Jakar Umbra
Militaires-Sans-Frontieres
310
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Posted - 2013.10.23 04:10:00 -
[1] - Quote
1. The Research Facility is complex in a way installations should be complex. Defined pathways, multi-layered combat, a decent combination of close quarters and medium range combat. It's lack of room for vehicles is a plus in such a way that the facility itself is not designed around it. As a research facility there is not much in the way of roadways outside of a few where deliveries of some form would be expected, hence the loading dock in the D4 grid area. In such a way it clearly places an emphasis on infantry combat, which is not necessarily a minus.
2. The supporting smaller sockets are appropriate; neither too complex nor too simple. They make for a decent mixture of combat according to the socket itself.
3. Border Gulch has quickly become one of my favourite maps to play on. As a person who runs support logisitics as well as dropship troop transport it's long ranges makes my ability to fly invaluable and makes escape from AV possible while still difficult. Combat around the B, A and D objectives require a varied approaches as their locations are different with B being both difficult to assault and defend. It is a far more open map with not much complexity in the structures themselves but the terrain itself makes engagements satisfying and rewarding.
4. Fracture Road has also quickly become a favourite map of mine. Once again it's extended engagement ranges between objectives and structures make assaults varied, while the close quarters feel of the structures themselves lends to a very appropriate combination of both vehicular and infantry warfare. The socket on the H3 square, where objective C is, is, to me, brilliant and makes for some very intense firefights. Objective B's socket, the landing pad, is great as firefights erupt between the two interior buildings as well as from the upper walkways and the landing pads themselves.
5. In short I am in love with Impact Ridge. I've used my Dropship to decent effect here, dropping squadmates both inside the facility and out. The outside objectives are good for vehicular warfare while the inside is fought for by infantry. Outside the facility the ranges are good and the structure placement is close enough to allow for quick movement without being too overwhelming. I've had some interesting chases when I've chased enemy LAVs through the craters with both Dropships and other LAVs. Solid map with clearly defined parameters which can occasionally be bent or broken.
6. In the game's current state of 16 vs 16 I think the ranges and distances put in place on these newer maps are just on the edge of what we need before an expansion into larger player counts in matches as occasionally even on these maps, players can easily get spread out. The sizes of the map make it somewhat difficult to be redlined, though not necessarily impossible as I've seen it happen, though less times on these maps than I've seen on the older ones. Names for areas in the maps add to immersion to give the structures a more human feel to them.
All in all, solid maps. Good work to the design teams. |