/-/S'pht-Translator-Active/-/


Re: Volunteers: Waterloo Waterpark
Posted By: SidohDate: 10/7/01 1:54 p.m.

In Response To: Volunteers: Waterloo Waterpark (Mark Levin)

: Wow, this looks so totally... different. New HUD, new textures, new sky, new
: bobs, new fighters. You have two fists now! The Bobs talk, and teleport!
: You can hear the wind! One slightly major difference I can think of
: between this level and the version in the preview is that the level used
: to take place during the day. Perhaps this change was made so that Bungie
: could remove the night landscape from the preview and thus decrease its
: size. Although it was still a shock back then to discover that the preview
: was somewhat larger than Marathon 1 itself. Down the corridor is another
: of the major differences between Marathon versions: The new terminals have
: formatted text and pictures! Very interesting possibilities here...

The only thing missing is the music... =(

: The level is linear but nicely connected, with two major areas and paths
: through the level. It makes good use of Marathon 2's new abilities; in
: general Marathon 2's maps are far more complex and detailed than M1's; of
: course this is only to be expected in a sequel and they still usually
: don't approach the sheer scale of Marathon Infinity or later third-party
: efforts. In fact, I was somewhat disappointed that so little of M2 was
: spent on spaceships in general. We don't even see the Marathon ever again!

Spaceships are fun, very very fun. I enjoyed all of the Pfhor levels (except Requim For A Cyborg...). Too bad we're stuck on a rock in space. =(

: Moving on into the second outdoor area, we are introduced to even more of
: Marathon 2's surprises: Teleporting monsters and ammo. Can't scope out
: rooms before you enter them any more, something could jump out at any
: time. The Bobs are much more useful than before, but that's not saying
: much, especially if you are playing on TC :P Double back to the second
: chip insertion point to save and recharge, also take a peek at the
: terminal, which features a screenshot of a texture that does not appear in
: M2 (but might have been in the preview, I don't remember).

Bobs are made to die now. JOY!

: This level has a good supply of optional areas (rather like Arrival, but
: unlike Ne Cede Malis). Off the outdoor area is a pair of large rooms
: containing the M-75, some dancing lights, and the main entrance to the
: secret area. This room is also the destination of a small path that led
: from the water-trough room earlier in the level (which also had a second
: entrance to the secret, behind one of the central walls). Definitely pick
: up the M-75 even if you're in a hurry, it makes your job much easier on
: the next few levels.

The M-75 can also be used to reach some secret areas via grenade climb (I've gotten to that ledge in the first big room from the shadow room). Very useful.

: The big secret on this level is quite a treat. It gives you, among other
: things: A peek at the (retextured) water tank visible in the terminal
: earlier and which plays a part in one of the Windows version's secrets,
: the almighty WSTE-M Combat Shotgun and a lot more ammo for it than you
: think (try walking past the alcove where it's found several times), a ton
: of Fighters to kill, and a large watery room that shows off Marathon 2's
: liquid abilities and gives you several routes back to the beginning of the
: level. All in all a nice start to the game.

=D M2 can use >256 polys which makes for very nice environments (the largest of which is Ex Cathedra at 417 polys).

[ | Message Index | Read Prev Msg | Read Next Msg ]
Pre-2004 Posts

Replies:

Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkMark Levin 10/7/01 9:49 a.m.
     Re: Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkHamish Sinclair 10/7/01 11:28 a.m.
           Re: Volunteers: Waterloo Waterpark[Tycho?] 10/7/01 3:10 p.m.
                 Re: Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkHamish Sinclair 10/7/01 10:29 p.m.
     Re: Volunteers: Waterloo Waterpark[Tycho?] 10/7/01 11:49 a.m.
           Re: Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkJohn Sumner 10/7/01 1:27 p.m.
                 Re: Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkHamish Sinclair 10/7/01 11:38 p.m.
                       Re: Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkGrasshopper 10/8/01 10:11 a.m.
                             Re: Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkJohn Sumner 10/8/01 10:25 a.m.
                                   Re: Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkClaude Errera 10/9/01 8:29 a.m.
                                         Re: Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkJohn Sumner 10/9/01 9:54 a.m.
                                               Re: Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkClaude Errera 10/9/01 6:32 p.m.
                             Re: Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkHamish Sinclair 10/9/01 12:24 p.m.
                                   Re: Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkGrasshopper 10/9/01 1:05 p.m.
                                   Re: Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkLeDZ on toast 10/9/01 2:06 p.m.
                                         Re: Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkMark Levin 10/9/01 3:12 p.m.
                                               Re: Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkHamish Sinclair 10/9/01 10:20 p.m.
                       Re: Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkSpeaker-To-Animals 10/14/01 8:21 p.m.
     Re: Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkSidoh 10/7/01 1:54 p.m.
           Re: Volunteers: Waterloo WaterparkMark Levin 10/7/01 4:42 p.m.



Problems? Suggestions? Comments? Email maintainer@bungie.org

Marathon's Story Forum is maintained with WebBBS 5.12.