Sandbox Vindication

[rbenhase]

(See more screenshots below)

Map Title: Vindication
Beta Version 0.12
For 2-8 Players

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Description:
Many good times have been had on such classic Halo maps as Guardian, Lockout (Blackout), and Ascension. Inspired by these maps, I set out to create a similar experience with its own original twist. This Beta Version is your first look into what I am working on.

Notice that I said this is a Beta. This means that the map is not technically finished; I am still testing it and plan on revising it many times before the completed project is released. However, I want this map to be as much of a collaborative, community-inspired work as it is my own brainchild. Therefore, I release this early version to you, the community, to test and offer feedback on. I take your comments, criticisms, and suggestions very seriously.

Here's what you will like about Vindication:
Gameplay is fast and intense, much like in Lockout and Guardian. There seems to be a balance between tight corners and open spaces, with some long corridors that make excellent lines of sight for the BR. Power weapons are placed so that they are slightly more difficult to obtain than other weapons and are balanced out by other weapons to prevent excessive camping. There are many good hiding places but you will find plenty of action.

The signature piece in this map, again just as in Lockout and Guardian, is its one main gravity lift on the map; however, unlike these other maps, Vindication's gravity lift (actually made from man-cannons) is located in the center of the map. This means several things. First, almost any area of the map can be reached within seconds by using this main lift, which launches you fairly high above the map floor. Second, while you are far less susceptible to grenades when you use this lift, you open yourself up to the risk of Sniper, Battle Rifle, and Carbine fire as you are launched into the air. Therefore, while the main lift can be a useful mode of transportation, be careful not to let it be the death of you. And, as you're letting it launch you, be sure to take a look down. There's a hand coming out of the ground around the lift, reaching up, as if for...well, vindication!

Other significant areas of the map include a Sniper tower, opposite a base where you'll find an open room with red lighting and a couple ways to get to the roof. There is also a rocket spawn between the two main sides of the map, but it is off to the side, sort of forming a triangle with the Sniper tower and the red base.

Screenshots:


Overview from one side


View from the opposite site.


Top view, looking into the main grav lift, with the hand reach up out of the ground.


View from the Sniper Tower.


The Rocket spawn.


The Sword spawn, behind the Red Base.


Being launched by the main lift.


Shooting a rocket through the Slit Wall.


Sneaking under the bridge to pick up some plasma grenades.


So... what do you think?


The full weapon list:
1 Sniper Rifle
1 Assault Rifle
8 Battle Rifles
2 Spikers
1 Magnum
1 Plasma Pistol
1 Needler
1 Rocket Launcher
1 Energy Sword
2 Maulers
2 Brute Shots
2 Carbines
3 Plasma Rifles
1 SMG

All weapons are on 30 second respawn, except the Sniper, Rockets, and Sword, which are all 60.

Equipment:
2 Sticky Grenades
1 Firebomb Grenade
1 Bubble Shield
1 Flare
2 Gravity Lifts

PLEASE download the map and let me know what you think. I will take your suggestions into serious consideration as I work on future versions of the map. Also, note that the map only supports Slayer Gametypes as of now, as it is a Beta.

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[Physx]

This map looks really good, the centerpiece with the crooked obelisks is very good for aesthetics. The red room and the rocket spawn look neat, but the sniper tower just doesn't appeal to me that much. Probably because I hated Ascension. :P Anyways, in my opinion the weapon spawning should be changed, sniper and rockets seem a little too powerful to be spawning at 60 seconds. Good map, 4.5/5.

[GR4V3mind117]

Oh wow! i saw the first pic and i was instantly taken in by the hand, i love hands. basic, yet so hard to do justice i like that you melded several maps into one like you did. the weapons are nice and i like skybubble maps and i just love this map dude! you rock! 5/5

[rbenhase]

Thanks. I'd like to test it out a bit more and see how the 60 second respawn rate works with the overall gameplay... you may be right, but I am hoping that the location of the power weapons (as well as the many counter-weapons to balance them out) makes it difficult to hold on to power weapons and dominate the entire game. You'd have to be pretty good with the sniper and have teammates watching your back if you're going to control the tower. Maybe changing the sniper spawn to the base of the tower would help this.

How would you feel about lowering the sniper tower and making it into a bit smaller platform, more like the one in Lockout? Less Ascension-esque?

[ZOMBIECOW11]

I like this map as far as aesthetics go and such. But it looks like there is a general lack of cover in the area of the hand. This may or may not be a problem. I will need to test it first. But I am just letting you know what my immediate reaction was. As far as aesthetics - 4.5 - the hand could have been more developed and there could have been more individualized architecture.

[suffocation49]

You should add some rails around the edges.. On the maps you are basing this on have rails, but you still fall :D another reason for rails would to make the "outskirts" more appealing and as interesting as the center. And the frigin HAND I am jealous by the skilz

[rbenhase]

suffocation, you're right. Some of the outer walkways are a bit sloppy. I was planning on smoothing them up and adding rails in future versions, but for this one, I didn't have the time (or the available objects) to do so.

[pyro6666]

Ya this really is good like blackout, but you might think of adding some railings. Although people think they are just to keep noobs like me from walking off the edge, they actually give a nice height advantage which is especially important for a beatdown. The hand in the center is nice and gives the unique cover that really helps a map, but it makes the entire map look boring in comparison. If you made similar interlocked pieces around the map this could really become a great map on par with guardian.

[rbenhase]

I am already working on the next version, which should include more railings and overall smarter walkways. I ran into the OLN in this version, but I've improved efficiency so that I should no longer be an issue.