Tuesday 27 November 2007

Angoville for COD2

A special thank for Tim who send me an email for pointing this one out...don't hesitate to contact me if you found or did some interesting stuff


Level name : Angoville

Author : Soulwax

Date of release : 22 November 2007

Size : 13 349 ko

Number of maps : 1



Website : None

Download link: here 'you may perhaps need to register to download it!

Alternative download:



Other map reviewed from the author :

Hedgerow siege

Story:

No real story it's just a mission close to the end of the war after the D-day. You and your squad will need to take back and hold a little town called Angoville in Normandy

Review:
Like the author tells in the readme (that has been integrated in the .iwd folder) this one is it's third release and in my opinion is a good improvement from what he did before.

Design is ok, it's done in what we can consider as a small village quite spread over a huge farming landfield. the terrain isn' not to flat and all visited houses are well squaled and look quite realistic. the way bushes,wall's and all those stuff make you progress in a linear way was also correctly handled...realism was perhaps the little things that botter me a little: artificial obstacle in the field tractor machine in an open field during bombing doesn't really make sense... the trench was also a little out of context but appart from those minor issues I may say it was correctly builded up in a dark cloudy evening.

Gameplay is intense with lot's of ambushes good enemies respawning . Everything is well balanced using good but short handled objectives, the squadron play mission also add a more intense experience especially regarding the field mission where you need to reach a far away objective under heavy fire...
You progression is mostly straight forward but the team experience make it more realistic. the battles are always well handled and make me compare this to preview really good release as Leningrad, StLamaire and Eastyork.


In conclusion: This third release from soulwax was a quite enjoyable and intense one . Even if the way the general design was made could be improve, the way soulwax manage to script this entire mission was a really good surpise and even if it could suffer from minor design issues, the experience is well worth the download.



Playtime : 40 minutes





Rating : A B C D E (74%)

Monday 5 November 2007

Moabit for cod

Level name : Moabit

Author : Sturmgoat

Date of release : 05 September 2005

Size : 1 287 ko

Number of maps : 1


Website : none

Download link: here

Other map reviewed from the author :
St Eugene

Story: none

Review:

This one is based on the destroyed city of Berlin during the last days of war. It's an intense experience in a highly destroyed city where the only aim is to get to a certain place take a trophy and come back to the start position...

Design even if representing from the first eye looking a well designed destroy city is far away to be realistic at all...Looking to the real city of Berlin even if it was totally destroyed was build arround main road that you cannot see here the organisation of the combat is set as a maze progression is quite flatty (where did all those colapsing walls disapears?) and misses certainly also an approach not only limited to a cave (not really realistic...how did those box arrived there) but more on undistroyed floor.

Gameplay is stray forward in a maze searching with tons of ambushes from a really huge squadron (over 120 german soldiers) respowning from everywhere without any logic...gameplay is quite intense to even frustrating when you get killed from a place you just 'cleaned' 10 seconds before. The only aim is to get a relic 'german gold eagle' and get back to the starting point. Hopefully getting some more powerfull weapon with progression especially fg40 make it in some place a little bit fun...

In conlcusion: On a first eye looking (screen above) this map look quite correctly design and could produce a enjoyable entertainment. thorugh overuse of enemies and the way so seems to be canalized in a unrealistic maze can easaly turn to experience to a huge doses of frustration...If you have playing nothing for age according WWII and if you want really a huge amount of enemies comming from everywhere then this one is for you.


Playtime : 50 min



Rating : A B C D E (58%)




Wednesday 10 October 2007

some new features

Recently there asn't been any new releases so i took the opportunity to do some minor (what you see) major (what i did) changes.
Two new features are no available:

using labels 'libellés' (you can select all associated review according COD, COD UO COD 2) simple look on the bottom of each review and click on the label 'libellés'thingey so you will sort all review according the game associated.

Several author have released different mapq I have add a line 'Other map reviewed from the author' so that you kind direclty see to other related maps from the same author.

Hope this helps a little

I will try to add several oldies that diserved a place here so check the blog soon regulary if you need some more action

Monday 17 September 2007

Argentan for CODUO

Level name : Argentan

Author : Briant 'Gunrock' Robinson

Date of release : 23 June 2005

Size : 5 451 ko

Number of maps : 1



Website : none

Download link: here


Other map reviewed from the author :

Nightfire, SAS Manor, Trench86, Wayward, Toysoldiers, COD_valor, COD Assault, CODUO Missions

Story:

You and whats left of your small platoon. Attempt to take back a village over ran by the germans.


Review:

Last release I played by Gunrock is for me the best one because it, this time, integrate some voice acting. It has also have to be mentioned that every map by Gunrock visit a different theme and alway with the same quality. The objective is to take back a village still held by german except the name everything really makes me think to the battle of the bulge.
Note that it seems to be a lot negative comments on COD file that critics the use of prefabs that doesn't for me runed the gameplay but should have been mentioned in the readme.

