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GMD Verdict  

Review of gxcinema
"Riddled with vents and shades of neon"
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Map Name   gxcinema (gxcinema.bsp)
Map Author   cx_gx
Download   gxcinema.zip (1.1mb)
 
Reviewer   Echon
Reviewed on   Thu Jun 10 19:50:02 2004

Have you ever been to a movie theatre? cX_Gx has, apparently, not. In this review we will take you to hell and back again, showing the less famous 'cX_Gx map', with plenty of screenshots to aid the visually impaired. The map starts you out (almost coincidentally and preemptively) pointing you towards the bathrooms:
start_thumb

Let's back up a little and let you get a look at the room you start out in. This is actually a very vital gameplay junction. Very tiny and full of holes leading to just about everywhere. Two entries lead in, one leads out to the human base, and there is a vent in each of the bathrooms. I'd not suggest this map for more than 8 players, because it would indefinetly become crowded with just a couple people walking in a room at any given time.
startview_thumb

As we venture to the human base (what was the top left entry on the last screenshot) we head into a cinema, where the map got it's oh so creative name. People are settling down on their wooden box, munching on their popcorn and sipping from their soda, while admiring a complex movie, in which a breeder moves side to side!
cinemaview_thumb

You likely noticed the vent holes in the previous screenshot. Well, as many people know, vents are usually annoying and almost godly when used right. For some reason, there's a lot of them in this map. So here's a diagram of the basic layout of the viewed vents:
ventview_thumb

As you can see, the vents lead everywhere inside such a little area, making this a unique place to attempt to defend. Let's turn around and head back into the human base now. I must warn you to prepare your eyes for vibrant shades of neon puke:
humanbase_thumb

The greens and yellows really hurt the eyes, I do not know if the Quake2 Palette © is to blame, but it sure is horrible. Crazily enough, he even has a ledge! Never do you see such a vain attempt at making a base defendable. Now let's pull back out, and take a look at the general layout, to give you a better grasp on "where things go". You'll notice that we managed to cover such a large area of the map in such little time. That's because this map is freakishly tiny. Also pay attention to the alien base, as I don't really plan to touch base on it much. It's a large L-shaped "base" which is rather overly-lit for an alien base. The good thing he did was put supports that you can build in above, the entire length of the base. This base is also riddled with vent holes though, on top of the two entries, making it difficult to defend.
layout_thumb

Let's jump right into the middle of the map, where all of the action will be. As you will notice, he was very creative with his texturing. The sidewalks are about 3 normal sidewalks wide, there's a two-lane street that leads to two walls, and there are highly hilarious movie names on the sign. Traffic is directed by a tiny toons street post, even though there is no intersection.
streets_thumb

Here's another couple views of the streets, from each side:
streetside1_thumbstreetside2_thumb

Now to conclude, try to put a little more effort into a map before you release it. If you can't make a texture with more than three shades of green and yellow, then don't make a texture. Making small maps is fine, but riddling them with vents and insecurities will just make for very one-sided 6 minute long games.


User comments:
suxcinema - Sgt. Pain
Yes the map sucks - a lot, but o snap.. harsh review. - Cataclaw
nothing is too harsh when relating to CX_FGT - mushroomface
needs more verbal dismemberment and expletives! shots are amusing - saig
I enjoy ham - Echon
I like the idea of a cinema map, but this map needs some work. Or maybe some... - Jazz [more]
I don't intend to grab this map, the review was good and i enjoyed it quit... - Ranger [more]
Good review, his crimes against mapeditors should be dealt with. - Nunca
I like the back row, plenty of space for a blowjob. - JimAM
i concur jimAM. - xenoid
i bet echon wishes he could burn this map down like he burnt those 2 ... - xenoidagain [more]
It's fun playing this map again while Echon isn't the ruler of gloom. I... - Somebody [more]
This map is a piece of nigger shit - Tobiash

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Comment on this review:

Average rating for gxcinema: 4.7/10

Rate-O-Map™

Total: 20 ratings
 
Textures

Comment: A shame you can't go into the negatives. The neon green/yellow really accent the whole concept of throwing up.

Layout

Comment: 2 Rooms, 2 Bases, 1 main area

Creativity
Cube Cube

Comment: You don't see a cinema map everyday

Overall
Cube

Comment: Could use sex appeal
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