I admit that if no one told
me Ambush Keen Pilgrims was a combination of
two previous maps, I wouldn't have known. Firstly
because I hadn't played either of the previous,
and secondly because the map(s?) carry an Atlantean
theme similar to Pingu's last, The Journey Home,
which is quite seamless.
Ambush Keen Pilgrims is in fact made up of two
of Pingu's DM maps: Daydream and Return To Atlantis.
They have been merged by Mike Woodham under
the guidance of none other than Mr. Shambler.
The result? A curvy, and somewhat difficult
SP map. You'll start at the bottom of a spiral
staircase, and upon making your way up you'll
have to start shooting. I found myself continually
being challenged by monsters, ogres mainly,
on a level one up from me. Ambush Keen Pilgrims
is very vertical due to its DM origins, and
those ogres can really take advantage of this
design. The map is very interconnective and
you will often return to areas you've cleared
out, only on ledges or walkways. After a lot
of combat the architecture gets more spectacular
in a semicircular outdoor area, and from there
you progress to the map's conclusion.
The last part of the map is
somewhat confusing and gets a little harder.
Ogres and Hell Knights are now replaced by Vores
and Shamblers, and I found myself in a hit-and-run
situation. Once I managed to strafe around the
corner and fire enough rockets/nails, an exit
portal became accessable and the level drew
to a close.
Ambush Keen Pilgrims is a decent
experience, but I prefer The Journey Home.
Review
by Tronyn
Tronyn's Score:
79
I thought the most impressive
aspect of the level is the way the two levels
have been merged together. There is still really
just one path throughout, but having known the
deathmatch levels already it was interesting
to discover where Mike would make you go to
next. Gameplay was good, but could have been
tougher. Whereas at the end, like Tronyn said,
it just became a bit messy and I didn't even
know what I was supposed to be doing.
