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 %)

Tuesday 8 May 2007

Snow for CODUO

Level name : Snow

Author : Phantomdentist

Date of release : 27 January 2005

Size : 4 629 ko

Number of maps : 1


Website : None

Download link: here

Story:

None
Review:

This map was the second realisation after the great escape,to be release for CODUO and for a 3 week building time (like the author explain in the readme) it's a really well put together map.

Design is average in a not too linear way, creating a well crafted snowy village that has been extremely damage by heavy fights. The terrain isn't flat and buildings are well put together but perhaps look sometimes too repetitive and also their general inside layout looks way too empty.

Gameplay is balance through diverse objectives quite well handled (from sniping to resisting counter attacks passing by an intense street war). Progression is mostly squad based (perhaps a little to oriented) and fearly enjoyable but can be sometimes frustrating through some challenging spot. It could Have certainly add some tank battle or destoying objective but the scripting is ceraintly the biggest part to learn from Call Of Duty and regarding the short time used to create this map I doubt it would have been handle like the author would like.

The ending may look perhaps a little bit disapointing through the fact you join you squad at the place the battle started.

In conclusion: for a 3 weeks work and even if it's perhaps a little to standard, it's a fearly enjoyable experience that add everyting to make a quite enjoyable experience.


Playtime : 30 Minutes




Rating : A B C D E (74 %)

Thursday 3 May 2007

Aachen for CODUO

Level name : Aachen

Author : Steve 'Yorkshire Rifles' Acaster

Date of release : 10 February 2006

Size : 4 100 ko

Number of maps : 1



Website : here

Download link: here

Other map reviewed from the author :

Beyond Rostov,East Yorkshire campain,East York 2

Story:

Aachen is a quite important town situated close to the Dutch and Belgian frontier it was the place during WWII of Havy fight since it was the first important town that was conquer by Allies troops.

Review:

This one is the second attempt from Yorshire Rifles to recreate a important moment from WWII especially since it was the first town in the German part to be conquer.

Design is one more time highly enjoyable especially regarding the diversity you will encounter during you progression, form the outskirt to the center place. There was in my opinion a really good reproduction of Aachen city that just bother me for one thing in the outskirt: the road made of earth and not from a harder material (whish is quite unlogic for me but i could be wrong). For the rest the way to create destroyed house, crates, trenshes was really neat.

Gameplay is the part that i didn't like to much, but Steve warned us in the readme me that the battle of Aachen was a quite intense one, and indeed it is, several spot took me 'age' and tons of reload to pass (especially the bunker in the outskirt and the first entry in Aachen with the tank to destoy), neverteless all items are quite well placed and provides you ammo and health when you really need them. Progression is a good mix beween intense battle and more sneaking area when you can breath for a while. Another good point was the well organized objectives that give always a new one letting you the filling when achiving the last one 'it's finally it's up!' but certainly with a great proud, since it's highly challenging.

In conclusion: Another defenetly must from Yorshire Rifles that retrace another intense moment of WW2. There is mostly only enjoyment in this map with a small touch of frustration that doesn't, hopefully, switch to hate...highly recommanded.


Playtime : 1 Hours 30




Rating : A B C D E (94%)