Design of this map is one time more well handled, the terrain isn't flat progression is streight forward with sneaking, taking a bunker and after the village. General view architecture and all stuff are perhaps not always build in a perfect realistic way but all locations have at least a good squaled and creativity.

Gameplay is well balance and enhance through you progression with your team by some well design ambushes and the use of enemies respawn add a little bit challenge to this map, in comparaison with previous reviewed releases from Briant. It's an enljoayble experience that integrate everything to make a great map sadly it's still too short in design and gameplay to be a top notch map.

In conlcusion: Last review map from Briant is for me the best one I have no experience in COD mapping and so i don' t consider critisizing the fact to find some IW prefabs. The is a good team speach an enjoyable layout a good gameplay sadly it's way too short but fun for a short time.



Playtime : 15 minutes



Rating : A B C D E (76%)

Friday 14 September 2007

East Yorks 2 COD2

Level name : East Yorkshire Campaign

Author : Steve 'Yorkshire Rifles' Acaster

Date of release : 30 june 2007

Size : 14 210 ko

Number of maps : 1



Website : here

Download link: here

Other map reviewed from the author :

Aachen,Beyond Rostov,East Yorkshire campain


Story:

After D-day and the advance or american and british troops through France, The Major objective was get back village and to trow away german. This time action take place in a small village called Touffreville situated 6 miles away from Caen

Review:
After the release of a lot of major and wonderfull campain for CODUO, Steve said he never will create anything else, so it was an excellent surprise to see a map for COD2 comming out from him. He did this just to learn a little bit more how to handle COD2 tools for it's own and finally decided to complete a short project to give to us.


Design is really great but this isn't a surpise looking to other releases by yorkshire rifle terrain is well generated; placement of traps, houses, roads all interconnected is also quite realistic, this in a distroyed city ambiance with some external elements like plane tanks and other stuffs.
But we could critic the originality, layout is great but doesn't provide anything special, it's quite close to original game features and i would have like to see a river or a train station something simply different.


Gameplay is intense with lot's of ambushes good enemies respawning and lots of suprising experience. Everything is well balance using good handled objectives, thaught combats in a more squadron play mission (without no doubt it would be impossible to finish it without them...)
You progression is oriented as in a maze a make the eye looking always enjoyable. Like previous releases of Steve you have to rush into the battle if you don't want to way for years while enemies are spawning. the save points are well placed and taking back enemies weapons is something needed. Last objective is to take and hold the church, classic but immersive since there is no saving possibility.



In conclusion: I didn't think Steve would ever release something for COD2, hopefully he did.
Even if he didn't put so much energy and history than previous releases, It's a challenging and really enjoyable experience, full of eye candy and trilling suprises, in some word a highly recommanded experience.




Playtime : 1 Hours 10



Rating : A B C D E (90%)




Saturday 8 September 2007

Nightfire for CODUO

Level name : Nighfire

Author : Briant 'Gunrock' Robinson

Date of release : 23 June 2005

Size : 2 934 ko

Number of maps : 1



Website : none

Download link: here

Other map reviewed from the author :

SAS Manor, Trench86, Wayward, Argentan, toysoldiers, cod_valor, CODUO Missions, COD Assault

Story:

our a American airborne soldier who's job is to clear out a little village in Normandy (France).


Review:

One other from Briant, different location, mixed objectives.

In this mission you will need to join the rest of you squad, enter the viaalge and kick out of german from the village. Design is one more time well put together, country yard, a small village, a path that will make you travel from house to house till the last occupied house the whole thing behing put together on an evening full of bomber plane under flag fire.
The whole map with minor ambushes, architecture design and general layout make it quite atmospheric even if it's short.


Gameplay is a little to easy but less that in SAS manor for example, objective are clear and (too) simple, progression is straight forward but arrange in a maze through bushes, walls and houses. When you reach the main road a big ambush awaits you it's the only place of challenge an will bother you for a couple of minutes last objective is to meet you squadron in the outskirt

In conclusion: the map is one more time well balance regardnig size it's a short one but it's well handled , architecture is good like the general experience, even if it's like other briant's mission too short...



P
laytime : 10 minutes



Rating : A B C D E (75%)

Friday 7 September 2007

SAS Manor for CODUO

Level name : SAS Manor

Author : Briant 'Gunrock' Robinson

Date of release : 11 April 2006

Size : 8 825 ko

Number of maps : 2



Website : none

Download link: here

Other map reviewed from the author :

Nightfire,Trench86,Wayward,Argentan,toysoldiers,cod_valor, COD Assault, CODUO Missions

Story:

You and your sas commando team are dropped in behind enemy lines.Raid the axis controlled manor, And kill the nazi major.


Review:

This is another release from Gunrock that seems to be sleeping on his computer for some time and he, hopefully, decide to finally released it. this time there is only one date (also mentioned in the readme) that seems to be the good one.

