Response to the UnrealSP Zora's episode 1 by Mr.Prophet

[Leo(T.C.K.)]

I am recording video showing how to complete the map, I am using cheats but I am showing a proper way to complete it, no ghosting etc.
The carts are not broken, you must follow the instructions in the translator message found in one of the tunnels, that is when it goes down, step forward and when up step down and try to stay in middle normally.

I know all of these maps and played them without cheats on coop or SP, also these items that seem to be impossible to get are not impossible they are just tricky (I used asmd boost to get one in the video, but it is actually not required in that spot, there is another trick). The maps were designed in mind for the super skilled players, in fact thanks to these maps I was a better player and why I am good in solving general amount of maps.

Alaos in Musica, the tubes are not broken either, you just need to look down when going through them at first and then when flying through air look straight or just dodge through.

And also one more thing, if you are planning to play the later episodes (btw they are linked together but they come from episode 4 to Episode 1), then better don't play them, because you will be even more frustrated than here.

Zora called these maps n00b barriers. I played them on her server since 2004 and was one of the few people who could actually get through all of them and learn quickly.

EDIT: Video's here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5lpDdY05vQ

 

[Mister_Prophet]

The Mine Cart map is broken because the mover hurts and kills the player when it shouldn't. Because the whole sequence is badly optimized. Because of all the reasons I listed and tested for the review. There are messages that try to help within the map (and as with other fourth-wall breaking "hint" logs in later episodes, it's probably better to ignore them because they don't account for circumstances of bad technical construction, seeming more like they were added because of these issues). There's no way to get around the fact that the Mine Cart sequence is a mess of bugs. That was the point of the critique in that section.

As for the difficulty in regards to the maps I've played in the series thus far, I wouldn't say they are difficult in the traditional sense...just time consuming. I stated in my Episode 2 review (an installment that was shorter, but much better optimized) that the main point of criticism in Zora's levels is that questionable quality control is a factor that comes up very often. For comparison's sake, I flew through the 2nd Episode rather quickly on Unreal difficulty (the main stay of game time spent on the 2nd level, as I don't count intros as playable maps) and even though Episode 3 was longer...got through that one without too many hiccups either (although I've noticed the gameplay is not as technically sound as in Episode 2). So for me, the challenge of the Zora maps as I see them is not the intended ingame difficulty...but when instances creep up where I'm fighting the level mechanics to work properly.

Why'd you post this here anyway, of all places? So I'd see it? A PM might have sufficed. We are looking to get second opinion reviews at USP. Do you still have access to the forums there?

EDIT:

Zora called these maps n00b barriers.

She did? Well I dunno if I agree with that. I haven't run into a situation that was overbearingly challenging. In fact, when it works...and when I'm not snagged by a bug or shortsighted level design...I was going through them all at a good pace. I've played harder packs for sure, although to Zora's credit...in those other cases the challenge was strictly combat related, whereas her maps tend to be populated with agility tests.

I am recording video showing how to complete the map, I am using cheats but I am showing a proper way to complete it, no ghosting etc.

Sorry, but using cheats? That really invalidates your video then. After watching it, I can see that you ran into the same bugs I did...but with God Mode on you don't take damage from the mover encroach issue, which basically kills you in seconds if you touch the cart the wrong way (which is very easy to do). How exactly does this make for a proper rebuttal to the points made in my review? You're using cheats to get through the mine cart ride ! Don't take this the wrong way Leo, I like hearing an alternate opinion...especially if there is a chance that I'm wrong. But all your video tells me is that my review is completely vindicated.

I did find the hut though, with the weapons. I do recall other sections containing inventory as well that seemed out of reach, but I didn't make a real point of their accessibility in the review since Zora's maps seem to be very oversupplied with inventory in general (and in regards to the mine cart map, getting the extra loot isn't necessary to complete the pack).

 

[Leo(T.C.K.)]

