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Review:
Raptor is one of those good, solid CTF maps that comes around every-so-often.. the kind that you don't mind playing at your meets, and the kind that let you work on your game, whatever it may be.
The terrain in this map allows for so many different roles. Defender, farmer, sniper, ranger, cloaker.. it's suited well to all. The server-side aspect means that Lagg-Alot spent a while looking for the "right" pieces, and this is one place that such looking shines in all the right places. (Except one minor detail: under the water, the terrain isn't smoothed out, as one would expect if this were a client side map)
The bases are from one of Akira's maps (I believe: don't hold me to that), and are simple enough (yet roomy enough) to permit some semblance of base-lurking, but routing the enemy is a fairly simple task, provided you're decent enough to know how to handle a plasma-rifle.
The flag is the toughest part of this map. Set in the wide open field, there's little that even farmers can do to stop someone coming in at Mach 3, propelled by a Shrike.. with proper coordination (ie: a ride waiting behind the base) a cap is almost impossible to defend against without expert players running guard duty.
The center objective holds the map's only land vehicles, and will most likely be a sought-after asset in any battle. Bombers could be deadly, so dedicated Shrikers will be required. One of the minor "down-sides" (truly, there are none, but this is one of the lesser points) are the two HAPC flyers at the docks. They look impressive, to be sure, and they respawn.. but an enemy Shrike can sit back behind your base and just continue to blow them up over and over again.
The teams' small islands serve to sort of confine them, in a way, while causing the defense to "bring it home" to attack. This manages to make this CTF map play sort of like a Siege cross, with your team's defensive units "bunkering down", and readying against the wave that's sure to come, sooner or later.. then a repulsion, a frantic repair and reset of defenses, and another attack. In my opinion, this is a good way to play.
Playability is good, as long as you have a decent pilot to ship you to and fro on the map: going on foot is a pain, and near-impossible. Attention to Detail is good as well; the few organics placed on this map don't stand out as being "in the way", but rather serve as a refreshing rest for the eye from the terrain. Balance is given to advanced-level attackers. If you know what you're doing with a Shrike, you can lay waste to the entire base, nearly, if no one opposes you. Heavy-D is landlocked, so they aren't able to chase down the flag at any time. Item Placement is good as well; turrets are placed so they have a view of the flag, yet a good capper will be able to avoid their fire. Mechanics, ie: the center objective and general "play" of the flag turns out well. A bit more reliance is placed on vehicles than I usually like personally, but overall, it's good.
Raptor turns out to be a map that I enjoyed quite a bit. Since I am in no way proficient with a vehicle, I stayed home on the flag, and so didn't get much action near the middle. Shrike pilots should have fun, and if a Bomber ever gets in, then rest your soul, or it'll be rested for you. Capping can happen quick if you aren't careful, so a fast-to-set-up defense is a must. And as a final note.. there's nothing quite like setting up a forward deployable base underwater, near the enemy, where no one would think to look..
Good job on a nice map well executed, Lagg-Alot!
To see the rest of the map details, including the map author's
description of the map, and user-submitted comments, go to the
map detail page.
To see all reviews from DrPimento, go to DrPimento's bio page.
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