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[Reviews] Brutal, but fair reviews (Over 15 maps reviewed!)


555 replies to this topic

Poll: What do you think of my reviews? (151 member(s) have cast votes)

What do you think of my harshness?

  1. Too tough, sheesh, give 'em a break (13 votes [8.61%])

    Percentage of vote: 8.61%

  2. Too weak. SMOTHER THE PUNY MAP MAKERS! (42 votes [27.81%])

    Percentage of vote: 27.81%

  3. Pretty good right now. (96 votes [63.58%])

    Percentage of vote: 63.58%

What about my length?

  1. Too long! I have things to do! (14 votes [9.27%])

    Percentage of vote: 9.27%

  2. Too short. Reading these should be an all day affair. (19 votes [12.58%])

    Percentage of vote: 12.58%

  3. Good length right now. (118 votes [78.15%])

    Percentage of vote: 78.15%

Do these help you decide which maps to play?

  1. Yeah! Before I play a map I check here! (37 votes [24.50%])

    Percentage of vote: 24.50%

  2. Ehh, I take your advice into account, but it is not law in my eyes. (61 votes [40.40%])

    Percentage of vote: 40.40%

  3. No I read these for entertainment. (31 votes [20.53%])

    Percentage of vote: 20.53%

  4. No, I disagree with you on almost every map you review. (1 votes [0.66%])

    Percentage of vote: 0.66%

  5. I HATE YOU! YOUR MOM! YOUR DOG! YOUR UNBORN CHILDREN! SCREW YOU! WHY DO YOU LIVE? HUH?!?!! (21 votes [13.91%])

    Percentage of vote: 13.91%

Vote Guests cannot vote

#1

Posted 06 August 2011 - 07:38 PM

Hello. As an avid map player and creator, I know the difference between good and bad maps. I know the difference between a 3.5 and 3.6 rating. I will be tough, I will be brutal, but I will not do so if your map is good. Too many "tough" reviewers simply make it impossible to score above a 4. Not me. If your map is good, I will rate it honestly and fairly with respect to the great maps. Submit your map and I will rate it honestly and fairly. But this is not a compliment fishing place, I will tear down any shred of self-respect your map has if it is not up to snuff. That's a promise.


*NEW*: As I am now part of The Redstone Torch team, (A minecraft newspaper), all maps submitted may be put on that newspaper in my segment. This applies to all maps already submitted, and all maps to come.




:Diamond: = 1 star
:GoldBar: = 0.5 star
:Iron: = 0.25 star

---Reviewed Maps---
Spoiler

---To-Do--- (in order)
Spoiler
--------ATTENTION--------
As regular readers know, I tragically have to turn down multiplayer maps.

So, I am looking for a partner. Now this is not an easy position, in fact I would be surprised if anyone fits the description.

-Must provide server
-Flexible Schedule
-Skype, (for chat, not actual voice)
-Preferably a map maker or fellow reviewer
-If your map is currently in queue I will not allow you to partner to make sure I'm not biased.
-If your map has already been played through,and you got ABOVE a 2-star rating, I would be happy to have you on board

If YOU, RANDOM VIEWER, think you have what it takes, then apply!

Application
Spoiler

Why I Don't Do Pure Parkour Maps



I accept nearly all maps that come my way, with two glaring exceptions. Co-op, (which I'm working on), and Parkour. I judge maps on execution, aesthetic, originality, and perhaps most importantly, the "WOW" feature. Be it Eronev's Dynamic NPCs, or Paradaox's Time-Travelling, there must be something that sticks out at you. Unfortunately, there is only so much you can do with parkour. You can jump across gaps and climb ladders. Perhaps excellent map-makers may find more stuff to put in, but that is just delaying the issue.

Parkour is very limited, and it just cannot be compared to other CTMs or Adventure maps. You can basically copy-paste parkour sections into different maps and no one would know the difference.

Most adventure maps have at least some parkour, (even mine do), but that cannot be stretched out into a whole map. It's like taking the cheese off of a burger and selling it as it's own sandwich.

TL;DR They are limited and boring.

Register or log in to remove.

#2

Posted 06 August 2011 - 07:47 PM

You can review my map! ;D Link in signature.

Posted Image


#3

Posted 06 August 2011 - 07:50 PM

View PostMunchable901, on 06 August 2011 - 07:47 PM, said:

You can review my map! ;D Link in signature.

I've heard of your map, on the to do list and will have the honor of the first map I review!

#4

    utenan

    Zombie Killer

  • Members
  • 237 posts

Posted 06 August 2011 - 07:57 PM

Perhaps mine could be second, always looking to improve : )
Through The Gate

#5

    Kmilley

    Diamond Miner

  • Members
  • 872 posts
  • Location: Earth
  • Minecraft: kmilley

Posted 06 August 2011 - 07:58 PM

Can you do mine?

