ERMAHGURD! It's out!
First off, I'd better say that on my PC, it works 100% fine on Tres CE without a single crash, though I did notice a pretty nasty FPS drop when looking around in the WTP area itself down to 5-6 frames at times, but generally stays between 25-50 FPS. I think Draco is right - there are just too many objects, which likely stems from the amount of "building blocks" used to construct the WTP and the areas around it...I had the same problem with my Visitor Center on the old RTJP. All I can suggest for anyone still crashing is to use Tres CE and keep all graphics settings to a minimum and lower CullMaxDistance a bit.
Now, a full-out review because that's what I feel obligated to do for some reason! Text wall below:
- Spoiler: show
- I actually downloaded this a couple weeks ago and never got around to playing it, so I went in fresh when I started a few hours ago. Anyway! The level starts off nicely where the previous level left off, in the NedryTunnel that has been flooded. As soon as I walked outside, I was blown away by the awesome atmosphere and design of the initial area...might have to steal a visual or two myself. I'll say here that throughout the level, the use of "building blocks" (other objects put together to make something) is constantly amazing and very well done, though it does hurt the FPS a lot in places.
Trekking through the initial jungle was nice enough, though the detail is sliiiiightly lacking, which is fair though as it saves FPS, so no points deducted. I understand that the level is unfinished, so I can't complain either about lack of voiceovers or general triggers either. I have to applaud your use of linked power lines as always - that's a pain to do. Anyway, further down the road I came to anther excellent looking area, the ruined bridges. Everything about this location was cool, especially the side bridge which I believe is a new model. Crossing the little rift was easy enough, though I think it should be widened so that players cannot simply walk around it (though I doubt many players would be THAT scared of a couple little jumps!)
At the end of this road comes the real "meat" of the level, the Water Treatment Plant. The entrance is great looking, and the InGen sign really completes it all. With the gate being smashed in, I decided it was time to go off-roading, turning right. I did, unfortunately, miss the camp and sunken ship off to the left of the road while playing through, which is unfortunate because it sort of sets off the W-Y plot that the level centers around (which I found quite amusing, though I was sort of hoping to see an Alien somewhere). My in-game trek took me around the perimeter of the WTP and to another gate, open this time, and a road that went off into the jungle. I decided to follow the road first, so I headed off away from the WTP. After a short stroll down the jungle road, I came to another very interesting and well-done scene, a blue BioSyn jeep at the base of a slope, clearly having gone through the fence. Climbing down, I quickly snatched up the dead driver's empty weapons to use as clubs as a pair of dilophosaurus attacked from the bushes. The battle I had here was quite epic, with me climbing into the wrecked jeep and swinging my guns vainly at the dinosaurs - eventually, I just had to run. Unfortunately, I couldn't quite find a way out of this little ditch, so I had to fly. Maybe a way to get out once you have gone in would be useful here? Back on the high ground, I followed the road further and to another great looking gate, which I couldn't enter, and to a collapsed ditch road that also looked excellent and was guarded by a classic Warpath cryolophosaurus. I was sort of disappointed to find that I couldn't proceed past this point, having traveled all this way, though I assume there was to be something beyond the metal gate atop the blank hill that is behind it.
I admittedly flew back to the entrance to the WTP and walked inside. This entire area is just fantastic. The big building I initially found my way into had some well-detailed loading bays on the outside, and a spectacular array of catwalks and pipes inside. I'm no Water Treatment expert, but this looked pretty cool to me. I was somehow compelled to climb to the top of this building, which was a fun experience - maybe a reward for reaching the top is in order? I did, however, get stuck on the parking lot area just outside of this structure, though...building blocks have never worked too well for floors, unfortunately. hppav's World Trade Center level has some really good concrete and painted line textures that would work well here.
