Sven Co-op Map Reviews

       The main feature of Coldburn is that it is so cold it burns and players will take environmental damage in certain areas. I didn't think this mechanic would be fun but the author definitely put a lot of thought into it and made it work really well. SCMapDB page Author: Keen Date of release: 2014 Maps in package: 1 Map review of Coldburn (originally posted on SCMapDB) by dunkelschwamm | August 14, 2023 | 3315 characters      Coldburn is a total conversion style walkthrough map for Sven Co-op. Players are tasked with plunging the depths of a base atop a Neptunian moon, plunging ever deeper into hostile environments as their HEV is the only temporary barrier keeping players from rapidly deteriorating under cold and radiation threat. To make matters worse, bizarre monsters stalk the players through the facility.      First thing you'll notice about the map is that it nails the environment and atmosphere. Lighting is moody, the fog is effective, and the sprites of little cloud

      The main feature of Coldburn is that it is so cold it burns and players will take environmental damage in certain areas. I didn't think this mechanic would be fun but the author definitely put a lot of thought into it and made it work really well. SCMapDB page Author: Keen Date of release: 2014 Maps in package: 1 Map review of Coldburn (originally posted on SCMapDB) by GrandmasterJ | August 14, 2023 | 3187 characters      The screenshots for this map look very intriguing, and the name is mysterious too. A big part of the map is taking damage from extremely cold temperatures and I thought I would hate that mechanic but I thought it was well implemented. It's kind of like Mario games when he's underwater and eats coins to regain oxygen. Although I can't imagine more than two players having a good time on this map with the limited supply or air coins.      We start off in a room where we have to uncover the start button. There is also a secret here so that is pretty

    Agog means to be very eager to hear or see something. Be agog for this map as it has interesting visuals, puzzles, combat, and some very impressive sequences. Mind the eye strain. SCmapDB page Author: RNG Date of release: 2009 Maps in package: 1 Map review of Psychic Agog (originally posted on SCMapDB)  by dunkelschwamm | January 22, 2023 | 3527 characters      Psychic Agog is a seemingly "beta" map release by RNG. It's been in this state going on 14 years now, so I think it's probably safe to presume RNG's interests have moved on and we can take a look on what this beta release stands to say on its own now.      The map is an action walkthrough with the slightest, slightest hint of a puzzle element. Players traverse a surreal (but not THAT surreal by RNG standards) illusion world which exists as some sort of experiment. Players traverse the initial stage by exploring an open area and solving tiny contextual puzzles in the environment before entering a new

    Agog means to be very eager to hear or see something. Be agog for this map as it has interesting visuals, puzzles, combat, and some very impressive sequences. Mind the eye strain. SCmapDB page Author: RNG Date of release: 2009 Maps in package: 1 Map review of Psychic Agog (originally posted on SCMapDB) by GrandmasterJ | January 22, 2023 | 3584 characters     This map is just a beta and is unfortunately never going to be 'finished', however it is still playable and is fairly polished as well. The first half has some trippy scenery followed by some space zombie fighting with cube gathering.      The map starts us out in a big black and white grid field with some basic but evocative geometry. large cubes dot the area along with some floating and gyrating cubes above, some interesting towers and some buildings with obvious purpose. This is a puzzle, an escape room of sorts and it is pretty fun. Each time we solved a piece of it there would be something happening, this map uses

       Neptune Labs is a map set in space orbiting Neptune, not under the ocean as the blue tint may imply. The map is unfinished and abandoned but has been updated to end properly and give the full walkthrough map experience, even if it is somewhat short. SCMapDB page Author: Keen Date of final release: 2007 Maps in package: 1 Map review of Neptune Labs (originally posted on SCMapDB) by dunkelschwamm | April 15, 2022 | 3602 characters      Neptune Labs is a medium-length walkthrough map by prolific mapper Keen. It showcases a lot of creativity, a decent amount of ingenuity, and an overall enjoyable experience.      The most striking and charming aspect of the map is its art style. Details are brushed in very interesting and uncommon ways, and the textures are made with this semi-abstract cartoony style that's hard to explain but really evokes a certain atmosphere. It passively oozes personality up the wazoo, in technical terms. The brushwork for the outside of the Neptune lap is a

      Neptune Labs is a map set in space orbiting Neptune, not under the ocean as the blue tint may imply. The map is unfinished and abandoned but has been updated to end properly and give the full walkthrough map experience, even if it is somewhat short. SCMapDB page Author: Keen Date of final release: 2007 Maps in package: 1 Map review of Neptune Labs (originally posted on SCMapDB) by GrandmasterJ | April 15, 2022 | 4445 characters      According to the notes in the map description this map is unfinished. It definitely feels unfinished, there are so many minor details that have been overlooked it feels like a really well done amateur map. There are so many Black Mesa themed maps that having a map set in space in orbit over Neptune is novel and the custom textures, level design, story bits delivered every now and then really helped sell the setting.      We started out in a small craft heading towards the space station. At first, due to the double meaning of Neptune, we thought the ma

