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Re: Tempus Irae Volunteers - Sordidae, Turpes Et F
Posted By: Mark LevinDate: 11/29/03 9:37 a.m.

In Response To: Tempus Irae Volunteers - Sordidae, Turpes Et Fa... (Gholsbane)

: Sordidae, Turpes Et Faetidae - Literally means Filthy, Foul and Fetid and is
: presumably a reference to the state of Milan in the 15th century. However,
: the description given in the map making notes doesn't really match the
: state of the level. The map consists of six large quads and a central
: building which houses the manuscript and a terminal. The entrance to the
: secret level Beyond the Black is also found here. Several switches must be
: activated to reach the treatise and some are pretty tricky to find.
: There's a single pattern buffer in a central corridor and various
: canisters to enjoy.

This level doesn't use the "magic unlock" trick, but it still abuses the "this door merits further attention" sound. Switches tend to be very far from the doors they control, and I was forced to re-explore much of the level. This was also the first level I died on; an Enforcer fried me as I was bouncing down the stairs with too little health.

This level also marks the introduction of TI's only new monster (not counting something on the very last level that we'll get to in due course :P). The upgraded Juggernauts look quite impressive, but they're not terribly different from the normal ones. It's not necessary to kill any of them yet, just move quickly while near those long windows.

Aside from the problems with the puzzles, I rather liked the layout of this level. The courtyards and the corridors connecting them make sense, and the large arenas are fun to fight in. The hidden staircase is a really clever trick, and one that I had never seen before; you have to be very observant to spot it without checking the map, and horizontal discontinuities in the texture are not something one tends to look for in Marathon maps.

Another thing to notice on the map is how some aspects of the mapmaking have been outmoded by later developments. In particular, there are several places where a series of textures placed on a wall (like the glows behind hanging lanterns) leave artifacts on the map view where multiple polygons were used. This is avoided with the Battlecat's split-poly technique, but that wasn't known at the time.

: Beyond the Black

: This level is effectively a glorified netmap with added
: things-that-go-bumb-in-the-dark. Anyone found any deep meaning to it's
: black simplicity? And is there an explanation for why we're treated to
: seemingly-infinite 2x cans? Can you die on this level?

Yes, if you get pinned down and can't reach a 2x canister fast enough :P

You can minimize the danger by tabbing all 4 sides of the central column as you enter (unless you remember which side the door is in, and I didn't), then run around collecting ammo while shielded and enter the door as soon as possible. I hit my inventory limit quickly (playing on Normal, so I don't have infinite capacity) and high-tailed it out of there with minimal damage.

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Replies:

Tempus Irae Volunteers - Sordidae, Turpes Et Fa...Gholsbane 11/29/03 7:51 a.m.
     Re: Tempus Irae Volunteers - Sordidae, Turpes Et FMark Levin 11/29/03 9:37 a.m.
           Re: Tempus Irae Volunteers - Sordidae, Turpes Et FMark Levin 11/29/03 9:47 a.m.
           Re: Tempus Irae Volunteers - Sordidae, Turpes Et FGholsbane 11/29/03 10:20 a.m.
                 Re: Tempus Irae Volunteers - Sordidae, Turpes Et FTodd 11/29/03 2:41 p.m.
           Re: Tempus Irae Volunteers - Sordidae, Turpes Et FSteve Levinson 11/29/03 2:47 p.m.
     Re: Tempus Irae Volunteers - Sordidae, Turpes Et FSteve Levinson 11/29/03 2:18 p.m.
           Re: Tempus Irae Volunteers - Sordidae, Turpes Et FD-M.A. 11/29/03 10:31 p.m.
           Re: Tempus Irae Volunteers - Sordidae, Turpes Et FGholsbane 11/30/03 1:59 a.m.



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