Thursday, April 25, 2013

Freaky Zombie Assault


Freaky Zombie Assault [ver. 1.1]
Map maker: [UME-projekt]
Map Type: Survival
Number of Players:
Replayability: 8/10

The premise is simple, to finish the game you must kill off every zombie spawning NPC called a mutation. You may think that is it but it gets better as the game moves on. It’s a simple game with cool guns and fun mechanics. The game starts with you choosing what class you will play, each class is different from the latter. They all possess the same skill set and character roles, the only defining factor is the guns each unit is equipped with. The gun for each unit varies in attack speed, fire power and rang of units. Some guns can only hit one target but has a very high attack speed. While other guns can attack three moving targets at once but have a very slow recovery time.

The first character class in the roster is the Special Forces class. This class is equipped with an MG42 which allows for a very fast attack rate and three grenades. The second class is the Troopers of District 9. The troopers of district nine have the arc gun which is a pretty strong gun albeit slow it is very powerful if used against a crowd of enemies since it has splash damage capability. Native troopers are the wild card of the bunch. Instead of having a gun they have an Indian staff which shoot fire balls. Now you may think it is a laughable class but those fireballs stun enemies for a good second or so. Running and gunning is a whole lot easier with this class. Space Marines of course have the bolter weapon which has a chance of dealing double damage. They also get smoke grenades for stunning enemy units. Electric Mans get the shock rifle which deals damage to 3 units like a multi shoot weapon, kinda slow but has decent damage. They also get a amphetamine injection an item that increases attack speed for a duration. Krauser Forces get a cross bow and repair kits. The cross bow is able to wound units. Wounded units generally lose substantial amounts of health over time.

Each weapon needs ammunition an can be bought at the dealer, the weapons themselves however cannot be bought at the dealer. There are also levels for the weapons, with each higher tier granting better damage and effects.

The Good.

It’s a very fun game. Each character class is unique and can hold his own ground. Each one catering to a different playing style whether making a last stand or running around and gunning down enemies to fleshy bits. 

The Bad.

Could have used more custom models, buildings in fact could have been better looking. It could have used a better atmosphere than just a town with a snow covered forest surrounding it. 


Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Zombie Assault Force


Zombie Assault Force [ver1.03]
Map maker: JaakkoAA
Map Type:  Defense, Survival
Number of Players: 2-12
Replayability: 8/10

This is one of my favorite maps to play. I just cannot get enough of it. It’s challenging, engaging and loads of fun to play, by your lonesome or with friends. You are split into two teams. There are different scenarios for you to choose. One mode requires you to outlive and outlast the other team, while another one wants you to pick a place to make your last stand. They all have one thing in common. The unrelenting assault of the mutated undead horde, that wishes to see you and your team mates dead. The intro is pretty sweet.

There are nine classes for you to choose, each with a unique load out of tools and skills that will help the team survive. There are little things that make the game a bit more special. For example the mechanics, you can loot houses/buildings and vehicles as well. Each house may give you a valuable item that can help but the catch is that while you are looting a timer appears. Your character cannot move until that timer has run out. You have to rely on your team mates to fend off enemies until you can move once more. There are also items scattered around the map,

The Good

Now the game makes use of ammunition if you run out of it, well you won’t last long in this game. The Arms dealer class can make ammo for the group, although it takes quite some time and a fair bit of mana. The Observer class can be used to scout ahead for enemies, valuable items, houses to ransack and people to rescue/recruit. Field Operations get to call for help. Detachment Commander gives morale bonuses such as speed and what not. Demolitions get to blow stuff up. The Scientist class examines the bodies left by the undead mobs and gets bonuses from it. The SAS marine can function as a tank for the team. Pioneers build barricades and other useful stuff. Medics heal and mend injuries all around. When facing enemies there is a chance that you will get injured. Once you are injured penalties occur. Decrease in movement speed is one of these penalties.