       Aerodock has an interesting visual aesthetic, relying heavily on Xen textures. The map is supposedly set in space, in some sort of aerodock, but the inclusion of mundane furniture and features muddies the concept. To the best of my knowledge there is no Aerodock 2. SCMapDB page Author: tsy_4 Date of final release: 2005 Maps in package: 1 Map review of Aerodock 1 (originally posted on SCMapDB) by dunkelschwamm | February 19, 2022 | 3526 characters      Aerodock-1 is a walkthrough map with plenty of backtracking, fun combat segments, and garish visuals. Set in some kind of space cargo barge, Aerodock-1 sees players battling all kinds of aliens and humans alike as they unlock parts of the ship using keycards and destructible shield generators. Players spawn with the handgun, the 357, and the MP5. Over the course of the map, their arsenal grows proportional to their progress, even including the barnacle.      The map starts on the wrong foot out the gate, with robogrunts swarming sp

      Aerodock has an interesting visual aesthetic, relying heavily on Xen textures. The map is supposedly set in space, in some sort of aerodock, but the inclusion of mundane furniture and features muddies the concept. To the best of my knowledge there is no Aerodock 2. SCMapDB page Author: tsy_4 Date of final release: 2005 Maps in package: 1 Map review of Aerodock 1 (originally posted on SCMapDB) by GrandmasterJ | February 19, 2022 | 4389 characters      The screenshots for this map looked very intriguing and I started this map with high hopes. The map was decent, it had good combat, decent supply, and some very confusing visuals that blended together.      Players spawn in what appears to be a hangar of some sort. I started this map knowing it was supposed to be some sort of aero dock which is the only reason I thought that room was supposed to be a hangar. The level geometry is simple and strange. Most rooms have one texture for walls, floor, and ceiling, making them look flat. The

       Borg Cube is a Star Trek themed map taking place inside a Borg spaceship, the famous Cube. The map uses a whole slew of new textures and models to recreate the ship and even gives players a phaser. SCMapDB page Author: Agamemnon Date of final release: 2007 Maps in package: 2 Map review of Borg Cube (originally posted on SCMapDB) by dunkelschwamm | December 30, 2021 | 4230 characters      Borg Cube is a two-map walkthrough set fraught with action, adventure, traps, and switch puzzles. It plays fast and loose with the themes in fun and silly ways, letting you know right off the bat with the presence of xenomorphs that this map does not take the lore seriously.      That's not to say Borg Cube isn't made with care, though. Each environment is crafted into a unique feel unlike what is typical of Half-Life mods. I love the outdoor environments and techno-nonsense throughout. It's a feast for the eyes most of the time, when you aren't just scouring mazes of industrial

      Borg Cube is a Star Trek themed map taking place inside a Borg spaceship, the famous Cube. The map uses a whole slew of new textures and models to recreate the ship and even gives players a phaser. SCMapDB page Author: Agamemnon Date of final release: 2007 Maps in package: 2 Map review of Borg Cube (originally posted on SCMapDB) by GrandmasterJ | December 30, 2021 | 2863 characters      Borg Cube is a very fun map with custom models and sounds that really bring to life the Star Trek setting.      Most of the combat is tight quarters with Borg crammed in. Some Borg run, lots of them have ranged attacks, a few are slow and easy to kill, others run in and murder the player. This map is really aimed for more than two players, two at minimum are required but the enemy density and strength are best dealt with more.      The weapon of choice here is mainly the gauss cannon, if you can land continuous headshots on the Borg they go down pretty quick. The Mp5 is fairly useless when you get

       USS Darkstar is not a Star Trek themed map, let me get that out of the way now. It is an original setting with a massive space ship filled with a bunch of biological specimens that closely resembles a zoo. SCMapDB page Original mod authors: Neil Manke Conversion authors: Lymphoid first and later Lossy Date of original mod release: 1999 Date of final Sven Map release: 2017 Maps in package: 18 Map review of USS Darkstar (originally posted on SCMapDB)  by dunkelschwamm | December 29, 2021 | 4044 characters      USS Darkstar is a classic Half-Life mod made by Neil Manke and Black Widow Games, famous for the They Hunger horror conversion. Instead of pulpy horror cliches, USS Darkstar harps on sci-fi tropes, while forging a very unique identity of its own. At times it reminds me a bit of System Shock, at other times it reminds me a bit of Star Trek: TNG.      This conversion to Sven Co-op is brilliantly executed. Balancing is in proper check, everything works correctly (aside from occ

      USS Darkstar is not a Star Trek themed map, let me get that out of the way now. It is an original setting with a massive space ship filled with a bunch of biological specimens that closely resembles a zoo. SCMapDB page Original mod authors: Neil Manke Conversion authors: Lymphoid first and later Lossy Date of original mod release: 1999 Date of final Sven Map release: 2017 Maps in package: 18 Map review of USS Darkstar (originally posted on SCMapDB)  by GrandmasterJ | December 29, 2021 | 3259 characters      This map is one of the oldest maps on scmapdb that are not official releases. It's actually a conversion of a single player mod from way back when that I never played. It's got a lot of maps in the campaign but the first section is a lot of nice scenery, practically showing off the areas you will be fighting in later. I don't think you even see enemies or weapons until map 5 (out of around 16). The last map itself is just a cutscene and credits.      I loved the en

