Another release from the prolific map maker
Kona, this one is a smallish pack featuring
2 small/medium sized levels [plus a tiny start
map].
gun: Guncotton The map layout here is the *trademarked
and patented* [Kona] two level winding maze/pathway
through various open areas and indoor sections.
Its a relatively small map [43 enemy count]
and shouldn't take too long to find your way
through. The Architecture in terms of both style
and texturing is very good, a fairly unique
look. The textures are particularly original,
a kind of metallic/machine/industrial mix, colored
in muted browns/green/blue. There are some nice
door designs, door textures and detailing on
the walls. The brushes tend to be anything but
rectangular, everything kind of has dents in
it, or consists of pillars and buttresses of
angular design, to give the architecture a consistently
angular, solid and chunky feel and look. Lighting
is decent as well, and there is a greenish custom
skybox. Gameplay is more straightforward, the
enemies consisting almost entirely of custom/modified
grunts and enforcers. The modified enemies have
custom skins (good, they fit in well with the
map) and include red-skinned nail shooting grunts
which can be tricky to deal with. There are
also some grenade grunts as well. These modifications
are good and add some much needed challenge
and variety to the standard base enemy. I still
found the map quite easy to play through on
hard skill, more challenging gameplay might
have helped here, although having said that,
armor/health is quite well-balanced.
gun2: Guncotton A better map than the first,
slightly more ambitious architecture, but more
significantly much better gameplay. Again, the
actual map size is small, here we have 2 or
3 medium sized complex areas, typically consisting
of a low rocky floor, surrounded by the metallic/stone
walkway/path. Lighting is again good and expertly
done, the darkness in certain spots adding to
the atmosphere. The room designs are imaginative
as well. Gameplay is better, because it is harder,
essentially. Enemies often spawn in to surprise
you, and are strategically well placed on the
high pathways to attack you. Wisely no Rocket
launcher is immediately given to the player,
instead you get a Grenade launcher and a super
nail gun. Ammo is well balanced. As the map
progresses you encounter more and more of the
nail shooting grunts, then grenade grunts and
finally rocket shooting grunts, they combine
to form a real challenge in the final area,
which is good fun as a result. Overall this
is a good Pak, deliberately small in scale and
scope, but featuring great custom textures and
imaginative, fairly unique architecture. The
gameplay is also good after a slightly slow
start. In these respects the pack reminded me
*slightly* (although its not as big) of a previous
Kona release, Necrobrood.
