132 maps played and rated (if I include my own 8).
14 in queue
I hope I remember to do something 'special' for #150
The more maps I play...
I used to hate signs in the game, in favor of external text files, but my opinion has reversed.
I FEEL that a lot of map makers are so excited to get a map out to the community, they shortcut themselves during design, development, and testing. If you are going to release your map before it's "DONE" then please put WIP tags all over your post, readme, and in the file you distribute. I typically only want to review a map once.
The bar for what I consider 'average' is getting raised. I had assumed there would be a lot of "bad" maps out there to keep the bar level, but overall I am impressed.
It amazes me how many people make youtube videos of maps without giving the link to the map, credit to the author of the map, or INFORM the map maker that they made a video. It's actually very annoying to me. Communicate! Even if you don't care about promoting the map maker, by closing the communication loop, that map maker's thread is going to promote your channel/video.
I'm going to try and do a Quick Youtube Review for any new map rated 15 or over (like this one for )
I made another change to my 'difficulty' rating definition.
Specifically, I swapped 3 and 4.
Impact:
I did not decrease the rating of any maps.
A few maps had revised ratings, from a 3 to a 4.
Rationale:
1 - Too hard (on easy difficulty): Too many spawners and dark spaces for random mobs. Unforgiving traps/puzzles.
2 - Few to no mobs. Puzzles are too easy.
3 - Challenging puzzles, but mobs are too frequent or sparse -or- Mobs are well paced (on easy) but puzzles are too simple.
4 - Challenging puzzles -and- well-planned mob density. This includes maps meant to be played on peaceful with exceptionally good puzzles.
Review Summary:
This is CERTAINLY the most enjoyable escape map I've played. It was definitely challenging, though there's one sign that I don't see how anyone would have found (near the end). The decoration was superb. The story itself was somewhat 'standard' with 'standard' jokes.
Review Summary:
I had a surprising amount of fun running through this trap-filled maze and collecting treasure. I think it was enjoyable because of the texture pack - it felt like I was actually in a pyramid and tomb - not too decorated, but multitextured.
Review Summary:
This was a very long map that starts with some mundane puzzles, but gets a little better. The story is decent (a Portal clone, without the guns) but the author did put a lot of effort and attempted humor in the signs.
What number is mine currently in the queue? Just curious, as I had some ideas recently and might update relatively soon, but I'll hold off if my reviews too terribly soon.
Click my signature for my Trials of Romenhal puzzle map. It's got over 3500 downloads and mostly positive reviews from fellow minecrafters! Just one thing, I added a lot more detail to the backstory, so when you go to the map thread, read the backstory that's there, not the one inside the map. Thanks, and good luck! :biggrin.gif:
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Click the image for my finished puzzle map! 2500+ DL and counting!
What number is mine currently in the queue? Just curious, as I had some ideas recently and might update relatively soon, but I'll hold off if my reviews too terribly soon.
Click my signature for my Trials of Romenhal puzzle map. It's got over 3500 downloads and mostly positive reviews from fellow minecrafters! Just one thing, I added a lot more detail to the backstory, so when you go to the map thread, read the backstory that's there, not the one inside the map. Thanks, and good luck! :biggrin.gif:
Review Summary:
Overall, it was a fairly straight forward puzzler, with some effort put into the decorations. I particularly liked a puzzle with zombies.
Review Summary:
The author obviously took time to build a challenging set of timed jumping puzzles (not so much running puzzles). But it's just not the kind of map for me or my rating scale. I think (based on the final sign) that this may be a Work-In-Progress still. It started out with some background story, but that was never revisited. There was no visual decoration other than the blocks and ladders to jump on. I was glad that there were no explosive consequences for failing a puzzle.
I once played a map called Minecraft's Edge, which seems to be pretty popular.
Looking back on it, I really appreciate the FEEL of that game and the artist's effort. It's also one of the first maps that showed me you can create a good looking modern day map with texture pack.
However... Parkour maps are NOT my cup of tea, and I don't intend to play/review any more unless the author specifically asks me to.
But... IF I was someone who liked Parkour maps, here is what I would want to see.