I posted it here so others can see it as well, the video for example. I used cheats solely beacuse of showcase reason and to not make video too long.
As I said I completed the map even without cheats but it's been some time. I got hurt few times by cart but it was rather rare and by accident and you can see in the video that I got in the cart without being hurt at least twice in the video. You just need to rush very fast to get in and then stay in center and step forward or backwards depending how the cart goes.

I don't have acess to UnrealSP and I don't visit it that much anyway, I also missed your episode 2 review, I am gonna read it now anyway.

But yes I agree that it is kinda broken, but it is made to be like challenge in that way, I guess Zora didn't work on the truck further and decided to put that message warning about what you should do while inside the truck.

My point was, the map can be completed, while you said you didn't find exit yet.
As for the n00b barrier, I think the second map of episode 3 was a noob barrier, you should see players at coop playing it, they mess up the mirrors constantly and don't get the proper sequence.

 

[Mister_Prophet]

As for the n00b barrier, I think the second map of episode 3 was a noob barrier, you should see players at coop playing it, they mess up the mirrors constantly and don't get the proper sequence.

The one with the transducer, right? Yeah I'm in the process of reviewing Episode 3 for the site myself, and that sequence was probably the most irksome (but manageable, as long as you have patience). I think the worst part about that bit was that the panels had some more of the encroach damage blues and maybe the sequence was not as responsive as it could have been, but I found it doable with some effort. I actually found the part after that with the revolving doors more clever.

 

[Leo(T.C.K.)]

The one with the transducer, right? Yeah I'm in the process of reviewing Episode 3 for the site myself, and that sequence was probably the most irksome (but manageable, as long as you have patience). I think the worst part about that bit was that the panels had some more of the encroach damage blues and maybe the sequence was not as responsive as it could have been, but I found it doable with some effort. I actually found the part after that with the revolving doors more clever.

Yeah that was it.
But really, Zora's map doesn't have a real storyline aside the explanations in the readme of episode 4 or something.
She admitted she is not good at storytelling anyway. She stopped mapping after Episode 4 beacuse of these reasons, or I think beacuse it took her so much time, so she went rather at coding stuff like Nephthys.

 

[Leo(T.C.K.)]

I have finally got time to read the two last reviews. There is a way how to get to the final area at map 3 without jumpboots, if it would be jumpboot dependable it wouldn't be playable at coop unless with fixed gametype which allows for items respawns, or modified item which respawns in multiplayer regardless of the gametype ifshouldrespawn.

Did you notice the towers in that building? Well you have to quickly do lift jumps on ech of them until you hit the ceiling, which is actually a button, if you hit them all a carpet opens, you should quickly dive in, block it and then use your movement to jump from the opened carpet straight to the fountain.

Btw I didn't notice any human NPC, if you don't mean that carcass without an arm, but I hardly take that as human NPC. Redeem your space has some breathing humans at least in that regard.

 

[Mister_Prophet]

Did you notice the towers in that building? Well you have to quickly do lift jumps on ech of them until you hit the ceiling, which is actually a button, if you hit them all a carpet opens, you should quickly dive in, block it and then use your movement to jump from the opened carpet straight to the fountain.

Yes, I noticed the towers. After I wrote the review I replayed all the Episodes starting with four and had a nice little "duh" moment with the tower lifts (I thought about it later, after I reached the generator and saw how the buttons matched the ceilings in the towers). I guess I didn't think that they were buttons. Anyhoo, the jumpboots worked fine enough...although I can see that being a COOP issue. Perhaps I'll make an amendment to the review.

Btw I didn't notice any human NPC, if you don't mean that carcass without an arm, but I hardly take that as human NPC. Redeem your space has some breathing humans at least in that regard.

Yes, I'm talking about the one-armed female. Yes, it is a pretty crude example of an NPC, but fact the that she "speaks" was enough to label her such. I did point out that it was a relatively low caliber attempt compared to what other packs have done.