       Space Viking 2 is the classic sequel to the classic map Space Viking 1. While the first map takes place in space a majority of the time this one takes us to a space port, filled with scum and villainy. SCMapDB page Author: Salamander Date of final release: 2006 Maps in package: 1 Map review of Space Viking 2 (originally posted on SCMapDB)  by dunkelschwamm | December 12, 2021 | 7549 characters      Space Viking 2 is a very adequate, I would even say great, sequel to Space Viking 1 which takes the idea of the original map in new and interesting directions. By exploring a new planet, new and interesting areas of the original ship, and introducing setpieces which wow the player to extremes to which the original had not, Space Viking 2 really forges an identity for itself apart from its predecessor.      I'll get to the many ways in which I think this map is an extraordinary accomplishment in Sven Co-op, or even Goldsrc in general, mapping- but first I'd like to express a fe

      Space Viking 2 is the classic sequel to the classic map Space Viking 1. While the first map takes place in space a majority of the time this one takes us to a space port, filled with scum and villainy. SCMapDB page Author: Salamander Date of final release: 2006 Maps in package: 1 Map review of Space Viking 2 (originally posted on SCMapDB)  by GrandmasterJ | December 12, 2021 | 7132 characters      Space Viking 2 captures the same great look and feel of the first map, only slightly less well. I had an absolute blast playing this map.      The map starts off similarly to the first one, walking out of the spawn (no weapon this time except a crowbar on the floor) to the bridge and witnessing a scene that sets up the map. This time our tentacled host teleports over to a spaceport in order to talk trade before getting kidnapped and the ship is boarded.      The opening fight is hard with crowbars only and with just one person could get frustrating. Thankfully it doesn't last long b

       The Space Viking is a space ship sailing through the stars and piloted by Mr. Friendly. Players must protect the ship from invaders and eventually track down the culprits to extract what was stolen. SCMapDB page Author: Salamander Date of final release: 2001 Maps in package: 1 Map review of Space Viking 1 (originally posted on SCMapDB)  by dunkelschwamm | December 12, 2021 | 4824 characters      Space Viking is a classic Sven Co-op walkthrough map full of action, fun sci-fi environments, some very memorable set pieces, creative appropriation of base Half-Life resources, and an original story. Take on the role of guarding the Space Viking spaceship as it is attacked by alien pirates seeking the precious cargo.      One thing that stands out about Space Viking to me is its resemblance to a series like Marathon or Halo, with the player beginning in a spaceship and then forcing back an alien invading force throughout the ship, culminating in chasing their attacking force back to the

      The Space Viking is a space ship sailing through the stars and piloted by Mr. Friendly. Players must protect the ship from invaders and eventually track down the culprits to extract what was stolen. SCMapDB page Author: Salamander Date of final release: 2001 Maps in package: 1 Map review of Space Viking 1 (originally posted on SCMapDB)  by GrandmasterJ | December 16, 2021 | 2368 characters      Space Viking was a pleasure to play and is probably one of the best maps for Sven Co-op ever made.      The game takes place on a spaceship, the Space Viking, and exposition is given to the players by a holographic Mr. Friendly model. There is a large view screen where the player can see a nicely done warp-speed effect. As soon as I stepped out of the spawn room I had my pants charmed off. I don't expect story in my Sven maps other than some paragraph in the MotD, so it stands out even more when it is done during play and it was done really, really well.      The ship is then boarded b

      Swars is a map about some sort of war set somewhere in space. We have these soldiers in white armor that from the above picture we know are called Stroopers. They should make a movie or two out of this map. SCMapDB page Author: Dr.Strangelove Date of release: 2003 Maps in package: 3 Map review of Swars Installation (originally posted on SCMapDB) by dunkelschwamm | November 27, 2021 | 2119 characters      When I think of what I'd like from a Star Wars themed map, I think this is a great proof-of-concept of that: A powerful laser weapon, fighting Storm Troopers in large, brutalist imperial architecture. Throughout, these maps demonstrate some very interesting Star Wars themed brushwork and effects. The models, textures, and sounds are also very evocative of the classic Star Wars aesthetic. On top of all of that, the map is not too long so it doesn't overstay its welcome.      The levels mostly consist of gunfights with the Storm Troopers (X-Shocktroopers) using a blaster (G

    Swars is a map about some sort of war set somewhere in space. We have these soldiers in white armor that from the above picture we know are called Stroopers. They should make a movie or two out of this map. SCMapDB page Author: Dr.Strangelove Date of release: 2003 Maps in package: 3 Map review of Swars Installation (originally posted on SCMapDB) by GrandmasterJ | November 28, 2021 | 2075 characters     I really want to like this map series, it looks amazing but has many technical issues that bogged down my experience.     Every map looks great. The architecture is really nice looking and looks just like an Imperial installation, there were some parts where I could believe I was in/on the Death Star. The enemies are reskinned to be stormtrooper and the gauss cannon was a blaster. It felt like Star Wars Dark Forces.     But what bogged the game down was a questionable choice to include a maze in the first level, that did not start the game off on the right foot. Then I got trapped in