After playing a russian mission (Trench 86) this time you act in a british scquadron, objective is this time to travel by the country yard, eliminate the resistance arround the manor. Afteryou get into the manor in order to kil the german officer, final objective is simply to escape.

Design is well put together country yard is really realistic, the manor is impressive and the path arround it well connected, the whole outdoor is well put together and really nice looking. Inside part is also well build and use of texture and squale make this manor (lot's of room with high walls, changing layout, good lighting,...) an imteresting place to visit. Use of sound and music is simple but well fitting the release (we just could have hope briant use the original voice acting and add some new himself to make it even better).

Gameplay is a little to easy, objective are clear and (too) simple, progression is straight forward and inside the manor the items placement make a original way to organize your progression. Difficulty, even if enemies are well place, just doesn't be present by the fact that the rest of you squad is pretty efficiant. I really would have got some enemies attack with waves of german, some MG-42 that have been placed in the country yard scripted just after some alarm sound when the german officer was killed...

In conclusion: the map is well balance especially according the slow down (none), architecture is good like the general experience, even if it's a little bit too easy, this is another enjoyable mission that is defenetly too short...



Playtime : 10 minutes




Rating : A B C D E (74%)

Wednesday 5 September 2007

Trench86 for CODUO

Level name : Trench 86

Author : Briant 'Gunrock' Robinson

Date of release : 1 October 2006

Size : 14 280 ko

Number of maps : 1



Website : none

Download link: here

Other map reviewed from the author :

Nightfire, SAS Manor, Wayward, Argentan, toysoldiers, cod_valor, CODUO Missions, COD Assault

Story:

You and your Russian comrades are stuck in Trench 86, and you must repulse all enemy attacks. Along with your comrades must hold it at all cost. After another brief mission awaits you...

Review:

This is another release from Gunrock that seems to be sleeping on his computer for some time and he, hopefully, decide to finally released it. I'm not sure about the date of release (like for all other of his release) the one mentioned here above is associated with the pk3 file but in the readme there is another date mentioned (23/06/05) if we take in account this one, this is the second release of Briant.

In this map you have two main objectives: first is to resist to a german attack second is to joint the rest of you squad to attack the bunker. Design is one more time quite good, but perhaps especially for the first part to close to one of the original game map it's also (for this part) well put together but in a quite simple mayout. In the other hand and in comparison with wayward this time the experience provide a good spawning of enemies with also a well scripted gamelpay. The second part follow in a perfect way the first part and make a enjoy with a massive realistic bunker that you will need to enter and 'clean' it's all well put together in a really enjoyable architecture and terrain modeling

Gameplay is this time well balance with a good mix between objective to be achive, the team experience well enhanced by some custom music provide and an immersing rush and fight experience. It's still a little to easy but make defenetly a step forward in overall experience in comparison with wayward sadly the mission is fastly completed and also like for the first one ended abruptly .

In conclusion: This is a huge step forward from Briant regarding the scripting coding of an enoyable mission featuring a above average layout. use of voice acting and not simply on text message would have also add a more realistic feeling like the addition of some more thaught combats after achiving the last objective intending the player to escape from the fortress. Critisism is always easy to do but this one defenetly is worth the download



Playtime : 15 minutes




Rating : A B C D E (72%)

Monday 3 September 2007

Wayward for CODUO

Level name : Wayward

Author : Briant 'Gunrock' Robinson

Date of release : 1 October 2006

Size : 1 766 ko

Number of maps : 1



Website : none

Download link: here

Other map reviewed from the author :

Nightfire, SAS Manor, Trench86, Argentan, toysoldiers, cod_valor, CODUO Missions, COD Assault

Story:

Your an oss agent who's task is to infiltrate a axis factory and kill a ss doctor before he escapes.

Review:

This is one of the map Gunrock worked a long times ago and decide to finally released it. I'm not sure about the date of release the one mentioned here above is associated with the pk3 file but in the readme there is another date mentioned (23/04/05) if we take in account this one, this is the first release of Briant.

In this map your main objective is to enter a german base to kill an important officer and after to escape. Design is quite good for a first map, it's perhaps a little boxy and static but general architecture and use of environment vehicles is well put together to create a interesting layout, the mix between indoor and outdoor and the use of a tram ride make it even realistic, sadly it misses certainly a good ambiance by not integrating some real action (ambush, conterattack,...) and by using more sounds of a certain german activity in the base. Also several part misses defenetly some attention and especially the sewer part.

Gameplay is stray forward and quite easy with a little bit more than 10 enemies to kill. Objective are too obvious and the lack of enemies make it a easy walk, the fact that enemies are not always well placed also dicrease the fun factor.

