Endor: Midnight Duel (Demo)
The Massassi Temple » Levels/Mods » Jedi Knight Multiplayer Level » Endor: Midnight Duel (Demo)
Description
A demo of the final version that will eventually be a
map pack of Endor based levels. A small Multiplayer Saber Duel level designed
for 2 players. It's a forest clearing on Endor where Luke takes some
of his more promising Pupils for special saber training.
Screenshots
Level Info:
Download:
File Size:
209.6 KiB
Date:
2002-07-06
Author:
Friend14
Downloads:
1434
Ratings:
User Comments:
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3D Preview developed by Stephan Reiter
I just gotta say I loved the screenies in showcase and have been waiting fer this level..
very nice, its a bit small but thats not bad. makes a neat duel level. I think its cool :]
*rubs hands*
AESTHETICS
Architecture:
Friend14 knows a thing or two about landscaping. I felt like the terrain could be a bit more random though -- it was as if he were holding back, with the tiny mounds of earth. Still, the cleaves were most impressive, and very tasteful. I also might note that Friend14 scored a Screen of the Day with one of his (I assume Friend14 is a male) screenshots. His trees were fearfully, wonderfully made -- the most realistic Jedi Knight trees I have ever seen.) The level is enclosed in a cube, although it is most cleverly masked.
Texturing:
Friend14 scores again. The forest was a forest! Maybe this does not sound as impressive as it is, so I will provide an example to illustrate the statement's importance. A time back, Lukasz Matuszek ("Ortheza") released Heart of the Forest for JK, which earned status as Level/Map of the Week. While Heart of the Forest was a very well-made level, there were no real trees to be spoken of. There were only artfully crafted textures to give the illusion of trees. Endor: Midnight Duel (Demo) contains realistic trees, and other such vegetation (credit also goes to MaDa for his texturing ingenuity).
Lighting:
I don't care what anyone says, IT'S DARK AT MIDNIGHT (unless you happen to be in the Arctic/Antarctic circles). Darkness is what makes this level atmospheric. I think it was tastefully used. I also think that no one should complain about it, nor should they count points off their respective ratings for it. Jedi Knight levels have babied players with excessive lighting, when greater depths of gameplay have yet to be explored in darkness. Thus, the lighting...*sigh*...is good.
Dynamics:
There are no real dynamics to be spoken of in this level, which may have been to its detriment. Perhaps with some randomized nighttime sounds (alien owls, etc.), the level could have been made more atmospheric. The level Blue Rain, by Bulworth, utilized a cog which played an eagle screech in the level. Very simple additions such as that can make large bounds, when used properly.
GAMEPLAY
Item Placement:
As it is a sabering level, there are no guns present. There are force powerups, however, and they are placed at reasonable locations. I think that that is all this level requires, in terms of items.
Flow:
Two-player duels do not require much: just an opponent, and a weapon with which to smite them. Given both, this level (with its size greatly considered) is ideal for a quick lightsaber showdown.
Playability:
Perhaps the two greatest issues I can think of with this level are its effect on slower machines (translucent mats, see-behind mats, and intricate 3d objects), and the possibility of getting slowed down when traveling too close to the outside border of the battle area. As players cannot exactly SEE where the boundary is, they are that much more likely to run into it. Players' instict, I think, will lead them to fight in the general center of the level, I think.
OTHER
I may not have made the perpendicular edges of the cube as visible. I know that I would not see them nearly as much, if I were playing, however.
The opening text before the level is loaded appears to be translated or phrased poorly. I would definitely find something more intelligible to say.
My current machine is not up to par to run this level properly. I look forward to running through it again when I get a new one.
Final comments:
Friend14, I hope that many players download your level, and take many lessons from it. Your innovative vision has opened my eyes to hitherto unexplored realms of JK editing. I greatly look forward to the rest of your level pack, and I hope that my criticisms will help you in your next projects.
Your work yet again confirms that the JK editing community is not lost. Thank you.
Friend, you own... I want the whole map pack!
Rating: 9. Have a good day.
Also, you forget to flag the sky as sky, if you shoot at it, it's just a ceiling.
Nice level all in all.
Rating: 6