[Kona] no longer makes Quake maps, therefore
it may be safe to say that Carved in Flesh is
quite likely his “magnum opus”.
A three map experience that will challenge and
surprise you, Carved in Flesh is a must download
for any singleplayer fan. Let me explain why.
As with all [Kona] map releases you can expect
solid architecture, close attention to detail,
a cohesive theme, and custom monsters designed
to spice up combat. Carved in flesh delivers
on all counts. The story of the mapset is that
you are earth’s last hope to stop a trans-dimensional
evil being that has repeatedly throughout time
attacked the earth, destroying all civilization.
You must invade the temple stronghold of earths
ancient enemy and end the cycle of destruction.
The first level is a trek through the mountainous
region that conceals the temple to the main
gate, where you must break though the opposition.
The second map begins your search through the
temple, while the third concludes it.
The architecture in this mapset is more epic
than that seen in previous [Kona] efforts. You
won’t see a reliance on his standard structural
motifs. While the rocky terrain of the first
map is pretty standard (you can only make rocks
look so fancy), the temple of map two and three
is a sight to behold. Unlike much of the dreary
texturing in the standard Quake levels, [Kona]’s
temple is bright. The walls are adorned with
what appears to be intricate jade mosaics, and
stained glass. You will want to stop and appreciate
their detail.
The monster selection has been beefed up
significantly. While many standard Quake enemies
will appear, you will also face:
tiny Fiends that attack in packs
huge shielded boss Fiends
floating spectral Wizards that fire Vore-style
homing projectiles
Nehara Barons
Axemen who can teleport and fire lightening
Death Knights with extremely rapid projectiles
a female enemy that appears to be a Quake
1-ized version of the female Strogg from Quake
2
a new type of Shambler that has an attack
quite similar to the Doom II arch-vile
and of course, the big boss you’ve
come to slay.
Surprisingly, all of these custom monsters
work. None of them feel out of place. Several,
however, have poor fashion sense. A few of the
custom enemies are teal or purple colored. While
bright, non-earth tone colors are a nice change
of pace for Quake, it’s hard to take a
teal enemy seriously. The new monsters do increase
the difficulty, but their judicious use and
placement makes normal difficulty taxing, but
doable for the competent Quake player.
There are several large scale conflicts you
will engage in over the course of the maps,
but [Kona] gives you room to circlestrafe effectively,
and that is usually the best course of action.
You will likely die a few times, but that’s
what frequent saving is for. Ammo and health
are tight, but aren’t undersupplied. You
will use nearly all of what you get and will
be nearly ammo-less at several points.
The mapset’s weak point is likely it’s
inclusion of several new weapons that just don’t
cut it when compared to the Quake classics.
Now don’t panic, no regular weapons were
replaced only new were added. The new weapons
are:
The Flame Launcher, a nailgun modified to
shoot fire which can ignite your enemies
The Freeze gun, a perforator modified to
shoot freezing bolts (they don’t kill,
you have to smash your foe with something
else once they freeze)
and a modified version of the grenade launcher
called the Positron beam.
Of the three, only the Positron beam is any
fun. The others are just not worth the effort.
They don’t feel as dependable as the classic
Quake firearms. Luckily, there is enough ammo
for other guns that you will rarely need to
use the new ones.
All in all, Carved in Flesh is an exemplary
singleplayer Quake experience that ranks somewhere
up there with the best maps ever produced. Give
it a play through. You won’t regret it.