In conclusion: This seems to be the first release from Briant, the layout is correct but misses certainly a lot of things to make it more 'WW2' realistic. for the small download and the short 'not frustrating' time of gameplay it's well worth the download




Playtime : 15 minutes




Rating : A B C D E (58%)






Tuesday 24 July 2007

Kektit : Fort Knox for COD

Level name : Kektit : Fort Knox

Author : Kris Howl

Date of release : 14 April 2004

Size : 1 507 ko

Number of maps : 1


Website : here

Download link: here

Alternative download:





Author's note:

A short, single player mission for Call of Duty. This level was built in two weeks in order to add a single player level to my portfolio. I had intended to use a fair bit of scripting, but in the two weeks I allocated to build the level, not a lot of time was available to spend learning what I needed to learn. Regardless, the level still plays well and is quite fun and challenging

Review:

The author is not a newbie in creating maps so you can see from his homepage but this is the first single play level he released. Since he didn't want to put a lot of time into the level it doesn' t really provide scripting.
Design is indoor base so without any wide open area but make something quite atmospheric, the start of the map has certainly a RTCW feeling and will make you travel in an up trend to the main place where all vehicules are stored. Even if place you visit may look sometimes too squary, the variation beween theme visited make you feel to travel through a huge based complex also attention in some place to enjoyable design, even if it's not always realistic make it quite enjoyable to travel through.
Gameplay is well put together, enemy placement is nearly perfect and make the map a good challenge to play through also items are well put all arround. There is no real objective except the one to progress and reach the final fence.

Inconclusion : It's not perfect but provide a good challenge to play through in a correct environment. I would defenetly like to see another sp campain from the author especially if he learn a little of scripting.



Playtime : 15 Minutes



Rating : A B C D E (61%)

Wednesday 27 June 2007

Polygon for COD

Level name : Polygon

Author : Robert Wiaz

Date of release : 24 October 2004

Size : 2 563 ko

Number of maps : 1


Website : here

Download link: here

Alternative download:



Story:

None but it's a kind of german base headquarter that you need to infiltrate in order to kill Officers.

Note: Since this is a Polish release objective will apears in Polish but this won't bother the gameplay since they are quitr obvious and limited to 3 for a small description:

1. find a weapon and enter the complex

2. kill first officer

3. kill second officer

Review:

This release was found sleeping on a polish server (found them also at modsonline) and is average in design and quite challenging one according gameplay the author did also two others releases, a bunker one quite short and poor and a more historical one with some additional text that i will try to review when i can get a Polish to English translation of the explanation sheets and the string file.

The action is put up in a kind of village occupied but a whole german squadron. The objectif are simple progress (in a linear 'maze' way) kill officers and escape by the back of the headquarter building. Design is correct but not more the environement is too blocky (invisable wall) to oriented you path and ldoesn't let the feeling of something original ( it's obvious that it's just a boxy cube with a limited layout in it.
Architecture of building and surrounding elements is also not that bad but make it clear with progression that a lot of copy/paste building was used so that realism decrease with a deja vu progression. It's certainly according the conception average but at least it keep you back on track.
Gameplay is clear since there are only two main objectives and that your way to progress is really canalized by surronding elements (especially invisible walls) but challenging through enemies placement and amount of them will make it, in a lot of spot, a quite challenging experience.

In conclusion : this mas is certainly not a perfect release but through it's challenging gameplay and correct general layout i had fun enough playing it to add this one to the ww2 sp map corner.



Playtime : 30 Minutes




Rating : A B C D E (59%)

Friday 15 June 2007

Operation Market Garden for COD

Name : Operation Market Garden

Author : The Benelux Development Team

Date of release : 25 August 2006

Size : 206 855 ko

Number of maps : 11


Website : here

Download link: here



Story:

This ambitious modification that wanted to recreate the entire operation called Market Garden, took part at the end of World War II involving the hugest amount of paratrooper ever (British and Americain) in order to Catch several Bridge in The Nederlands. This opeartion should provide an easy jump (especially regarding troop sulpies) to get into Germany by the West In order to Destroy all Ruhr Manufactury leading to the surrender of Germany. If you want an interire description I suggest you to visit the wikipedia site Here or to watch (which was my case) the quite good movie called A bridge too far

Review:

Important note: I try to play this release through the recommended way of installation but that directly make the game crash through sound missing. I decided to move the pk3 file directly to COD/main folder and after simply launching the original game it too By default OMG.


I won't start reviewing each map separately and will make a general approach for this quite major release. First of all OMG was quite delayed through conflict into rights according the BD team so that it went out not perfectly beta tested but still fully playable.

The whole pack comes with a lot of movies, document (well done), starting page and even an outro small sequence in 2d like the one available in both original releases. Design and realisation of those small cutscene, documents, voice acting (include text shown) was done in a real professional way.

The succession of maps through the Market Garden campain was organized with respect with the happening of them through the original campain (this may look wierd regarding through the player aspect since you will change from american to english soldier in a sometimes confusing mission, especially though the fact you didn't play as a red beret for the english mission), it would have been perhaps better to split every mission like a succession of british and american campain.

