Ramp2024 Reviews, part XIII
Here's Ramp2024 and here's an index of all the reviews so far..
Hellroelectric by Veethis
While I appreciate the ambition, and the under-"water" segments are certainly better than most, I did not appreciate two sequential "you have to kill everything in here" fights in the same room. Then when I ran into another later I really was just put out. The level is a nice idea but it isn't an arena level of this kind. 3 stars.
Hell's Kitchen Sink by Nuckiko
A few cool setpieces enliven this series of arenas, though the overall impression is a bit incoherent. 2.5 stars.
Li'l Devil's Improvized Level 01 by Li'l Devil
A nice little set of challenges that end up being a complete pleasure to battle, skirt and skate through. Just a treat. A bit of polish on the back half (after obtaining the key) could make it a classic. Also I'm not sure the BFG is necessary here. Getting the archviles out of the huge swarm of imps is a really cool puzzle. 4.5 stars.
Little Tiny 256X256 Hell by Kinatuk (Previously SuyaSSS)
An interesting concept but ultimately fails to rise above the RNG, especially in the last few moments. There is something there, though...some potential in the puzzle aspects of the very small confines. 2.5 stars.
Lost in Darkness by Yousuf Anik
Incredibly polished and good-looking level, everything just comes together really nicely on an aesthetic basis. I just can't beat the fucking thing! Am I getting old? Did unc fall off? I just can't do it. 3 stars.
Nature's Gambit by Thundergod
A frankly gorgeous map, perfectly themed and polished to perfection. Terrific use of the "early monsters" and weapons for a great pistol start experience. The re-opening of physical monster closets instead of teleporting new enemies in is also excellent. Honestly I can't think of a way to improve this exceptional experience. 5 stars.
Operation K.I.S.S. by LizardCommando
A nice little level with some fun-looking constructions (vending machines! the end escape!) and some fights that you have to figure ways to avoid rather than fight. I'd love to see some more done with lighting; a lot of promise here. 2.5 stars.
On our left Fireblue by Darmalus
A good map, very solid throughout. I'm not sure some of the areas really quite technically work - the monsters couldn't fight me "on or off" the train tracks, which made dealing with them very easy. I also am not sure the end fight with the giant hell nobles really works; it seems a bit RNG with the weapons you can expect to have then. Still, for a first map it's terrific. 3.5 stars.
How Demonic by Leonard Daniels
Cmon man. 2 stars.
M Castle by Zetagaming
A solid start, with an awkward amount of too-much-ammo, ends up in one of the longest set of linear corridors I've ever played through. It really is too much, by the end you just want it to be over. If the post-teleporter section was half as long it would still be a bit too long. 2.5 stars.
Not My First Map by Kserks96
"I'll say!" I love the use of the slow doors, the really nicely tucked away monsters, the big arenas that you traverse up and back. It really all hangs together well and has just enough pressure to keep it interesting without ever really running too short on resources. The one exception is the kill-everything trigger in the cityscape room. I just kept wandering around looking for buttons and stuff, ignoring an imp that I found harmless. Other than that it's amazing. 4 stars.
Portal Peril by Priestess of Spiders
What a charming set of maps, with big goofy swings, some great timing, fun little tricks, and at least one laugh out loud moment. Honestly I just loved running all the way through it, exploring around and seeing new ways to deal with the prior problems. Just a real pleasure. 5 stars.
Phobos Facility by Nights108
Uhh...I guess that's it? 2 stars.
Pictomancy by JediM8
Cute! I'm not sure I should review this, as it seems to be more of a mechanical demo than anything else. DNR.
Phobase Wack by Numsoic
An unusual use of space - a bit bigger than you would normally think for this mix of monsters, which gives it a unique feel. 3.5 stars.
Outpost Zero by Spacegrass
Wow, an absolutely incredible-looking level, new mechanics, almost a total conversion. I had a blast from start to finish. 5 stars.