The Bad

It’s hard and the zombies themselves are unique, unique in a way that if something is in their way. They will launch themselves or their buddies in the air. The first time that happened I panicked and got mauled pretty easily. This is not a game I would recommend for beginners. When night falls, things get harder.

Legion of Heroes ORPG


Legion of Heroes ORPG [ver 2.3c]
Map maker: Drunk3nPanda
Map Type: RPG
Number of Players: 4-8
Replayability: 8/10

Imagine an RPG map in warcraft 3, a very long RPG game. This is a very time consuming game. If you want easy cheap 3 hour games, go play some other map. This one will take a while.  The good thing about maps such as this is the save feature that is present in ORPG maps. Which is amazing since Im sure you can load a character save file while playing on a different computer.

The game plays like an RPG hence the title “Legion of Heroes ORPG”. At the beginning you play as a Strong Man/ Strong Woman which ever floats your boat. You must complete quests given by NPCs scattered throughout the land. Killing spiders, finding people, destroying structures are all in the days work for your character. Your character isn’t given a specific role in the beginning he/she must make his way towards the second town/city to achieve a second more useful tier. From archers, priests and an unusual class a samurai. The second tier of character classes are much more varied and makes use of custom models.

The Good

Its simple and simple has always been good. It gets straight to the point where you have to kill this to get stronger. You get this item if you find this woman. You need to get to this town to further the game. I highly suggest that once you change classes reload the game. Use the code generated for your character at the beginning of the map. The quests seem to restart but you keep most of your items, well most of it.

The Bad

It is, like all ORPG maps, long and very time consuming. But that isn’t so bad hey at least you can save your character. Another thing is I wish the map could use more custom character models. 

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Defence of the Earth Hellfail


Defence of the Earth Hellfail [ver 5]
Map maker: -Captain-jaMe-
Map Type: Defence, survival
Number of Players: 8-10 Full house
Replayability: 8/10

This is by far the map with the most quirkiest game mechanic ever. You don’t get to choose your heroes the normal way with hero taverns. Where most maps showcase the heroes backstory along with his/her/its main stat attribute and role/s(Tank, Nuker, Support..etc). This makes you grasp in the dark. Choosing heroes on this game, like clicking the random button in any character selection. You don’t kow what you are going to get.

Let me explain. You have fourteen characters which are represented by a letter, yes a letter not a clickable icon but a letter(Q.r.f.g.b.n.m.c.a.i.p.s.i.ll). Its really unique and at the same thing frustrating. The characters themselves are unique since most of them are custom made or modded warcraft 3 characters. From a cool looking Snowman, a team fortress inspired flame loving Gnoll, a Gandalf rip off aptly named granny, and of course anime based female characters with big guns.

There are a whole lot of shops scattered around the 4 corners of the map. The items themselves are weird. Crabs that give a life steal effect. Chickens having attack speed boosts(aptly named KFC). This is one weird map.

The Good

I like it because it tries to defer from the norm of the usual defend and survive maps. Where you have heroes running around in circles, trying to outrun and gun enemies down. It is not like that at all. You need to find a nice spot where you can hole yourself. You should not clash with waves headon. Even a full house taking enemies on, will end with half the heroes dead. The other half are scattered all over the map. 

The Bad

Game mechanic is weird and not for first time players. You are thrown into a game where the creator doesn’t bother to tell you smack, aside from typing a code and exploring on your own. You are bound to lose a few rounds before you win against a wave.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Diablo Defense Survival


Diablo Defense Survival [ver 5.18]
Map maker: Rus|Verm
Map Type:  Hero defense
Number of Players: 1-8
Replayability: 7/10

Another defense map that is one of the hardest maps I have ever played. The game constantly throws enemy mobs at you, not giving you a seconds chance to even breathe. The variety of characters is amazing, allowing you to take the game on with any strategy you can think of off. Its really interesting having different archetypes of heroes such as sorcerers and assassins following different paths. Lightning based magic, Assasins attacking from the shadows or with a bow and arrow. It captures the appeal of the Diablo universe in its own unique way.