First missions mostly start with a droping or landing cutscene (dam well done) and after directly immerged youself into the battle for all those Dutch bridge. Except some wierd behaviour of skybox (not really damagable) all maps are quite well put together they are not perfect but quite from an above average quality (some mirror aspect stil bother me like the slowly moving plane in Artenstein?, all those bombing experience that doesn't toutch a tree or keeps the building undestroyed, ord those exploding traps that try to make you progress in a certain direction Arnhem map) But most of all and regarding the choice of texture coming from the original game and not always fitting the Dutch 'layout'.
There is a good fluidability and also a good cohesion between maps regarding the fact they were created by different mappers. some Bridge archtiecture are really brilliant even in dark maps. was is also to be noticed is that maps even while using huge open area doesn't have some 'slow' behaviour.

Gameplay is well organized in a real mission team and doesn't look to repetitive (since you switch a lot from britich to american) there is also a driving mission and some other surprise. I whish that there could have been a protecting bridge mission as a snipper or using a Flak to resist a tank assault. Health, ammo and weapon are well spread over the whole release and provide a good challenge especially in Oosterbeek mission. Objective are clear an varied a lot from map to map. to create some sneaking mission or intense battle.



In conclusion: Regarding the amount of peoples that were involved into the team and the final release. I, like a lot of people, may look a little disapointed especailly regarding the beautifull Beyond Rostov that was mostly done by only one person.
There are certainly minor flaws, and the problem inside the team certainly leads to a distructive ambiance, which certainly makes a quite good excuse. Hopefully it came out and retrace a important page of end war history (mostly considered as the last real defeat in the europe WWII campaign) For this we shell really be grantfull to the small part of the team that keep out doing a great job and make us able to play another major and recommanded release.


Playtime : 3 Hours




Rating : A B C D E (93%)






Additional screenshots

















Tuesday 5 June 2007

St Lamaire for COD2

Level name : St Lamaire

Author : Ryan 'Ace008' Krysiak

Date of release : 28 May 2007

Size : 27 684 ko

Number of maps : 1



Website : none

Download link: here

Other map reviewed from the author :

Normandy,Reusville

Story:

none described but it could easily be the simple continuation of the two previous releases from Ryan (Reusville and Normandy ) and so another part of History counter offensive after D-day in a small town near Sainte-Marie Du Mont called Lamaire (I didn't find the place browsing through the internet except a town called St Loup Lamairé which is far away, more than 400 km...)

Review:

In this new mission you and your squad will need to securize a small town on a cloudy rainy afternoon. I will First complain about two minor glitches that really impact (sadly) the start of the game first, the loading screen is nearly unreadable and this is, I think, just due to some image convertion; second the mission start with an on screen message telling you it's 25 00 hours... those things should have been easily avoid by a correct beta-testing!
So here we go in a well entering sequence of progression (planes) through a quite destroyed city leading to the main village. First of all, a brief mission will be tell by your officer using some custom voice acting that is sadly messed (but regarding to times I encounter this through maps and mods it seems not that evident to make something really audible or at least understandable).
The environment is well put together with a really neat terrain creation and houses arround with the mess of destroyed things on the road. My attention was just catched by blue stagnent water close after the start that looked a little out of context (screenshot 1). Progression make you move fast without ambush to the objective update. Design continues to be brilliant and nearly perfect through you progression that is quite unlinear (different path leading you to the main street).
The house you will need to visit though objectives are well put together and always provide variety in their architecture and construction (the church has perhaps a too modern touch?).
The fact that the location look quite dark didn't bother me cause it look logic for me that a house in a town during havy bombing on a dark cloudy afternoon looked this way. In the other hand it's quite unrealistic that bombs are only falling on you main travel path and not on surrounded houses (at least one or two should have been hit or destroyed).
You will also encounter several 'colateral cutscenes' like the tank battle whish was interesting but didn't lead to a continuation (for example it would have look logic that you meet with the tank to continue the path and sudenly it would have been hit by a flak or something that would have been the next objective).
The gameplay is well crafted even if at first it seems to be a simple walk through the city, when you reach the first crossing with objective update the real action will start. Objective are well put together and well balance, the good enemies placement makes it difficult to take cover and really force you to rush into the battle. Afetr 'cleaning' the first area the objective that follow is to destroy the Flak (a little bit strange to walk arround at first without any objective on it and after finishing the mortars objective it become the new one..).
Progression is well slow down by some german reinforcement in a real realistic way (not hords of them as they were falling form the sky) and will lead you to another part of the town where you will need to take back all house and also pick up some document the whole beeing accomplished when you need to meet with your officer and will see to rest of the batallion entering the town.
There could also be a complain about save point integrated that make the gameplay tight in some spot this add certainly in play time but don't forget that when you are seriously hit it's time to take cover.



