Halfenstein

[scojer]

I'm on my PS3 right now so I'll keep this short. I've been working on this for quite a while. I want to do a full blown mod, but for now is just a map. I'll tell you guys more about my plans later when I get on my pc.

in the meantime try out my map and let me know what you think!

Also this is my first publicly released map.

EDIT: Updated to include (hopefully) improved lighting. Let me know if it is better than it was, if you played the old version too.

Also, I've begun work on my next map.

[Phott]

Should have waited until you could have at least posted some screenshots.

[scojer]

Here you go.

I was just excited last night and wanted to tell someone.

[Chrille]

I like it. HL2 models and those high-res textures doesn't seem to really fit with the simple level geometry, but it seems charming enough.

[Major Banter]

It's been a while since I last tested something, so I had a play.

Before I get into a list of basic criticisms, I'd like to say why I won't say a great deal.

Why are you directly recreating Wolfenstein 3D in Source? A project undertaken several times before? A project in which the gameplay will be two decades old? Wolf3D was a good game a long time ago. Why not create something unique? Something that is yours? If you're going to work in the Wolf universe, why not look at Return to Castle Wolfenstein, which offered a lot more gameplay, lore and distinct style to draw on? If it's based in the Wolf universe but isn't meant to be a direct copy, why have you made a direct copy?

Obviously a perfectly acceptable answer to many of these questions is that it is a test map for working on your skills. It's a sound map, largely thanks to its simplicity, but it's got no major issues. However, here's a list of minor issues with suggested fixes:

-Some of the 'Eagle on a black background' arches have not had thier collisions disabled. Disable collisions.

-The orange lighting turns the blue bricks green. Make them brighter, less saturated and/or add .25 into 'Linear' under the light properties (assuming Quadratic is at 1)

-The orange lighting is dark, continuous and dull. Add blues, make use of softer yellows. Study colour theory such as contrasts and psychology.

-The gameplay suffers greatly from being Wolf3D. This is a fundamental issue and lies with the theme itself. It is slow, monotonous and unchallenging, with no cover or evolving challenge. It is truly linear - room to room clearing. Unless you change your theme this is inevitable. Unless you blow up some walls mid-fight and let some soldiers in or something.

-Because it is too dark, excessive flashlight use is an issue. This is frustrating in HL2 as the flashlight draws on the sprint function. Consider previous advice.

-The player is not given an item_suit at the start. This may be intentional.

I'm bashing the theme because I feel that modders and developers constantly need to move forward rather than step back; if you're going to copy something, you need to change it up. That being said, it is an accurate representation barring the secret mission secret, and the ending opens it up to a sudden twist of style. For all I know, you'll suddenly turn it into some retro-awesome map after making the player think it's going to be 'just another Wolf map'.

Closing comments: Overall, a solid recreation with lighting issues. There is nothing original however, and this is disappointing. I find the map is not a decent representation of the mapper's skills.Also, this is all opinion and should not be taken as professional advice; you can disagree with me!

[scojer]

SNIP.

Thanks for the critique! I have been wanting to do this mod for a long time. It is not going to be a remake, the reason that I did the remake of the first map, was to let people know that it is set in the Wolfverse, and to re-learn Worldcraft. (It's hammer now, I know.) I started this mod for Opposing Force, but a virus ate my hard drive and I got discouraged after losing all of my progress. A few years later, I just decided to start it again, and this time in the Source engine.

Here's what I want to do with it:
G-man sent you back in time to prevent the combine from changing history. They want to prevent B.J. from killing Hitler, so Hitler wins the war, as he would be a more powerful ally than Breen. You have to keep that from happening.

I wanted to have Nazi's fighting the Combine, but I cannot model, so I am just going to use the combine for now, and the HL2 models instead of a turkey leg or WWII healthkit.

The reason that I did the ending that way was to tell you that it isn't going to be another Wolf rehash. That game is a masterpiece and should not be re-created, never, ever, and my future levels will have references, but I will not make another replica. I tried my best to make this level pay good homage to the first, and I hope I did a good job.

I will be using inspiration from all the Wolfenstein games, not just 3d, so you have nothing to worry about there. This is going to be an original story-line, and there will be open spaces, as well as claustrophobic spaces. I want it to be a thrilling game. I have big ambitions, and I have a lot to learn to figure everything out.

As for the lighting, I tried to pay homage to HL, and I got a HL logo, and used the color of orange for most of the lights. It is kinda dull and out of place most of the time, so I will look into using different colors, as well as brighten it up so players don't have to continuously use the flashlight.

It is intentional that players don't have the suit at start, if too many people say that it is annoying, than I will make it where they start with the suit. I just felt that starting off without it would be more realistic.

Also, how can you say that nothing is original? I made all the textures except the floor, ceiling, and fireplace textures! . For now though, it is a representation of my skills, kind of. I use to make some fun maps that my friends and I would play at LAN parties. So, until I shake the rust off, I have a lot of improving to do.

Thanks again for the critique!

[scojer]

Here's some comparisons of some screenshots while I was working on this back in 2005. I wish I had more, but this is all I have from back then. I had about 4 levels done. This just makes me want to make this mod even more now.

[scojer]

Hey, just want to let everyone know that I updated the old map to hopefully improve the lighting, and I have begun work on my next map. Let me know if the improved lighting is actually an improvement or not!

[scojer]

Level 2, WIP

Let me know what you think so far, and as you can tell, it is not a remake of any Wolfenstein maps, and it picks up directly where my last level left off.

[SotaPoika]

Level 2, WIP

Let me know what you think so far, and as you can tell, it is not a remake of any Wolfenstein maps, and it picks up directly where my last level left off.

What finnish airforces have to do with Nazi complex you're building? This was Finnish Airforces' symbol from 1918-1945:



Also, needs less swastikas. I mean, all doors have swastika (along with walls, even it's wrong logo). Why? Nazi-forces forget on their bathroom break what side they're on so they need to be reminded about it?

[Dr Evil]

Also, needs less swastikas. I mean, all doors have swastika (along with walls, even it's wrong logo). Why? Nazi-forces forget on their bathroom break what side they're on so they need to be reminded about it?

I laughed so hard I snorted my coffee

[scojer]

Level 2, WIP

Let me know what you think so far, and as you can tell, it is not a remake of any Wolfenstein maps, and it picks up directly where my last level left off.

What finnish airforces have to do with Nazi complex you're building? This was Finnish Airforces' symbol from 1918-1945:



Also, needs less swastikas. I mean, all doors have swastika (along with walls, even it's wrong logo). Why? Nazi-forces forget on their bathroom break what side they're on so they need to be reminded about it?

Noted. Lol. You're right that there is too many swastikas. I'll take them off the doors. As for the tiles though that is how I made the texture. Does the swastika have to be tilted to be the Nazi version? I figured it being tile, it being straight would be okay.