Are the puzzles merged into some sort of visual background (e.g. a city)? I think the art of Parkour is to find a real-life area of the world and turn it into a jumping puzzle. So the game version should try to capture that feel, otherwise it's just an obstacle course.
Is there a GOAL at the end, or is it just running/jumping for the sake of running/jumping?
How much down-time is there between puzzles? I feel like Parkour should be constant motion, not stopping to press butttons and use beds. I would love to see the sort of checkpoint systems that allows the player to get back to the current puzzle without having to re-do previous puzzles.
A unique setting - let's see some space or other themed puzzles, not just modern day cities or enclosed, drab stone walls. At least use different colored blocks or something (lapis, netherrack, gold, diamond).
Minecraft's Edge, based off Mirror's Edge of course, was a brilliant map :biggrin.gif: They captured the feel of the original game very well, and it was alot of fun to get through :smile.gif: I do enjoy those maps that have a goal/story. Jumping for the sake of jumping is never fun.
Review Summary:
That was incredible. No question, the best adventure map I've ever played.
This map hits a perfect score on ALL of my rating criteria, and then goes above and beyond.
Some examples;
I was super impressed with the way the map maker 'contained' all of this goodness in what I would consider a medium-sized map area. The minecart and redstone tracks were just the right length.
I was also very impressed with the way they captured the Zelda-like feel and paced the armor and weapon upgrades, AND the tool upgrades, which gave us the opportunity to go back through past areas and use those tools to find more hidden stuff.
Not to mention the incredible redstone and noteblock contraptions.
In this map - you don't sit back and watch this stuff happen. You are part of the story at every turn. You are not just flicking a switch, you are placing blocks in the right places and then flicking switches to make things happen. The NPCs that you "save" along the way are re-used later to brilliant effect.
The story/dialogue is genius. Two specific examples that are repeated many times throughout the map;
1 - You read NPC dialogue from a sign, then you interact with the encounter, and that sign goes away. It's not just sitting there out of sequence.
2 - After major encounters, the dialogue in the quest hub "changes"! Meaning the signs get destroyed, blocks move, and reveal NEW dialogue for the next encounters. It's very very effective.
If you've read any of my other map reviews, I typically don't play for score. I play to get to the end of the story and if I happen to pick up some hidden score along the way, so be it. I typically end up with about half of the 'best available score'. But this time I was sucked into the hunt.
My Total Playtime: 5.5 hours
My Final Score: 38 gold blocks plus 4 gold ingots, all 8 villagers
damn this thread is gaining views fast, quick get some ideas on how to get something out of it - =P i mean help other people by putting a map of the week? lolz XD
also whats with the interviews?
Thought about doing a map of the week, but I don't think I can commit to a set schedule. So what I've vowed to do is make a video review of ANY map that scores 15 or higher. http://www.youtube.com/rsmalec
I've got one interview "in the can" but it's 34 minutes so I'm waiting until the weekend of the 10th to upload it properly (when I get my internet upgraded to fiber). I have plans to do at least 3 other interviews, but no set schedule yet.
I'm also monitoring the VANILLA challenge, helping out a few people with map ideas/testing/builds, recently joined the MinecraftBOB server, brainstorming my next adventure map, halfway done uploading my Eronev play highlights, and getting ready for MineCon.
AND... I'm really really hoping that you (Lukeys) and I can do that SMP this Saturday.
14 in queue
I hope I remember to do something 'special' for #150
The more maps I play...
Specifically, I swapped 3 and 4.
Impact:
I did not decrease the rating of any maps.
A few maps had revised ratings, from a 3 to a 4.
Rationale:
1 - Too hard (on easy difficulty): Too many spawners and dark spaces for random mobs. Unforgiving traps/puzzles.
2 - Few to no mobs. Puzzles are too easy.
3 - Challenging puzzles, but mobs are too frequent or sparse -or- Mobs are well paced (on easy) but puzzles are too simple.
4 - Challenging puzzles -and- well-planned mob density. This includes maps meant to be played on peaceful with exceptionally good puzzles.
Map: Illusion Escape
Version: 2.2
By: Cocopuffz
URL: http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/252264-adv-illusion-escape
Type: [Adv]
Review Summary:
This is CERTAINLY the most enjoyable escape map I've played. It was definitely challenging, though there's one sign that I don't see how anyone would have found (near the end). The decoration was superb. The story itself was somewhat 'standard' with 'standard' jokes.