In conclusion: There is no doubt that Ryan can handle the editor and that his experience from previous releases certainly help him making such a strong map. I really thing that in the future attention to what can be called negligable details (intro screen, voice acting,...) and perhaps to some more historical base experience with a good 'beta testing', could lead easily to some map comparable with IW map quality of original game. Defenetly another recommended release.



Playtime : 40 minutes



Rating : A B C D E (89%)

Monday 4 June 2007

The Spear of Bellerophon for COD

Level name : The Spear of Bellerophon

Author : Adam 'SK Commando' Watts

Date of release : 24 October 2004

Size : 5 022 ko

Number of maps : 1


Website : here

Download link: here



Story:

None this release was developped as a tutorial map from a quite interesting project that never came out, certainly because it was too ambitious


Review:

In this test map you will travel through a kind of complex after you land with your squad, Design is ok but not really above average, the author tells this was mostly published just for scripting and doesn't really shows his mapping quality. All considered it's quite well done and even if it looks a little restricted by walls or mine field it is correctly squaled and well lighted (especially indoor).

Gameplay through scripting is the most interesting part of this release objective are well crafter through your mission and qsquad experience and will through you in some nasty traps and battle (surpise when you put the bomb in the control room or when you need to pass the mine field) battle are well put together to create an enjoyable experience and make it worth to play.


In conclusion: this 'test' release shows really the mapping skill from Adam but sadly since 2004 there is no more news about the mod they were working out trying to retrace the history of English airborne... hope their could be still, on one day, several map released cause i quite be should they are from great quality regarding this small intro we can play


Playtime : 30 Minutes




Rating : A B C D E (73%)

Tuesday 29 May 2007

The French Ardennes for COD

Level name : The French Ardennes


Author : Garry 'VinnieTheG' Mac Donald

Date of release : 9 June 2004

Size : 6 481 ko

Number of maps : 1





Website : here

Download link: here

Alternative download link:


Story:

You en your squad are entering a Village of the French Ardennes close to the Belgium border Even if German are in full retreat, You still may encounter Resistance main objective are secure the village, get back important documents and finally call HQ for reinforcement.




Review:

This one was for me back in 2004 the first correct release that came out for COD. The author succeed in make an entire mission (with well design first 'paper' objective screen) that had everything needed from design to objective and well oirneted gameplay...He worked after for the BDT on one map called Oosterbeek for Operation Market Garden Add-on (for more info check author's website).


Design is well handle in a quite well based village (Garry took reference from picture and photos) the entire architecture is very realistic on a realistic designed terrain, building are well mixed and except perhaps the school that looks too dark (especially regarding the amount of windows) all other house are well crafted and designed.


Gameplay is mostly linear but well agremented by objective to be achive. Some ambush and surpise will certainly catch the attention from the player and even if attacks could have been more difficult it is a well balanced experience.


In conclusion: a real decent release that can easily be considered as a must play experience where everything is nearly perfectly done.
Some more challenge especially regarding the end of the map (for ex enemies reinforecment that need to be stopped from the top of the church with the sniper rifle) could have let an even better memories


Playtime : 30 Minutes




Rating : A B C D E (88%)

Friday 25 May 2007

Oranje for COD

Level name : Oranje

Author : Jman25

Date of release : 24 January 2005
Size : 712 ko

Number of maps : 1

Website : none

Download link: here

Alternative download :



Story:

None.

Review:

There is no storyline for this but through objectives to be complete I could tell you something like this: You have been dropped near a secret V2 launch base where you will need to get rid of all resistance, destoy the V2 stock and finally escape...


Design is basic and quite average, landing zone is quite boxy and surronding environment look not realistic the base is in the middle of nowhere and is just a succession of squared place fill with railway parts, bad lighting and mostly oversize place. The general location misses a good layout and some realism: there is no launch bay, you entire more a kind of goldmine than a secret base that seems through walking quite huge but you end your mission close from where you start like if the huge base was well hidden under a simple building lost somewhere.

Starting idea was quite good but putting it together was a little approximative like if the ambitius project was armed by the mapping skill (not wanting to learn things correctly)

Gameplay is quite easy with no spawn of enemies but just some simple 'static' placement there is not a numerous amount of them so it's more a rush through the map gameplay with simple objectives.



In conlcusion: Even if there is a lot of point to ameriolate in this release it was still fun to play through, so for the time you will spend playing it and no frustration according gameplay, if you have miss this one you may give it a try.


Playtime : 15 Minutes




Rating : A B C D E (54%)

Thursday 24 May 2007

Getaway for COD

Level name : Getaway

Author : Rowan 'Sumaleth' Crawford

Date of release : 30 December 2003

Size : 2 924 ko

Number of maps : 1

Website : here (nothing related to gaming)


here (nothing related to gaming)


Download link: here

Alternative link:



Story:

Getaway is an experimental single-player map for Call Of Duty. It re-scripts the CoD "Dawnville" map as a car-ride challenge, with tanks, bikes, nazis, explosions, and even a little map-extension. Getaway makes heavy use of maps, textures, code, and models from the CoD single player campaign, so credit goes to the IW artists.
The map ends after you "land" back in the field near where you started.