Levi's Nightmare-

http://www.minecraft...71#entry6938071

Thanks!
Posted Image

#6

Posted 06 August 2011 - 08:01 PM

http://www.minecraft...ayer-co-op-map/ just what i need for my map! review it and tell me what you think. just to point out that's the first map i ever did!
Posted Image

#7

    Ad134

    Coal Miner

  • Members
  • 132 posts
  • Location: UK
  • Minecraft: Ad134

Posted 06 August 2011 - 08:02 PM

How about mine? (Link in sig)
Posted Image

#8

  • Location: Not sure
  • Minecraft: kingjaylin

Posted 06 August 2011 - 08:04 PM

Do mine the link is below in the signature
Posted Image

#9

Posted 06 August 2011 - 08:18 PM

Please do ours! need an HONEST review :)

http://www.minecraft...rld-of-zombies/
Posted Image

#10

Posted 06 August 2011 - 08:29 PM

All above maps added to to-do list.

Just finished Diamond comet, will write up review.

#11

Posted 06 August 2011 - 08:32 PM

View PostTheOneWithNoLife, on 06 August 2011 - 08:01 PM, said:

http://www.minecraft...ayer-co-op-map/ just what i need for my map! review it and tell me what you think. just to point out that's the first map i ever did!

Maybe if I ever get a partner, but for now no multi player maps. Sorry.

#12

Posted 06 August 2011 - 08:55 PM

Destroy the Diamond Comet by Munchable901
Adventure

:Diamond: :Diamond: :GoldBar:

Where to begin. I have heard a great deal about this map, and I believe another very tough reviewer listed it as one of his favorites.

You are a scientist who apparently is the only one who can or will stop a diamond comet from crashing into earth and killing everyone. Apparently many rich people believe this comet will somehow spare them and they will harvest the diamond and become even richer.

Let me just say that plot is as flimsy as dog's tail on it's way to be euthanized. But that is not what matters.

This is first and foremost very incorrectly labeled. This is a Puzzle map or at best a hybrid. There is nothing wrong with a puzzle map, I enjoy them very much, but this is not an adventure map. Having a story does not make it an adventure map like how having to collect wool does not make it a CTM.

Most of the puzzles are unique (with a few exceptions) but at the cost of being uninteresting. The trapdoor parkour was just boring, and the trapdoor run was just annoying. The whole "numbers" schtick was quite the bugger. I noticed the sign, but didn't realize they would be floor patterns, so imagine my frustration when I went back through the map just to find the numbers. While this is likely more my fault then mine, this is a perfect example of a tedious difficult puzzle, instead of an EXCITING difficult puzzle.

I found no errors in Spelling or Grammar, and the general structure was appealing.

Redstone work was very good, there were instances where I saw wire, (a big no-no), but it didn't really detract from the experience. I did not like your exhibition of your redstone work through glass after some challenges. I get that you are proud of it and maybe we could learn about redstone a little, but that was honestly just annoying. It detracted form the experience AND I couldn't learn about redstone because I couldn't go up and examine it. I would have walled it up.

The minecart idea, while not original (I independently came up with it myself as well), is appreciated and definitely helped the overall spirit of the map.

The parkour was fine, nothing too exciting and it felt a little out of place, but it was nice.

The water challenge was SO ANNOYING. It nearly ruined the map it was so annoying. Maybe its just me, but I would AXE THAT.

The end was a flimsy one story-wise, but then again so was the whole thing, But if there is one truth in this world, its that the best way to end an adventure map is with TNT.

Overall, this is a short, fun map that is worth a play. It is a good map, nothing more, nothing less. Looking forward to the sequel.

#13

Posted 06 August 2011 - 09:08 PM

View PostSynthion, on 06 August 2011 - 08:55 PM, said:

Destroy the Diamond Comet by Munchable901
Adventure

:Diamond: :Diamond: :GoldBar:

Where to begin. I have heard a great deal about this map, and I believe another very tough reviewer listed it as one of his favorites.

You are a scientist who apparently is the only one who can or will stop a diamond comet from crashing into earth and killing everyone. Apparently many rich people believe this comet will somehow spare them and they will harvest the diamond and become even richer.

Let me just say that plot is as flimsy as dog's tail on it's way to be euthanized. But that is not what matters.

This is first and foremost very incorrectly labeled. This is a Puzzle map or at best a hybrid. There is nothing wrong with a puzzle map, I enjoy them very much, but this is not an adventure map. Having a story does not make it an adventure map like how having to collect wool does not make it a CTM.

