ShroomDuck Inc. Map Pack

Description
Whew. Some of you were probably expecting this WAAAAY earlier than it should have been. Well, the team originally had a plan for tackling this behemoth pack by dividing it up. Unfortunately, that bombed, so Plan B comes to the table: Averus tackles the whole map pack in one sweep!

There are 25 maps in this pack, and thankfully, Shroom's team was gracious enough to help us push the review along with a list of the maps. I'll be relying primarily on the map list, but add in certain commentary such as bugs, notable likes/dislikes, etc in brief snippets.

Maps Include:
[b]- Bespin Ruins-[/b] created by lil binger. This map features the classic MP Bespin totally demolished. All doors lead to areas modeled after the SP bespin missions. This is one huge map!

'Sho 'nuff, the description says a good portion: Bespin has seen better days. Good riddance, that map irritates me even from in JKA. The look of the destruction is brilliant, and the use of the striking meteors only makes it that much more amazing, but it didn't mention that some areas model after more than JUST the bespin SP missions(I saw Yavin and Doomgiver as well.) There were a few missing textures where glass should be, but otherwise, it was pretty awesome.

[b]- Big Cannon-[/b] created by Drahcir with help from lil binger and KaiStagon. Touching the door attached to the nuclear cannon teleports the player inside, where he is then launched up and away at an incredible speed.

Holy crap was this thing FUN =_,@ seriously, the sheer speed that this cannon shoots you out is so fast...well, just be glad that real physics don't apply in this game, because I'd reckon you'd be less than a pile of ash by the time the ride was over. So, as promised, this thing will BLAST you off into space at blinding speeds. At the top of it all is a small laser fielded area, along with another one that can be reached after a long arduous trek of jumping on platforms. All in all, an amazingly fun map. Only bug I noticed was the support beams on the cannon platform had a watery sound when you walked on them. Otherwise, no bugs.

[b]- CTF_Country Roads-[/b] created by ShroomDuck, Kavu, & Drahcir with help from lil binger. Go catch the flag now, y'all, y'hear?

One of Shroomduck's trademark themes, the Country Roads CTF map holds old JK2 map traditions with its barns and "Expressway routes." This time, however, you have quite a number of options to get from red barn to blue barn or vice versa. Alongside each barn is a "sniper silo" with a sea of...beans at the bottom. Overall, I can see this being a brisk and fun CTF map.

[b]- CTF_BOOGNISH MINES-[/b] Concept by KaiStagon & ShroomDuck, created by KaiStagon, Drahcir, & Sirhc with help from rhiom, ook, lil binger, Kavu, and Blue. The immortal Boognish calls upon thee again! Two towers with destructable floors face each other, with flags nestled inside, and a mine shaft at the bottom. The control pannel in the heart of the mine activates the forcefield separating the two towers above ground. This map features a lot of brand new gametype techniques, as well as new mixed music made in the tradition of "ffa_ They Might Be Jedi's" iconic background track.

Ah yes, the Cult of Boognish. A strange craze started by a band known as Ween. I dare not ask why, but merely bow my head and say "Okay." This is another fun CTF map based off the old traditional Boognish maps, using large towers with destructible towers much like in the others. There were no bugs of note.


[b] - Khomm series-[/b] (multiple gametype maps- ctf_khomm, ffa_khomm, khomm_lab, khomm_lavacave, khomm_pit, tffa_khomm) created by lil binger. This series is a variation on a lava-encrusted asteroid, with each map adding to the red-hot atmosphere.

So, the main premises of this series was quite frankly well executed and may I just say I absolutely *ADORE* the skybox =_,= and the meteors dropping from the direction of that blazing hot star was definitely a good addition. The music sort of detracted from the gloomy atmosphere though, which was kind of a weak move, but not enough to detract from the map series entirely. The maps generally share some common traits, texturally, architecturally, and sometimes, "areally" speaking. Case in point, Mustafar can shove the hell over, because Khomm reigns supreme!


[b] - Jedi of the Carribean-[/b] created by ShroomDuck & Kavu with help from lil binger & ook. Yo ho, a Jedi's life for me! Features two fully explorable ships, The Pandy Fackler and The Grobe, as well as a rocky cliff with a lighthouse on top.

This was probably an outdated description, as only one of the boats was explorable, and there was no sign of a lighthouse in this particular map. Regardless, the Pandy Fackler was explorable to the max, with crew quarters, cargo bay, captain quarters, and of course the top deck is yours to behold and enjoy. A fun little map, with no notable bugs. Nicely played with the shark >_>

[b] - FFA_CARIBBEANII-[/b] Created by lil binger. Row boats equipped with deadly umbrellas traverse this water cave for a tight FFA!

I'm guessing he meant "tight" as in cool, versus close-quarters, since this place is huge donut. The map's primary arena of combat is presumably on the various large boats that float through the caverns. A pretty interesting concept. There were no bugs to note.

[b] - Jedi of the Caribbean Duel-[/b] created by ShroomDuck & Kavu with help from lil binger. Yargh, it's dueling time matey!

This map's a bit disappointing, because it has the missing Grobe ship and the lighthouse, but you can't really access the Grobe by normal means O_=! Seriously, you're pretty much restricted in game to the top of the lighthouse tower and the adjacent cliffside. Trying to reach the Grobe will result only in a fall to your death. Devmap duel_Caribbean and noclip around to see the Grobe, or what was started of it. Overall, a good map, but wish it could have been finished.