Review:

This is the first map (according date associeted with files) that was created as a SP campaign, I found it browsing on the net for some info associeted with another file and stopped here witch is first a place for Mp release. It's not really a full release like it is described but more a kind of scripting associated with some original creation of Infinite Ward. I will so just focus on gameplay cause most of the mapping part was just shared from the original game.


Gameplay is quite short an intense in one of my favorite map from the original game called Sainte Mère l'Eglise. This time you will need with two team mate to drive a car and try to escape from this german nest... action even if quite short is well handled and full of surprise it's certainly not an easy one to succeed in just one try but it's not a disadventage regarding the shortness of this release. There is not much to say about just try it an enjoy.



In conclusion: i never heard from this one before that i found with two other maps on a german server. It's not a real entire new release but it introduce a good scripted sequence action-packed that's worth the time especially regarding the date it was release.

Note: there is no rating for this map since it was based on original IW release



Playtime : 10 Minutes




Rating : A B C D E (N/A)

Wednesday 23 May 2007

East Yorkshire Campaign for CODUO

Level name : East Yorkshire Campaign

Author : Steve 'Yorkshire Rifles' Acaster

Date of release : 15 November 2005

Size : 13 607 ko

Number of maps : 5



Website : here

Download link: here

Other map reviewed from the author :

Aachen,Beyond Rostov,East York 2

Story:

This epsiode is a historical mission based on the early 1940 campain of 2nd Batallion of East Yorshire that was involve in several operation between North-West of France and Belgium.

Review:
This is a quite neat and nearly perfect transcription of what really happens during 1 month of the 'Blitzkrieg' place visited are Dendermonde, Warcoing, Roubaix, Noordzee, Yser River. All maps are introduced by a screen telling you a brief story like a diary of what happens it's really a great historical work.

Design start slowly with a kind of simple map with good use of scripting but quite average design (When i tried first this episode more than one year ago and didn't know how to have the objective explained on screen -here-, I was blocked on the blowing bridge because I didn't know what to do...and also didn't find the mapping from great quality). Hopefully after the first mission Design is increasing a lot.
Building of areas were well manage and quite realistic in an kind of isolated village typical from the flamish belgium region all other maps after the first one are enjoyable through their playability and travelling. There are several thinks that bother me and especially the roads that look not realistic but in a general approach it's still above average.

Gameplay is well plesant and is mostly a mix of attack, progress, retreat mission that will make you with your squad progress through maps that varied also through their 'time through the day' happenings. Its well scripted all over the entire episode and doesn't provide any impossible spots.

In conclusion: This was the first release by Steve that lurned everything from zero to make this entire episode. He also manage to have a really important historical database to build something coherant and enjoyable through a quite important and perhaps sad part of WWII during the retreat of thousand of English soldiers that where blocked on the sea side attempting to return to England. Another must have campaign but one of the best sp creator of WWII experience.


Playtime : 1 Hours 30






Rating : A B C D E (88%)





Additionnal screenshots








Monday 21 May 2007

The Great escape for COD

Level name : The Great Escape

Author : Dave 'lazygit WaRmongR' Sweeny

Date of release : 14 September 2004

Size : 2 221 ko

Number of maps : 1



Website : here

Download link: here

Story:

None

Review:

The title direct tells you what's the aim of the map, and even it could remember for some you a great movie, it doesn't real have a link with it. So you main objective is to proceed through this 'enemy nest' to find a exit and leave this quite unconfortable place.

Design is interesting and correct to above average but regarding to the amount of level Dave released for Soldier of Fortune I I'm not surprise. the scale is good, the architecture is also well put together with some good balance through the general layout in a non monotonous theme. There are some minor flows in this release like the unrealistic cave through is to low ceiling, the emptyness of the main building where no environment object have been put and the way your progression has been canalized by mines field in the open area.

Gameplay is simple but quite challenging (not taking in account the frustrating escape of the cell). On every corner there is a german soldier waiting for you, open area will also provide some nasty traps done by nazis shooting though broken windows, progression is obvious and agremented by some minor objectives to achive. End of the map isn' t evident to find but sounds logic even if i would have espect something more surpizing.

In conclusion: i really taught after more than 10 attempts trying to escape the cell that i will never finish this one, hopefully i tried another couple of time and finally succeed to go further. I was happy with it and really found the whole release quite realistic and enjoyable even if short and not perfectly put together. Another well worth to play release.