Most of the puzzles are unique (with a few exceptions) but at the cost of being uninteresting. The trapdoor parkour was just boring, and the trapdoor run was just annoying. The whole "numbers" schtick was quite the bugger. I noticed the sign, but didn't realize they would be floor patterns, so imagine my frustration when I went back through the map just to find the numbers. While this is likely more my fault then mine, this is a perfect example of a tedious difficult puzzle, instead of an EXCITING difficult puzzle.

I found no errors in Spelling or Grammar, and the general structure was appealing.

Redstone work was very good, there were instances where I saw wire, (a big no-no), but it didn't really detract from the experience. I did not like your exhibition of your redstone work through glass after some challenges. I get that you are proud of it and maybe we could learn about redstone a little, but that was honestly just annoying. It detracted form the experience AND I couldn't learn about redstone because I couldn't go up and examine it. I would have walled it up.

The minecart idea, while not original (I independently came up with it myself as well), is appreciated and definitely helped the overall spirit of the map.

The parkour was fine, nothing too exciting and it felt a little out of place, but it was nice.

The water challenge was SO ANNOYING. It nearly ruined the map it was so annoying. Maybe its just me, but I would AXE THAT.

The end was a flimsy one story-wise, but then again so was the whole thing, But if there is one truth in this world, its that the best way to end an adventure map is with TNT.

Overall, this is a short, fun map that is worth a play. It is a good map, nothing more, nothing less. Looking forward to the sequel.

Thanks for the review! Yes the story is a bit flimsy, I'm not the best at storytelling, (practically failed at it at school). Anyways, I thank you for taking your time reviewing my map! I'm taking in your points and hopefully make the sequel better.

Posted Image


#14

    mask99

    Gold Miner

  • Members
  • 380 posts

Posted 06 August 2011 - 09:31 PM

A Coconut Friend!

I worked on it for hours!!! I just want a simple review.
Bleh

#15

Posted 06 August 2011 - 09:38 PM

View Postmask99, on 06 August 2011 - 09:31 PM, said:

A Coconut Friend!

I worked on it for hours!!! I just want a simple review.

Added to the to do list.


ALso, "finished" the gate will write, "a review"

#16

Posted 06 August 2011 - 10:23 PM

Through The Gate by Utenan
Adventure

No rating

I will not rate this one because either this map is completely broken or I messed up big time. I followed the path read the signs with a cliche opening and eventually saw the gate. However the path lead me elsewhere, more specific, a dock with boats that i took down the river where I got off at another dock and found a ruined tower with a bed and stairs leading upwards. I took these stairs and ladders and found a ruined roof. Nothing else. I looked around and saw a staute with a man and a sword and an entrance, so I went off the trail to enter, it was nothing but a view. I said screw it and went back to the gate and broke my way through. There was a large elaborate pathway with oblivion on all edges. I followed and in many places the bridge was broken, I saw some pressure pads but could not reach them so I spawned in some dirt with TMI and built my way across. I found an absolutely enormous and beautiful castle that I entered with strange fixtures and a single sign. R.I.P. Gate Builders. On some of the tombs(?) I found some levers I pulled every one and they did nothing. Except for 1 which just slid a piston in an extremely uninteresting and inconsequential way.

At this point I looked around some more and saw some stuff in the distance but no way to get anywhere. I gave up. I quit and deleted the map.

The structures were simply breathtaking, but the map sucked. (or maybe I just ballsed it up)

#17

  • Location: The Nether
  • Minecraft: Piplup10

Posted 06 August 2011 - 10:29 PM

Do mine!
Its a survival map called zombie forest.
Click my sig.
Posted Image

#18

    Jep3

    Gold Miner

  • Members
  • 425 posts

Posted 06 August 2011 - 10:31 PM

You could try my CTM map(s). You can get to them by pressing my sig :D

(also put the reviews(not the score of the map) in spoilers in the OP so it doesnt take enourmous amounts of space :D)
Posted Image
"SphereCraft #4: The Corrupted Sky" is now out and its A lot better than the previous ones :) Press the pictures to get to the thread :D

#19

Posted 06 August 2011 - 10:47 PM

View PostJep3, on 06 August 2011 - 10:31 PM, said:

You could try my CTM map(s). You can get to them by pressing my sig :D

(also put the reviews(not the score of the map) in spoilers in the OP so it doesnt take enourmous amounts of space :D)

Ahh! Spherecraft creator! I'd be happy to review one of your maps! Which one?

And That is a good idea!

Also, zombie forest is added to to-do list as well.

#20

Posted 07 August 2011 - 01:27 AM

So right now, Levi's Nightmare is on Deck to be reviewed, and the rest of the line-up is in the OP. I will not give priority to any maps, but I do 4-5 a week so you'll move up the line quickly.