[b] - Yavin Duel-[/b] created by ShroomDuck. Shroom's variation on the JK2 classic.

A simple duel map with some god awful lighting. This one was attempting to make rays of light shine through the Yavin Temple ceremonial hall, but it just ended up looking like really stripey fog. There's literally just a single E-11 spawn in the map, and then 3 shield boosters. Fix that lighting, and it could have been an impressive map.

[b] - Pinworld Duel-[/b] created by Sirhc. Based on an area from Sirhc's map "Sirhc's Bowling." The dude abides!

A small world with bowling pins as its predominant architecture theme. Only bug here was a missing texture on a pin on the bowling ball platform.

[b] - Mustafar-[/b] created by Blue with help from KaiStagon. Blue's vision of how Mustafar might look after the events of Ep.3.

I found that particular description amusing because it seemed to imply that Mustafar was drastically altered due to Anakin and Obi Wan's reckless battle. Welp, I guess we're both in agreement that they didn't do that much damage. Entering the map, everything looked fine. Sure, there was a few broken pieces of machinery here and there, but otherwise, the place looked undisturbed. A rather decent interpretation of post EpIII Mustafar, overall.


[b] - Shroom's DeathStar v2-[/b] created by ShroomDuck with help from Kavu & KaiStagon. The old classic gets a MAJOR facelift! New textures, completely remodled areas, and brand-spankin' new areas such as the retracting bridge corridor added. I think it's time we witnessed the full power of this battle station...

WOW, that droid would not shut up. So, this classic was actually originally for JKA, I believe, but was brought into JK2 for an overhaul. The description handles the majority of the change, but for the most part, the map retains the majority of its original form, layout-wise. That droid would NOT shut up though. Seriously, in the hangar, there's an R5 that continuously babbles in binary non-stop, and you can't even kill it. Very obnoxious. Other than that, no bugs.

[b] - Ook's Haunt-[/b] created by Ook. BOO! This haunted house has more traps and secrets than you can handle! Try not to get too scared!

During my first run, I noticed that this was the one map that had a little too many bugs for comfort. There were a lot of missing textures in several areas, but for now, a basic run through is just better stated. Essentially, you're looking at a haunted house, It's really the scary sounds and macabre look that hide the actual silly intent of the map. The "big scares" essentially are just...well, they may be slightly creepy at first, but honestly, the map is still just plain old fashioned silly halloween style fun. Nicely done with the "mirror" effect, by the way.

- Super Mario 64- created by KaiStagon. It's-a-me, Mario! This map features Peach's Castle, Bomb-omb battlefield, Cool Cool Mountain, Bowser's Arena, and the Princess's slide all modeled after the N64 game.

Definitely the description says it all. I was never a devoted fan of the Mario series(in fact I have no taste for it, really,) but I can definitely tell this map's intent was just pure screwing around fun. Beware, ye who enter with a serious attitude, as this place may slightly irritate you with its bright colors XD.

[b] - Forest Moon of Endor-[/b] created by ShroomDuck with help from KaiStagon & Ook. Ewoks in the trees! Imperials in the bunker! ATAT & ATST can fire lazers, logs will swing, and springs will throw! Features Shroom's obstacle duel pad!


Just complete and total silliness XD I mean with the goofy toned song, big comically oversized springboards, and extend-o-gloves socking you in the face, you can't help but just enjoy the game for what it is: pure entertainment. While the construction value seems a little low, this is where you just ask "Who cares?" and move on with the fun.

- Rhiom's Retreat- created by rhiom. A beautiful samaurai paradise, complete with traditional architecture and hidden areas.

This is more of a duel-arena heavy map, but there are guns sporadically placed throughout the map. No notable bugs here, an dthe multiple potential duel environments are vast and beautiful.

- spacestation- concept by ShroomDuck, created by rhiom with help from Drahcir & KaiStagon. A large rotating station placed in space, fully explorable inside 'n out! A light beam at the bottom sucks the player in, and the slippery tubes throughout act as a unique mode of transportation.

The description pretty much lends to itself an image of a sort of Unreal tournament style of map, with various bounce pads, and quick modes of transport that take you right to the killin. A nice and simple combat map.

- Puerto De Drahcir- created by Drahcir. A scenic village placed along side a large ship. The picture in the ship's interior teleports the player to the at-sea battle! Two ships face off, fighting with emplaced guns and cannonballs!

Once again, the description doesn't fail itself. There were no bugs of note.

- Transdermal Celebration- created by KaiStagon. The Boognish watches from above... This map features destroyed castles floating high in the earth's atmosphere, and is inspired by the Ween song of the same name.

A floating set of ruins. Granted, they feel a little empty, but the concept still remains awesome.

Man, this review was mostly done for me, and yet it still took over 2 hours to look over all this stuff. Whew...I hope this sees some massive use in the JK2 community. I would definitely think it would be openly welcomed. I'd like to apologize on behalf of the staff for this being so damnably late, but this is definitely one of those "better late than never" files!

Enough of this; BANDWIDTH IMMEDIATELY!


New Textures: Aye
New Music: Aye
Secrets to plunder: Aye
Bot Support: Aye


- Averus Retruthan