Playtime : 30 Minutes




Rating : A B C D E (71 %)

Wednesday 16 May 2007

Rifle Range for COD



Level name : Rifle Range

Author : Bodger2 & BdBodger

Date of release : 17 April 2005

Size : 1 490 ko

Number of maps : 1



Website : None

Download link: here

Story:

None

Review:

This is a particular unclassified release, there is no fight, no real objective or mission it's simply a practice field where you can choose you weapon and try to hit the targets during a certain time period.
Design is quite well put together it's a tiny map but it's well squaled, the practice field and environment are well created could have perhaps be anhanced by some 40's music .
Gameplay is the interesting part of this release i firstly thaught ' another targeting practice field, i will give it a try but certainly will quit after 10 minutes...'
It wasn't the case since your 'objective' is to have a good balance between shooting (has far as the taget is hit, how more you recieve points) concentrating and hitting the target which doesn't move with the same speed. the pratice takes arround five minutes which seems to be long enough (perhaps even a little too long), after you recieve your score and if you have enough efficiency you will be graded, which also push you to restart or see if you have the same accuracy with another rifle.

In conclusion:A quite surprising release that is certainly a good one to judge you accuracy or skill in shooting targets. It could be also be used on a server to play with you team and test you skill in a multiplay game.


Playtime : not limited



Rating : A B C D E (70%)

Sunday 13 May 2007

Mission Dot doc for COD

Level name : Mission : Dot Doc

Author : Derek L. Manns

Date of release : 13 July 2006

Size : 1 752 ko

Number of maps : 1



Website : here

Download link: here

Story:

You are a WWII special forces soldier sent to retrieve secret documents from a German safe house deep in the Black Forest of Germany.

Review:

This is another individuel project from a student at the SMU Guildhall, that wanted, through this map, learn coding and mapping int COD radiant and to create a small release featuring mission objective in ww2 environment.

Design was a bit disapointing, This map is quite short in term of layout size and feature a not realistic valley place, where a building stay at the back of the valley and doesn't looks like a farm which was entended (no trace of cultivating or cow since the valley is to tiny without no real opening to the rest of the country it's quite unrealistic). Design isn't that bad especially building but lighting is poor (too bright) and the surronding valley is quite to abrupt and look really artificial (like a sort of surrounding wall)... also the surronding barrier seems a little oversize.

Gameplay is simple and not really challenging since there isn't a lot of german present arround the farm. Objective are simple but well put together with an end escape providing a truck with squadron.. after there is a kind of barrier gate that will lead you to a sort of country yard and that's all.

In conclusion: the author is certainly able to handle correctly the editor even if some minor default (lightings) occurs. He certainly could have created something more consequent but it wasn't perhaps the aim. So for a short average experience it isn't that bad.


Playtime : 10 minutes



Rating : A B C D E (57%)

Friday 11 May 2007

Sp Offensive for CODUO

Level name : Sp_offensive

Author : Babycop

Date of release : 23 August 2006

Size : 6 032 ko

Number of maps : 1



Website : here

Download link: here

Other map reviewed from the author :

Stalingrad, Leningrad, Homefront: Cells, Homefront: Downtown


Story:

None

Review:

This map was the first release from Babycop it's a quite short release especially in terms of design (architecture) but quite interesting regarding the well put together scripting.

For their first release Babycop came with a quite simple layout (wood with a road and a hill with country yard full of german equipement). Design is mostly average with just a limited terrain and threes with some military features including two bunkers. It's still neat and correctly squaled but there isn't much more to talk about.


Gameplay is really what it's worth for in a squad mission, on a dark winter evening were alies have decided to make a counter attack. You will succeed all objectives in a rush to the hill mission. It's really intense and doesn't suffer from any slow down in framerate, progression is linear and finished in a flag battle against stukas... and that's it.

In conclusion: This first mission from Babycop suffer certainly from it's design but considering this map as a learning release to handle scripting it was defenetly a short but fun experience.


Playtime : 10 Minutes




Rating : A B C D E (65 %)

Wednesday 9 May 2007

Town2 for CODUO

Level name : Town2

Author : LCpl Sharp

Date of release : 10 October 2005

Size : 2 249 ko

Number of maps : 1


Website : None

Download link: here

Story:

None
Review:

I was really thinking about this one should I review it or not? I finally decided to do because i had a certain enjoyment playing through it even if Design was mostly below average.


There is no objective/mission here it's a simple shoot and go experience. Design and architecture even if it shows in some place some good effort from the creator is mostly disapointing. This is more like a sort of maze experience where you will travel by squared room or hallway sufficiently textured but sometimes to tiny squaled and encounter enemies that are awaiting for you (there is no scipt here it's just a 'cleaning' experience).

It certainly shows through the way you are progressing that the skill of the mapper is increasing with progression but there is still a lot of work left to create a decent release.

Gameplay doesn't provide any puzzle or objective experience, it's just a 'destroyed everything' mission.

In conclusion: There is hope after playing this one that the author can take care of critisism to increase is mapping skill and mostly learn a little more about scripting, because there is defenetly potential regarding the map, that the author succed to create a good WW2 experience.


Playtime : 20 Minutes




Rating : A B C D E (50 %)