Teamwork is required to even progress thru the game and playing solo is a death wish. The map features items derived from the Diablo universe. Such things are the Horadric Malus, rare jewels Amethysts, etc. One thing that bothers me is I cant seem to find a courier for you. Defending on the frontlines while choosing which item to purchase aint easy. It gets harder when your character has to go back and forth, even if the game has portals that lead to the main base or an in-game command for easy teleportation for players. 

The Good

Where Do I start, the game forces you to be creative and at the same time make critical decisions that will either send you and your team mates to an early death or propel you to the next wave. The different classes of one job is a definite plus. You can choose whether you want so shoot balls of fire or send volleys of ice from the sky.

The Bad

There is not much I can say here, it is one of those few good maps that stand out from the rest. I would recommend people to play this game, even if you’re not fan of Diablo or haven’t played a game from the franchise. 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Archimondes Arena


Archimondes Arena [ver 2.0]
Map maker: Mr_Bean
Map Type: Hero Arena, Cooperative
Number of Players: 2-4
Replayability: yes

A map that has very little room for you to move about but do not let that enclosed space fool you. This map has a lot of perks than the usual plethora of kill - buy cycle prevalent in Hero arena based maps.

The heroes themselves are well made with team work in mind. Warriors, mages, thieves and archers are all available choices for you. Regardless what character you choose all it matters is that you can perform the role that you chose to play.

The game features the usual line up of shops. Equipment to boost your characters abilities, making surviving a least bit easier. Consumables that could save you from the brink of death. The thing that I like about this game is the gamble system. You could win it all and at the same time lose everything in an instant. The arena managers use is to inform the players what they will be facing in the next rounds. Along with the weather and other factors that may help or slow them down.

The Good

It is an easy map that’s fun to play with friends or solo. Not much strategy is needed to win in this game. You just don’t need to suck and you’ll be fine. Even first time players can without a doubt survive all 25 rounds. The map is still in its early stages, it could go far.

The Bad

Its short very short. The map is small not much room to breathe. The monsters themselves are not much of a threat. Provided you know what you should be doing. The boss can be outsmarted and killed with ease, again if you know what you are doing. Item themselves are just your run of the mill equipment. Not much can be said.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Resident Evil Snow


Resident Evil Snow [ver3.4]
Map maker: Sthen
Map Type: Survival
Number of Players: 6-8
Replayability: probable

The plot of the game is simple. Your vehicle (in this case a helicopter) has crashed into a snowy area, you must now survive the inescapable onslaught of the mutated and dead things. Its just a run and gun type of thing. The problem in these type of scenarios are when you don’t have room to run around any longer. The main purpose of the game is for you to survive, other important factors such as strategic turret usage and vantage points such as higher ground. Guns play an important role. They modify the damage of the player, without ammunition a gun is practically useless. The player can opt for weapons that don’t require ammo, such as the drill weapon or plasma based weaponry. You can also go for unarmed combat with your trusty combat knife but you wouldn’t last 5 seconds against an approaching mob of enemies.

The enemies range from your usual undead guy to mutated spiders and other weird things.


The Good

The thing I like about survival games against zombies is the crawl stance. Although not featured in every game, you can find it in most. I like the fact that endless amounts of mutated creatures are coming for you yet you have the time to lay on the ground, shoot at em and crawl away. Its delightful. The variety of guns is a nice touch.

The Bad

You shoot them, they go down back to the ground. You reload and shoot them again. Certain times when you have to run a bit and circle around, then shoot them again. That’s all there is too it. You can unlock some rooms and gain the valuable items inside. But actually finding the keys is another different story. You might actually end getting killed looking for a way to unlock the rooms. Rinse and repeat everyone. 

