Map reviews

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Bionica v3.1 (FINAL)

by aGorm

Looks

File:Map-bionica-minimap.png

That map looks (don't be fooled by the minimap!) really good. The central island is especially nice; the texture used is perfect. It is slightly stylized (like TA maps) not a real world... The metal around the edge actually looks pretty damn good too, as you don't notice the sea join at all. It gives it the feel of being on an island, without being on one. Other maps that come to the edge look bad because it seems abrupt. This avoids that problem because it's meant to be. One gripe that stops this from getting 9/10: there are ramps, and they are necessary, but they spoil the look. However it's still is very good.

8/10

Playability

The start positions are wrong. This is annoying. Also everyone will need to make them the same to play. However it clearly has lots of potential for a good game once started. All the players would have to fight around and destroy there neighbours on land, and use air and sea to get the others, which could lead to all sorts of cool suprise attacks and so forth. The island in the middle, containing extra metal and great radar coverage, is a good place to get. Only one real problem: there is not much room for a base around the outside. If you started there, you'd be at a disadvantage.

7/10

Want the map? Get It here: http://www.fileuniverse.com/?page=showitem&ID=1032

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Lava Highground 2 - v1.0

by aGorm

Looks

The map looks, at first sight, pretty good. The texture is maybe a little repetitive, but it's different. The ambiance is good (i.e. sky effects and lighting). In "normal mode" it all looks fine! Just nothing special...

However... The metal map is like somthing out of a funky light show. It's just green dots on the ground! They obviously meant to represent metal patches, but the time was not taken to add then onto the surface map. If they would have, I would forgive them but as they are--well they do look a bit off.

7/10

Playability

Here it scores above average... It's a simple concept, everything works well (as you'd hope in a second version...) No problems, except how easy it is to defend... Should 2 popup turrets and 4 imolators really be able to take down 100 mavericks? Not really... However the terrain does give that sort of great advantage to the defender; but a good attacker will be able to work around this!

Its biggest problem here is just size... It's tiny really. Had it been a little bigger I'd have said 8/10, but it has dropped to 6/10.

Want the map? Get It here: http://www.fileuniverse.com/?page=showitem&ID=1011

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Destination: Mars

Map made by Buggi

Reviewed by GenBlood

Looks

The map is of Mars the forth planet from the sun in the solar system. The planet has large deposits of metal all over the map. The over all look of the map is good and well layed out. The map size is 40x30 and was designed for 8 players. This isn't meant for a 1 vs 1 game, unless you have a few hours to kill. The overall look and feel is good and a must have in your maps folder.

Rating 8 out 10

Playability

This map has alot of metal, so harvesting resources shouldn't be a big problem. When building between solar or wind generators, you should select the wind generators. They use less metal and build faster then solar at the start of the game. You should build metal storage units and energy storage units early in the game. Its better to have extra resources, incase you solar or wind generators get damaged during the game. The map is big but, the resources are their. So, a good player can build alot of planes and ground units. So, you will need to build good ground and air defenses early in the game. If you don't the game will be over really quick. Also, having good team members on your side is a plus. They can help you build your base, gather resources and send allie messages to help you out during the game. Like, what to build and why you did it. So, IMHO .. this is a good 4 or 6 player map. I haven't tried 8 players over the internet. Most likely you will have to be on a LAN to get 8 players on this map without any lag.

Rating 9 out 10

Want this maps? goto this url: http://www.fileuniverse.com/?page=showitem&ID=998

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Volcano Island

    Map made by aGorm
    Reviewed by GenBlood

Looks

The overall textures and placement of the trees are good. There isn't too many trees per island. The metal resources and geo vents per island our very good and well layed out. This is a good 2 player map or a 2 vs. 2 map. There is four islands and lots of water. In the middle on the map there is a lot of metal. The first person or team that can control it will be hard to beat. The bottom line is the overall look and feel is good.

Rating 7 out 10

Playability

When starting you have all the resources you'll need at your fingers tips. You can build on land and in the water. To get the most out of this map you will need to build on the land and in the water. This map will force people to build ships in my opinion. If you are a good player you can win without building ships, but you will get more out of this map if you do both. The map can be played over and over. The key to winning is getting control of the center of the map to get the metal. Once you control the center, its a good chance you will win the game IMO :) .. Playability of this map is good and a must have for you maps folder.

Rating 7.5 out 10

Want this maps? goto this URL: http://www.fileuniverse.com/?page=showitem&ID=793

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Core Prime Industrial Area

    Map made by zwzsg
    Reviewed by GenBlood

Looks

A classic Core Contingency metal map converted for TASpring and can play 6 players with room to spare. The textures and overall look reminds me of TA in the old days. The resources like metal and energy are well balanced. Converting maps isn't that easy... it takes time ... to compile them and make sure they have the same feel as it orginal CC map. zwzsg you did a great job on converting this map and I look forward to future maps from you.

Rating 8 out 10

Playability

Metal maps are different from other TASpring maps, like others you have the gather metal at certain locations. Most of the map can produce metal in some amount. Resource management on building ground units, planes and structures is important during the beginning of the game. Make sure you have lots of energy in the beginning. If you build too much at the start and don't manage your energy properly. You base building will slow down really FAST ... I've made some bad choices on this map and got crushed really fast.. I've learned from my mistakes and have improved my overall game play. Overall this is a kick ass map and IT'S a MOST have in your maps folder..

Rating 8.5 out 10

Want this maps? goto this url: http://www.fileuniverse.com/?page=showitem&ID=720