Heading up the steps toward the Operations Center building, I quickly diverted myself to the left and headed toward another set of buildings. I found myself running around, looking at the buildings on the beach from every angle because I was so impressed by them, and I especially liked the new water tower model at the end of the area. Again, perfect job using limited resources to build something new! As I staggered around in awe, I came across some sort of bridge linking to a sort of building-thing in the ocean - I had to investigate. Noticing the hole in the primary entrance, I instead walked across the connecting pipes to reach the building, though ultimately had to fly back onto the main bridge as I couldn't jump from the pipe onto the actual ground. The inside of this building was something I've never seen before - a deep pit with a window that led to a very cool underwater view. I absolutely loved the originality here...everything about this area was perfect, though again I felt that some reward or puzzle MacGuffin was in order.
I made my way back to the Operations Center and ascended the steps - this is the area where my FPS is the worst, just to note. I entered the building and was again enthralled by the added detail, and was immediately intrigued to see a magazine that mentioned Alan Grant and...WEYLAND YUTANI?! Immediately interested further, I explored and came across a tunnel leading down some steps around the back area, and followed it further into a lab-like area that I eventually realized was a well-utilized TC Level research facility. Reports of a spreading DX Disease enthralled me, keeping the excitement at about 11. Eventually, I stepped out the doors and into yet another cool little scene, and began following a faint trail further into the jungle once more. Following a perilous leap across another gorge, I began heading toward a distant valley when I ran head on into a pack of Chaos Effect velociraptors! I love these guys so much, yet I had to dodge around them in panic as I was still without a weapon of any sort aside from my G3 club.
Then I walked around a corner and gasped.
Ahead was the sight of the huge canyon facility, Weyland-Utani logo emblazoned above a huge door into whatever that structure held. I couldn't find a way to ride the elevator down for the life of me, so I quickly flew down to the canyon floor to investigate. It was around this point that I heard something stomping around inside the building, though I was completely unprepared for the epicness that awaited me. This entire area was the great, so much originality combined with some of the coolest visuals to I've ever seen. I was unable to get into the huge structure, but thanks to the power of cheating, I went through the door just to investigate...and my balls were immediately blown off (sorry about that one ). A giant dinosaur, which I later learned was a Godzilla-sized giganotosaurus from Dino Crisis 2, was stomping around and trying to devour me, despite being 50ft too tall to pull it off. In absolute awe, I dodged my way around the gargantuan beast and stepped into a short corridor...and BOOM! I win! I did later play around in TresEd and discover the hallways above the giganotosaurus room, and I found that automatic turret pretty friggen cool looking, and found that "tyrannotops" skull, as well as another WY-related article. I assume we would eventually have made our way up there, through the vents and onto the roof? I also discovered the little passage off to the side of the canyon that led back to the ravine - a neat additon.
Whew! There's my essay for today. This was a great level, well worth the wait, and I'd be very excited to see it finished and patched up to a 100% state. I really want to find out where the Weyland-Yutani plot goes, and what that giganotosaurus is doing cooped up in there. There is just so much to see and do, and very little of the level feels empty. Every location is unique and interesting, and it makes me want to see MOAR. Excellent work, General. The Force is strong with you.
The final verdict is:
Map Design: 8.5/10 - So much good stuff, with very little I disliked or felt was arbitrary. Every location was unique, and I just wanted to keep exploring to see what the next marvel would be. The only place that bummed me out was the dead end with the cryolophosaurus, but I assume this area was unfinished.
Gameplay: 3.5/10 - Although I didn't really notice while I was playing, there is a lack of puzzles and gameplay elements that hold the playability back. Due to the lack of any major triggers, I also have to assume there was never anything like this implemented due to the unfinished state. I would like to have seen more challenges and brain-games and perhaps something to fight off the few dinosaurs with (NOT necessarily a gun, mind you!)
Story: 8/10 - An Aliens crossover? Gotta love it. I was really interested when reading notes and magazines, and all the little hints here and there of what might have been happening at that final facility made the mystery quite intriguing. Due to the lack of a finished ending, I can't give this a 9 or 10, which it would receive if there was an appropriate climax and denouement.
Creativity: 9.5/10 - Just...wow. With what you had, you achieved something quite spectacular! I was happy to see so much created using good ol' building blocks, plus an array of other objects and interesting areas that made me keep looking for more, plus the inclusion of a sub-plot. I cannot stress how well done everything feels despite the limited resources - excellent work!
OVERALL: 8/10
Unfinished but unforgettable.