This is a map where you'll
need to brush up on your Axe skills. If you're
easily frustrated or just suck, this is not
the map for you. If, however, you enjoy figuring
out how to get monsters to kill each other and
where to put your last 2 grenades which you
got from Axe-killing an Ogre, read on.
Yes, Stronghold of the Battereds is sparse on
supplies. Is this bad? Yes, and no. But before
we make that judgement let's discuss the rest
of the map.
This map comes from the same
project as the excellent Castle Of The Bad Die
(also in possession of a slightly odd name)
and the well done The Necrohell. It is mostly
comparable to the Necrohell because although
the author is different, the same mix of gameplay
and architecture are found here. Visually, the
map has a very solid feel, and sticks to the
tried and true id Metal/Netherworld theme. There
are a few unique visuals but nothing that stands
out from the style; these might be called little
'personal touches' on a solid Runic theme. The
gameplay as well as the style is similar to
The Necrohell; the baddies are reasonably and
sometimes tactically placed, and there is some
use of ambushes, secret rooms, and teleporting
foes. I found the map to be fair with ammunition
and supplies until near the end, where I began
having trouble. I had to fight a gang of ogres,
a couple pairs of scrags, and some fiends, with
only an axe. Most Quake players would shy away
from such a seemingly unfair encounter, but
not I :)
I zipped in between them, getting
the ogres to fire grenades at myself but also
hitting other enemies. This started infighting.
Once that was done I grabbed what few supplies
(nails, oddly) were there, and ran away. Several
of the foes followed, but at different speeds
I was able to divide and conquer with my Axe.
Finally after killing an Ogre and three scrags
with an Axe, I took out the most dangerous one,
the Fiend, with my two grenades and somehow
killed the other Ogres. I could have just rushed
the exit, but it was much more satisfying seeing
the 60/60 kills displayed after I passed the
map.
The gameplay at the end was
not fair. I liked this map though. I don't think
many maps give the player that sort of challenge!
Review
by Tronyn
Tronyn's Score:
75
A great little level, full
of challenge. Unfortunately, it's the lack of
ammo that makes it tougher. There was one situation
where I was walking down a corridor then suddenly
two Fiends spawned on either end of the corridor.
And another time when four Fiends spawned all
around me as I pushed a button! Great setups
like this really challenge the player, so you'll
have to be right on your edge. It was a small
level, with some great metal support and touches
of lava here and there. Overall great stuff,
and I look forward to the rest of the levels
which Deathmonger is now finishing.
