Layout - Score 6

Ever seen those action movies where the hero runs through the parking garage, guns blazing after the bad guy? Well, now it is your turn and hopefully you are on the correct end of that barrel. This is a straight forward map, it is a simple rectangular layout of a multi-level parking garage. Complete with five stories, two stairwells and an elevator. This layout is simple, but maybe too simple. There are some very good lines of fire, but considering the area, not much stands in the way of a bullet. Watch your every move in here. The stairwells seem to provide a great amount of coverage, as there is non-breakable glass from the ground up to the top level. Gaining access to each level can be accomplished by either stairwell, located in adjacent corners, an express elevator, with service to the rooftop, or take the long route and your life into your hands and venture up the driveways leading to and from the next level.

Textures & Sky - Score 6

The gray of cement and concrete dominate most of the maps textured areas, giving off that cold and rough feel enclosed areas like this are prone to do. Standing outside there are some nice looking streets and sidewalks, complete with painted lines, for all those non-existent automobiles. The orangish-red sky looks great (maybe it is my video cards), and really help set the overall ambience for this maps. It is a strong contrast the the grays of the structure.

Prefabs - Score 4

Any sort of prefab in this map would surely have added to this rather empty feeling map. All is not lost, there is one storage room on the ground floor which has boxes. Unfortunately, they don't server much of a purpose for anything. Some random automobiles, scattered throughout some of the different levels would most definitely helped this layout.

Sounds - Score

N/A

Lighting - Score 7

As you step into this map, there is a definite feel of dusk falling upon the parking garage. Ample lighting illuminates most all of the levels in the garage itself. There are a few expections, and this goes for each and every floor. There are darkened areas on each floor of the parking structure. The roof is probably the darkest of the five level structure. The light posts give off a cascade of light, which falls in a circular pattern on the ground.With little to hid behind, you could be a sitting duck. Stay low and out of the light.

Playability - Score 3

ARRGH! Is makes you wonder, how this was not caught before it was released to AQMD. I would have to say, this is a good example of what NOT to have r_speeds look like. Average r_speeds throughout this map range from 100s to 3000+, when standing outside looking from one corner of the map to the other. This makes most maps over the internet very laggy and difficult to play. Even when you are inside the structure, the r_speeds are averaging 1200-1600. Unacceptable by todays mapping standards. This map did play, without lag over a LAN. The files unzip correctly and are appropriately named.

Teamplay - Score 5

We managed to get a few rounds of teamplay in on parkgarage before changing maps. Overall, most enjoyed the TP aspect on it, but there were a few who did not like it at all. Most of the complaints were about the lack of objects to provide for cover when taking fire. The rounds also went rather fast. Snipers scored big, as they would lurk in the darkness on the roof and pick off would be attackers as they emerged from the elevator or the access ramp leading down to the previous level. Most favored the assault rifle or the machine gun.

DM - Score

N/A

Originality - Score 6

I do like the idea, but it should have been carried a bit further. It seems to me, this maps may have been released before the mapping "standards" and guidelines were set. I do like the layout, but there could have been some work to create a different surround then the Strogg desert. A cityscape would have helped to create a desired effect. After numerous rounds, this does become a monotonous map in teamplay. DM possibilities? Maybe. Just need to create a few more areas and obstacles for the players to run through and around.

General Feel - Score 6

This map used to have a home in your LAN rotation, but was soon replaced by maps which provided more action throughout the maps' entirety. With a bit of work, this map could give action fans another unique structure to play in. But until r_speeds are greatly reduced and some prefabs, or something to be used as cover is added, this map may just collect dust in your map file. It is worth checking out, just to keep from making the same mistakes.

Final Rating - Score 5.3 (42/8)