Biodome - Dunkelschwamm
This is an early version of another map called Holodeck. I recommend skipping this and going straight to that map. But it does have a separate entry on the map database so here is a separate review.
Author: Shnuh
Date of release:2002
Maps in package:1
Map review of Biodome
(originally posted on SCMapDB)
Biodome is a sandbox map for Sven Co-op, wherein an arena comprised of a flat square area adored with turret towers with bridges between them set the stage for players to toy with the tools of Sven Co-op.
This map is split up into two parts. The first is the arena. The arena is where players spawn, and it's where the action is focused. Players can use a ladder to exit the arena, but until they do that they are IN the arena. Depending on the whims of the players who climbed the ladder, the arena may be peaceful, populated with allies, full of weapons, full of enemies, raining missiles, underwater, full of killer electricity beams, or riddled with snarks. Down here, you are subject to those up there.
The second part of the map is the buttons- the "up there" I just mentioned. Once you climb the ladder, you get to pretty the buttons that dictate the nature of the arena. To insulate yourself from the horrors of the arena, or from tenacious usurpers, you can erect a shield which separates the upper button area from the lower arena. Just be careful- you always spawn in the arena, so if you die with the shields up or get killed with an overbearing death machine running in the arena, you might not be able to get back to the buttons again.
From within the arena, things can be quite thrilling. When a player manages to get a good loadout supplied to them, a balanced assault of different enemies thrown your way can make for a shockingly good time. Especially when the player up with the buttons is pressing them as fast as possible, filling the arena with a dense chaos of friend and foe alike. I can't stress enough that it helps to be well equipped, because without HEV or any bullet weapons it's a nightmare. Without a player in the buttons spawning addition gun, players only get a crowbar to start.
The map itself is very bland looking. The lighting looks fullbright, the arena and button area are very plain. This is function over form big time, but even then the button area breaks down in function as well- the buttons are not clearly labeled at all. Even the buttons which do have labels, like the enemy spawning buttons (two different material colored buttons, labeled as female assassin, one will spawn friendly assassins and the other will spawn enemy assassins. Some buttons come with absolutely no label at all, though. I think that's a big problem. If half of your map's attraction is buttons, and those buttons make the other half work, at least take the time to specifically label them.
Overall, I think biodome is a fine weird niche sandbox map. If you like Stadium but wish you could just spam enemies to your heart content, I think biodome will be right for you.
Pros:
- I like the concept of pressing buttons to affect an arena which players can choose to be part of
- You can press those buttons to your heart's content!
- Good selection of buttons, including lots of specific unique effects
- I like how HEV drops in solid 100% pickup drops
Cons:
- Very limited arsenal, no midkit, throughout
- Unclear button labeling, if labeled at all
- Easy to get both players stuck in the arena in a bad situation
- Bad looking map
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