures, such
as the technological ones blended with brick,
don't quite match up. But, once again, it all
takes a back seat to the fun and break-neck
gameplay.
At first, I wasn't too keen on the item placement.
The railgun seemed to be the weapon to throw
the balance off. However, there's more than
one, which helps even the odds. If you happen
to grab one, find a good place and start sniping.
What's that you say? Okay, well, yes, I am condoning
camping. Here's why: you won't live long running
around, and you won't live long camping either.
The first person you pick off from long-distance
with that slug-thrower and you're had. That
shouldn't stop you from finding a good niche
and getting at least one free frag. The shotgun,
Uzi and RL make their appearance. However, with
the vertical nature of the map and openness,
the railgun is the only way to go.
The highest r_speeds I saw here are in the
low 600's. Completely acceptable. Everyone should
have an easy time running this map.
Final Verdict? I give this map a whole-hearted
4. Some texture use and architecture is questionable,
but you'll find that this map has so much gameplay
potential you'll let those errors fall by the
wayside and you'll just have fun. A plyer loadout
of two is seek and destroy. Six makes for gibs,
gibs, and more gibs. Get it. Enjoy it.
