Calcs Desert City

Description
Form. Function. Simplicity. Master these things a Jedi you too will become.

A while back, a level was released for Jedi Knight called 'Purgatory'. It had decent level geometry for its time, but most importantly it made great usage of the game scripts.

This map brought me right back. There is a beauty in simplicity found here that you don't see very often. Not the most complex or in-depth architecture, but a solid design all-around, and great usage of scripting and placement.

Lets get one thing strait, this is a big map. Surprisingly so considering a mere 23 meg pk3. I shed a tear when I finally gave up and used noclip to get around the map faster. Don't do what I did kids. Stay in school. Take the time to explore this map fully and you'll grow a fond appreciation with it the longer you look around. Almost like being re-introduced to an old friend.

The basic story (as seen in the readme) is this: Years ago CalcProgrammer1 started making this map, starting with the 'PC Land' area. He bought a Wii and over time, lost interest in mapping, and subsequently lost all of his source files. Now he's approaching it all with a fresh mindset and decided to hammer this out for us.

I'm not going to give you a full description of each and every area (this map really is worth the time it takes to explore), but I will cover some of the highlights that stood out to me.

Form: Small town, lots of empty buildings. Lots of freedom to make it 'your way' using Lugor or another mod. The detail in simple, little things stands out and adds depth to different parts of the map (the rafters in the gym for example).

The detail in 'PC Land' is painfully beautiful, from the fans to the GPU to the CPU, heat sink, hard drive, memory, ribbon cables...everything. It gives you the feeling that we are all playing around in CalcProgrammer1's digital world inside his computer (ReBoot anyone?).

There is always some little bit you haven't seen yet. Just when you've seen 'it all', you find another door or another room or hallway or building or something.

Function: Scripts are your friends. They really are. Doors function (mostly) reasonably, and elevators don't crush you when you screw up. There are even vector thrusts used in the swimming pool (the diving board and ladder) as appropriate (because we all know how annoying it can be to jump out of water).

Simplicity: This is not a fancy map. What this IS, is pre-meditated design that accomplishes what it sets out to become. It is fun. Plain and simple. With roomy spaces being roomy and cramped spaces being cramped.


Since I still have to criticize it, I'll leave it for here:

No custom music. Sure, its un-needed for this sort of map, but I think just a touch of ambiance couldn't have hurt, particularly if it was set by area.

Blocky geometry is easily overcome by incredible lighting and well-shaped items, but in one or two places it sticks out. Not a major concern.

Humor. The TI-86 OF DOOM. There is some great little funnies spread around, and it could have used a little more without going over the top. Again, not a major concern.

Skybox. There is one room (great for duels) that features a sort of starry motif around the walls. I think that one or two portions could have been replaced by a night sky skybox with railing without taking away too much.

While the lighting in-doors is spectacular (and colorful!), the whole 'topside' is really dark. Honestly my biggest complaint is that I couldn't find the hidden 'daytime' switch to switch the map. If you find it, let me know!



Again, I can't say this enough: resist using noclip for as long as you can. Explore this map with your friends and I promise you will have a good time.


-Sared

P.S.

I will not use /blowup on doors, func_rotates, or players. I will only use it on NPC's.
I will not use /blowup on doors, func_rotates, or players. I will only use it on NPC's.
I will not use /blowup on doors, func_rotates, or players. I will only use it on NPC's.
I will not use /blowup on doors, func_rotates, or players. I will only use it on NPC's.
I will not use /blowup on doors, func_rotates, or players. I will only use it on NPC's.
.........

Bot Support: No
New Textures: Yes
New Sounds: No
New Music: No
Game Types: FFA

Overall rating: nine out of ten sour patch kids, and a cold can of Dr. Pepper to wash it down.