🚀 go-pugleaf

Fidcal wrote:
> 
> On Wed, 28 Aug 2002 22:20:29 -0400, Max <Third...@Large.net>
> wrote:  <SNIP>
> > (2) - Cathedral Of The Damned
> >   I would easily award this one a 10 of 'Maxi' 10 - but to
> > be perfectly fair and honest to both the player and builder
> > this one is OFF the charts ->! - If you haven't seen this one
> > yet then do your self a favour and DL NOW - and then feel free
> > to come back here and argue the points mentioned above (Good
> > LUCK) !;]
> 
> This sounded too good to be true - so I tried it! It's pretty
> good, works well, and is well worth playing but I think your
> rating is a bit OTT! ;)
.........................


         You caught me !8] - In a bit of an exageration I confess. But
         that's why I didn't give it an actual rating - I wanted people
         to play it and see for themselves - More on just WHY I did so
         is elaborated on below.

......................................................................
>
>    Considering the high standards in
> many FMs I'd give it a well-deserved 85 out of 100. To put that
> in perspective, I reckon the best FMs I've played are Calendra's
> Legacy at maybe 95 out of 100 for EACH of the first two
> missions, and A Keeper of the Prophecies, Part 1, Hallucinations
> at maybe 93. Hard to compare roses and tulips as CL1 is probably
> the most beautiful graphically whereas Hallucinations I consider
> the best for spoken dramatic scenes and voice acting and at
> least very close with CL2 in respect of story unfolding within
> the mission (rather than an intro text file)
..............................................

             Yes, - The high standards are a bit of a problem.
             That's why I mentioned that it would be too easy
             to detract because of some 'missing elements' rather
             than acknowledge the finnished completeness of the
             creation as it is.

             The original Thief and Thief2 managed to convey a
             rich story line - but did so over the period of the
             whole game. - There are many FM's out there now that
             do so within just one (or a few) missions.

             COTD - taken as is - stands equal to any of the original
             Thief missions - and in some ways above most all the
             originals. - What impressed me the most are two strong
             factors that are brilliantly evident - The first is that
             structurally - it gives the player everything any player
             could wish for in exploration, and it's completeness is
             further amplified by the use of the exterior vantage points
             made accessable.

              The other factor that is less immediately apparant. - Take
             a look around - can you find anything - even in the slightest
             degree - lacking in any way? - In nearly every map I've ever
             seen - including the originals - there is nearly always some
             area where I say the following: "Gee, it sure would've been
             nice if.." - "Hmmm.. that just doesn't look right" - "Odd
             choice of texture.." - "Man, these stairs are rediculasly
             narrow/steep" Or - "I'm in total shadow but my visibility
             indicator is WHITE!" - Or - " What the heck is THAT doing
             there??" - If you look carefully all around the map you
             won't find a hair out of place - and the attention to de-
             tail is astounding - in every corner - from the bits of
             shreaded tapastry - to the remains of broken wodden struc-
             tural elements - to the cracked an buckled pasages - this
             map is thoroughly complete in every minute facet - in light-
             ing - structurally - proportionally - textutally, deccora-
             tively right down to the last stone.

              Now, I refrain from making inequitable comparisons, and for
             that reason avoid the easy and obvious detractions that would
             otherwise color a fair impression of the experience. - If I
             were to compare the attention to detail in this map to any
             other I've ever seen - this one does far exceed the others.

              COTD is by far the most complete in detail and therefore the
             most convincingly 'realistic' environment - plus, it plays
             very well - without a single low point in play, and not a
             single 'hair out of place' - Because of these finished and
             finely tuned aspects it does exceed in overall quality above
             others. - It's certainly not the ultimate FM, but it stands
             out as a shining example when compared to any of the originals.
             However, I DO confess - "Off the charts" was my way of avoiding
             giving it a rating ;] and an attempt to amplify it's excep-
             tional quality so that others would make a point of seeing it
             for themselves.

              Thanks for calling me out on this one, and being generous
             enough to express your views - VERY much apprecisted Brian !8]
             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Best Wishes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


-Praise The Builder

-Third Keeper
-(At Large)

                                                             - Max -
.  .....................(whups.. There's more!).....................
>                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
> Anyway, the other main reason I'm posting is to ask, did you or
> anyone, complete this on expert? If so, any tips as to loot? I
> had well over the required 1000 but could only find 100 out of
> 200 gems. It might be a single item I guess. Do you recall any
> particularly hard to spot gem?
> --
> Brian
> [email brian AT fidcal.com]
.............................


                 No, I haven't tired this on expert yet. I find that
                 many builders cut it too close for comfort and that
                 many players play through on easy the first time. I
                 play all maps on easy to be able to give an adaquate
                 summation - but I do miss alot depending on the design.
                 Shining Standards for example has fantastic secrets
                 that are only available in expert mode. - But, as just
                 a strong example; I'm only 78 loot away from finishing
                 and I've combed the place thoroughly many times over
                 trying to find it. - I play on easy for reviews - then
                 on harder difficulty levels when I have more time.
                 ~~~~~ Thanks again Bri <-> Best Wishes (again) ;] ~~~~~


-P T B
-etc.
                                                                 - Max -
.  .....................................................................