Fortress Survival Alpha


Fortress Survival Alpha [ver 5.30B]
Map maker: Mad Nevo
Map Type: Survival
Number of Players: Full House
Replayability: yes

The game is all about surviving. As waves upon waves of creatures are unleashed you must be able to hold them off until the timer reaches zero. You have 50 minutes to outlive everyone else on the map. You have to choose where you will make your last stand. Make sure the place can outfitted to become impenetrable, since you are holding off creatures that want to tear your heart out. There are several area in the map where NPCs can be found. While they cannot be converted into your units they provide additional fire power early in the game. You can claim these areas, some NPCs will ask you to defend them for a span of time. Doing so will convert them into your units in the long run.

Building Structures is how you win or survive in this game. There are a lot of buildings for you to choose. From barricades, towers, lumber mills, a command post, robot factory and regenerating wells. You should take note that it takes a while to build a structure, much more as to raising its tier. Aside from the creeps spawning left and right, Boss mobs also appear every so often. They will leave a trail of destruction behind them as they come for you.

The Good

It’s a fun game, very addicting to say the least. You need friends when playing this or not and just go solo. It wont be as easy as going with mates you can count on. I hope micro management is something you have picked up. It will come in handy.

The Bad

Its hard, limited building space and acquisition of resources takes a while. While it can be remedied with raising the buildings tier, it is not as easy as it sounds. But I guess that’s where the game shines.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Protect The House!


Protect The House! [ver 2.6]
Map maker: PainRelievers
Map Type: Castle Defense
Number of Players: 5 - 10
Replayability: yes

It is another map with another structure to defend and more zombies to dispose. I couldn’t specify how important teamwork is, just to make it through the first wave. The premise is very simple. In the very exact middle of the map is your house and you must protect it from the relentless onslaught of undead creatures.

Player roles are split into a variety of jobs. Gunner, Firebat, Medic, Sniper, Engineer and the Gunslinger comprise the games roles. There is little to no difference between character classes. Some cant shoot as fast as the other characters but deal twice the damage. While some can act as mobile altars resurrecting fallen allies as they go. They all have one thing in common and that is they can summon buildings.

The game has two shops for you to purchase items and tomes. The tomes themselves don’t seem to do much, even if they do the effect is miniscule. The buildings that you can make range from basic upgradable towers, repair bots, barricades, bunkers and defibrillator units to shock your team mates back to life.

The Good

Fun, exhilarating and makes you act on choices that will either progress you and your team mates to another level or spell demise for everyone. Build towers and barricades upgrade them quickly or use your money to upgrade your character, adding more damage and health to fend off enemies.

The Bad

It’s a pretty quick game, once you get the tactics and strategy down. The game is over. The map itself is pretty small just a few shops with items that really doesn’t do much good. The game could benefit with more shops offering services such as mercenaries, consumables, and other things.

Zombieland


Zombieland [ver 1.1]
Map maker: Nafre
Map Type: Defense
Number of Players: 4-8
Replayability: Yes

A map where you take the role of a soldier (makes use of a marine model) that must fight off hordes upon hordes of the undead menace using what little time you have let to find a way out. Its best that you team up buddies since playing this on single player is difficult although not impossible. The map revolves around two things, defending the chopper and repairing it. There are specific points in the map where I guess you can salvage materials (lumber) to help you restore the choppers health.

A merchant provides you a myriad of weapons, armors and consumable items shake things up. You can choose to have weapons that either focus on speed or have a higher damage output. Or fill all of your equipment slots with all the armor you can find, taunt the zombies and have them chase you around. Or just firebomb/chemical bomb every zombie you see.

A simple job system is in place, thus making you choose whether you stay as a marine or turn into a scientist. Scientist can have two uses, give you health or restore mana quickly. And a spot on the map where you can earn instant money for items, if you survive though.

The Good
It’s a fun map that doesn’t let you, but wants you to actually cooperate with fellow team members so you can win and survive every wave thrown at you. And with each wave they grow stronger and tougher.

The Bad

The map is too small while nothing being wrong with small maps, I just felt that this map could’ve used more freedom for the characters to explore and scrounge up some stuff. One peculiar thing I saw was the zombies that spawn at night time, the one that are supposed to attack me seems to be mowing down the zombies that spawn at the graveyard.  Very exploitable.