My Total Playtime: 1.5 hours
Map Total Rating (out of 20): 19
Map: MCPyramid
By: War904
URL: http://www.minecraftforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=1020&t=146876
Review Summary:
I had a surprising amount of fun running through this trap-filled maze and collecting treasure. I think it was enjoyable because of the texture pack - it felt like I was actually in a pyramid and tomb - not too decorated, but multitextured.
My Total Playtime: 1.5 hours
Map Total Rating (out of 20): 13
Map: Cube Inc.
By: CWHunt456
URL: http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/436141-advpuz-cube-inc
Review Summary:
This was a very long map that starts with some mundane puzzles, but gets a little better. The story is decent (a Portal clone, without the guns) but the author did put a lot of effort and attempted humor in the signs.
My Total Playtime: 3+ hours
Map Total Rating (out of 20): 13
What number is mine currently in the queue? Just curious, as I had some ideas recently and might update relatively soon, but I'll hold off if my reviews too terribly soon.
Click the image for my finished puzzle map! 2500+ DL and counting!
Yours is number 9 now.
Clicked and downloaded - you're #11 in the queue
Brilliant, I should be able to fit that update in then :smile.gif:
Checkpoints were sorely needed, and random puzzle ideas are always fun :3
Map: The Flame of Life
By: ColdFusionGaming
URL: http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/553911-flame-of-life
Review Summary:
Overall, it was a fairly straight forward puzzler, with some effort put into the decorations. I particularly liked a puzzle with zombies.
My Total Playtime: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Map Total Rating (out of 20): 11
Version: 8/24/2011
By: 3guysplayingmc
URL: http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/567703-parkour-run
Type: [Parkour]
Review Summary:
The author obviously took time to build a challenging set of timed jumping puzzles (not so much running puzzles). But it's just not the kind of map for me or my rating scale. I think (based on the final sign) that this may be a Work-In-Progress still. It started out with some background story, but that was never revisited. There was no visual decoration other than the blocks and ladders to jump on. I was glad that there were no explosive consequences for failing a puzzle.
My Total Playtime: 20 min
Map Total Rating (out of 20): 8
Looking back on it, I really appreciate the FEEL of that game and the artist's effort. It's also one of the first maps that showed me you can create a good looking modern day map with texture pack.
However... Parkour maps are NOT my cup of tea, and I don't intend to play/review any more unless the author specifically asks me to.
But... IF I was someone who liked Parkour maps, here is what I would want to see.
Map: Eronev Mansion Adventure
Version: 1.61
By: Jigarbov and Feylina
URL: http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/538574-adv-eronev
Review Summary:
That was incredible. No question, the best adventure map I've ever played.
This map hits a perfect score on ALL of my rating criteria, and then goes above and beyond.
Some examples;
My Total Playtime: 5.5 hours
My Final Score: 38 gold blocks plus 4 gold ingots, all 8 villagers
Map Total Rating (out of 20): 20
I do use SPC (Single Player Commands), and I will gladly play and rate any map that is suggested.
But I'm not sure I'm going to like a map that mandates constant storms. I hate rain. It is dark and it lags many computers. But sure - I'll try yours.
I have 3 map makers agreed to do interviews once I can figure out how to match schedules.
And a list of folks I would like to talk to. If anyone else is reading this, pm me if interested!
Thought about doing a map of the week, but I don't think I can commit to a set schedule. So what I've vowed to do is make a video review of ANY map that scores 15 or higher. http://www.youtube.com/rsmalec
I've got one interview "in the can" but it's 34 minutes so I'm waiting until the weekend of the 10th to upload it properly (when I get my internet upgraded to fiber). I have plans to do at least 3 other interviews, but no set schedule yet.
I'm also monitoring the VANILLA challenge, helping out a few people with map ideas/testing/builds, recently joined the MinecraftBOB server, brainstorming my next adventure map, halfway done uploading my Eronev play highlights, and getting ready for MineCon.
AND... I'm really really hoping that you (Lukeys) and I can do that SMP this Saturday.
The poetry experiment is mostly on hold.