Homefront: Downtown for COD4

Level name : Homefront : Downtown

Author : Babycop

Date of release : 7 November 2008

Size : 76 119 ko

Number of maps : 1


Website : here

Download link: here

Other map reviewed from the author :


SP Offensive,Leningrad,Stalingrad,Homefront: Cells


Story and Mission (take from the readme file):

The world we know is changing. The western world dives into a new era.
Boundaries are broken. New frontiers are reached.
The war on terror, chaos, and tyranny has set foot onto new grounds.
The fight is carried to our doorstep.
This is the Homefront.

Recent terror threats have pressed American authorities to increase the securitywarning to high alert. In the heart of downtown, Marines are called upon tosafeguard the citizens. Summer festivities and business conventions are underwayand some streets have been closed off for the activities.
On this hot summer evening, an innumerable group of terrorists, assembled from allaround the continent, have put to execution a never before seen large scale attack. Taken by surprise, your mission is to eliminate all terrorists and rescue pinned down colleagues and civilians throughout the downtown streets.

Review:

After several preview releases for CODUO and COD2 (Leningrad and Stalingrad) the 'brothers team' started to build some mission for COD4. The first one (Homefront: Cells) could be considered as a learning experience and despites it's relative limited developement and gameplay, it was an honest enjoyable experience. I was so waiting for it's sequel that came out already 5 months ago but for which i didn't take the time till yesterday to play. I really didn't regret to play this one yesterday

Design and architecture may look a little repetitive according to the collection of skyscrapper and the quite linear avenue you will travel too, but this is the real approach necessary for a lot of big city arround the world. The design looks quite realistic and while you progress will add some additional route to 'alternative environment. the short indoor experience was perhaps the weekest part of this release...not enough detailed, too 'mazy' progression and the elevator that is more looking as a service lift...
There isn't a lot of thing to tell about design...it's sure repetitive and not that much detailed in general but this is what lots of city town looks like.

Gameplay is one more time the highlight of this pack by mixing in a quite professional way, short cutsceenes, voice acting and triggered events. Babycop pushed this COD4 experience to a level not enough reached before. The scripting approach as a kind of dancing lesson were the teacher lurn you to move with a certain rythm so that you totally manage to enjoy the experience that you just learn. Babycop's experience alternates heavy challenging fights, enjoyable cutscenes, and even some sniping precision objective. It's put together as a road movies and immerse you into the mission as the leading actor...you don't really pay attention to design and detail you simple rush for a tremendus experience with you squad.

In conclusion: After a first opus in the homefront serie that disapoints me a little, Babycop took the necessary time to shine with a release that cetainly gonna sound in the future as a MUST PLAY experience... Irak war is certainly not far way from this experience, hopefully it's just a game for us.

Playtime : 30 minutes



Rating : A B C D E (91%)

COD Assault for CODUO

Level name : Call of Duty Assault

Author : Briant 'Gunrock' Robinson

Date of release : 16 March 2009

Size : 224 286 ko

Number of maps : 12



Website : here

Download link: here

Other map reviewed from the author :

Nightfire, SAS Manor, Trench86, Wayward, Argentan, CODUO Missions, COD Valor, Toy Soldier


Author's Note:

12 single player maps. Your a American 3rd Infantry Division Soldier fighting the war in africa, italy and france normandy.

Review:

Not so far after an already big release called :COD Valor Briant is back with a even huge addon containing 3 campains (Afrika, Italy and France) from 4 maps each. It has special content with new squad and envrinonment texturing a brand new weapon and new music. For this episode there is no custom voice acting only on text message.

I won't make a as much detailed review as for COD Valor and will only focus on a general approach to focus on things I really liked and the little downwards.

Design is from the same bottle as previous releases from Gunrock, he has reach for me a above average level but except some more complicated architecture I didn't see a huge change between previous release and this one it's certainly not perfrect but really not far away from (what I would like to build things like this...) All theme, according campain, are well implemented and also give some varaition from airfield to town passing by a boat experience even evening or morning missions; Briant really make a huge effort to his pack to make it as much varied as possible. The only minor point to take in account is the fact that Briant does'nt bother about detail and taking time to build them especially regarding indoor parts of town houses where some rooms ave simply fill with armo box or simply...empty.

Gameplay is perfectly balance and really highlight this pack. the way Briant handle you progression and objective to achieve is nearly perfect and really immerse you with your team squad through the 12 maps for each you will play for arround 20min except the two last one that are a lot more challenging (perhaps a too challenging especially the last one). even some of the mission objective where you need to destoy objectives in trench maze or forest may look repetitive but it's a so enjoyable experience that I really don't care from travelling though those maze. In addition to those classic mission Briant added some more original objective with the highlight of the ship escape a la COD4 that was, perhaps short but really briliant and one of my prefered custom mission ever! finally Briant pushes the content like for COD valor to it's end with another enjoyable last sidescrolling cinematic to reward all the people who give him some custom content.

Afrika campain













Italy campain















France campain












In conclusion: Briant is certainly one of the most prolific mapper/designer 'man who can do everything' from this decade, and this always with an above average skill. I really hope he continues in the way of creating single player experience for all of us...This one was a great and memorable experience i will certainly play againin the future and really recommand you to directly, even if the download is huge, download this one that is till now, part of my Hall of fame custom collection.

Highly Recommanded

Playtime : 5 Hours

Rating : A B C D E (92%)