RUSS Map Pack

Description
Well, we don't get too many map packs these days, but here's one for the enjoyment of the masses.

First map I tried out, SkyStadium, available in BR, CTF and VCTF gametypes. Couldn't help but be a little reminded of a soccer pitch but then that's an obvious one. The map's design is rather simple, using mostly basic shapes in it's construction. Not that it's a bad thing entirely because you'll likely be too busy keeping your eyes on the field of play to notice. Some touches that were missing which I personally feel would've livened the map up a little include maybe using the 'sky screens' to show either camerashots of play, or scores in a similar manner to the Morpheus map. I didn't think much of SkyStadium as a VCTF map but as a BR map it makes for a very nice brawl when all you've got on your side is your ability to make it past the enemy team.

DM-UNDERGROUND is also a wide, open brawler map. Plenty of health around the central walls, plenty of ammo on the outskirts, and a double damage powerup in the center which is essentially a terminator powerup, depending on your choice of gun. There's a bit of stealthy assassination involved in this map, however, as anyone who escapes the main melee is teleported to the shadowed upper edges, where they can snipe away unseen. I felt the lighting around ground level was a bit strong, and the map itself is rather empty, but then again that's what makes it so dangerous.

DM-Survey. I guess the best way to sum this one up is "five towers, five thousand headshots". Each tower has several floors, which can be used for close combat, or passing through to reach the sniper nests at the top. These nests have only one entrance and are easily defendable, so without at least a bit of teamwork a skilled sniper could pick off the entire map's populace with ease. The map claims it is tailored towards 50 players, which shows in it's scale and emptiness.

DM-OverTheEdge. This one's quirky. The game area consists of several raised pedestal platforms, with varous powerups dotted around on said pedestals. Arguably the safest place to be is the highest ground, as there's only two lines of attack to defend - however, the lowest pedestal being one of them isn't as easily defendable since it has a jump pad and the double damage. It's a basic map but very fun to play. Very different.

The final three maps all fall into the VCTF category, the first being Face4. This map suggests a 32 player max population and it's pretty believable. Military CTF is probably a better term. RUSS carries on the tradition of simple construction here too, with the layout being a simplified version of Facing Worlds for use with vehicles. Players are much more susceptible to sniper fire in this interpretation though, as there's very little cover. The ion plasma tanks are fun for a dogfight, even if they are somewhat tricky to work with.

VCTF-RUSSFaceFE is essentially a tweaked version of the former map. Night-time skybox, the flying infoscreens from SkyStadium forming a new midfield platform to snipe from, and Goliaths and Paladins replacing the ion plasma tanks.

VCTF-SandyWay shows an evolution in RUSS' mapping style, using more complex terrain and prefab configurations. Desert, temples for bases, lot of dunes, you get the idea. With the size and open feel of this map, if you've got a big game going down, lots of players, this is a very good map for it. The limited visibility and lack of cover makes it hard to get the drop on an enemy, with both attack and defense becoming harder. As far as criticisms go I'd point out that the sand texture could do with being more defined, from medium to long distances it just appears as a flat color, but that's minor.

Overall a solid collection of maps. They're not flashy but they sure do get the job done, you'll have fun playing some of them if not all of them. This pack also gives quite a bit of insight into RUSS' development as a modder, with the detail levels of these maps ranging from beginner to intermediate and showing a good degree of consistency along the way.

~Mikouen