Okay here is my short review for each map. First I have to admit, that this is a really great pak, especially under the circumstances of a one-week-contest. I needed more than one week for blocking out the basic layout of my current q3 map. So applause for all of you!
By the way, you really should mention the bsp names in the readme. Had to look them up inside the pk3 and write them down. Was a bit annoying, so maybe next time name them mc-tm01-map1 until -10 or somewhat. Makes it a little easier.
I just ran around every map without any bots. So don't blame me if my first impressions are not that well-founded.
So here we go:
Akuma
Nice looking little DM map. The outside looks stunning, the interior could have had a little more work, but I guess this was just a time issue. The item placement is not balanced enough for a serious tourney I suppose. Flow is good, which makes it easy to navigate around the map. Thumbs up for a small scrimmage with 3-4 players or bots.
Amphetamine
Q2 CTF Action!!11 This reminds me of my good ol' q2 lmctf days. Wish I could turn back time to this glory era of online gaming. Really liked the terrain connecting the bases. This is hot shit. Lighting is very nice, just a tad too dark on my crt. Had to turn up gamma a little. Item placement could be improved, especially by placing some weapons in the middle, while removing some from the base. Seems to be a map for the defenders at the moment. Oh and where is my beloved grapple, it just cries for it
dONKEY
Okay I spawned in the map and just said 'woah'. Visually stunning map, nice work on modelling the terrain and combining with the brushwork. Texturing and lighting is also high-class. Kudos to you!
The look really reminded me of
Petra.
Gaming wise it feels really cramped, but it seems to be intentionally. So I won't blame you for this. Item placement is also a little strange with mega and ra right next to each other. Could be fun while lanning with 2 or 3 friends.
Kaustic
Mid-sized box map without anything special. The top ledge seems to be a little overpowered with rail, the only armor and another strong item (forget what it was, rl?). Also the bottom feels a little empty. Visually really okay. With a better weapon placement it could be fun with some friends thrown in.
Kle
Small, symmetrical map. Reminds me of the standard q3 maps, maybe due to the texturing. Visually and playing wise IMO the weakest map in the pak. But nevertheless solid work, more than ever if you think of the one week limit. And if a map like this is the weakest, it just speaks for the quality delivered with this pak.
Master Jed
Another boxy floater. Got some z-fighting here and there (mainly because of brush overlapping). The lighting seems broken. I only got full bright or darkend walls, nothing between. Judging from the screenshot it is not just me. What a bummer since the texturing is more than solid. I Really liked it. Item placement seems ok, connectivity is good also. The 'pit of death' could be better declared as such. Looks like water if you ask me
Also seems a little too open to include the rail, but q3dm17 also worked with it.
MaTeL1s
Another nice ctf map in the pak. It's small and fast. Promises a shitload of fun when playing it with a few buddies on lan. Item placement seems good overall, the invis pu is kinda odd and unusual but could work here.
Really really liked it, maybe the map offering the best gameplay in the pak. Oh texturing and lighting goes with the rest, just great.
Myth
First thought: Different. Liked the particle effects on the jumppads and especially on the teles. Flow seems pretty good, so is the item placement. Also liked the visuals, focussing on brushwork and not on texturing. Could also be made for a geocomp contest.
Can feature some nice 1on1s, 2on2s and FFAs I suppose.
q3map
Oh jesus
Got a bit sick while playing this little ctf map. This sky just drove me crazy. Also due to the cel-shaded look combined with this skybox, I was not capable in judging distances and fell into the void again and again. But after a while I got used to this strange exterior and layout I started to like it for its own way. Item placement seems solid, the rail is out of place, and all other items were there, where they are supposed to be. Only the flag is placed kinda annoying, if you have to wait for it to come down again.
Finally I have to admit that this map could bring some fun to boring lan sessions, laughing your a** off when others keep jumping in the void. Oh and the starting screen is definitely the best in this pak
StjartMunnen
Hmm rusty, dark and solid. Liked the texturing and especially the lighting. The flow could maybe a little tweaked with inserting a few possibilities to reach the upper floors. Maybe the map with the most amount of work in it, due to its size and detail. Nicely done StjartMunnen. Seems like a very good map for tdm.
StormShadow
Last came this map by storm. First impressions were: what a strange texture set. Don't like the its coloring, but this is personal taste I suppose. But I had really hard times navigating through the map first, because all looked very similar. But I really liked the lighting, nice work here. Item placement seems good also, you notice that Storm already made some successful tourney maps. Gameplay wise it seems more than solid, definitely in the top 3 of the pak. Maybe best for 2on2, could be a too tight for tdm. 1on1 could work also, not sure about this though.
Conclusion:
Never expected that this pak comes along with this amount of quality maps. If I think of what I can do during a week, the results are just outstanding. There wasn't a single disappointment in this contest, okay most maps don't fit for serious play, but I think they were not even supposed to do so.
/me bows
P.S.: Hope you all understood what I tried to say due to my english skills
