Asw is an action game at its base. So puzzle maps feel if not disposable but kind of, yes they can be fun, but replayability is not really high. Also on high difficulties marines die 2-5 hits, add here high aliens speed, darkness and map length. So u have enough factors to make people ragequit. And yes low difficulties are near boring. They are more about to check map's environment n stuff than to play for real.

So when u play action, and busy enough with shooting around u dont that care about graphics n visuals. When u play casual like that huge beginning without aliens u immideatelly see these lmao textures from 1990. So yes textures should be significantly reworked. However even with this i do like outside environment lighting n geometry(these yellow rocks area).

So ideas around
-split map into 2 maps
-add way more aliens
-rework textures, increase detalisation
-cut inbase(red corridors) no aliens beginning.
-too much of dark boring plain red coloring (yes im sorry for words against this visual style but yellow beginning or even ending is way better). do not forget to provide good enough alien vision even in darkness othwerwise players will play with mat_hdr_level 0 that is near similar to mat_fullbright 1.
-other polising n minor bug fixes (like stucked aliens etc)

I do like some ideas n some geometry, colonists ghosts were cool, room area above from where u see this yellow beinning, end hangar is nice however needs polishing n can be turned into some multi level fight with additional work, more minor stuff.

I would very, very, very much like to see that! I am enjoying the missions so far, and more like this would be very welcome. I personally would sub, and my friends as well.

Puzzles are fine, but a bit more explanatory than the reactor might be a good idea.

Discount my comment on the reactor, I got it now.

Also, if you intend on using the crab alien as a recurring antagonist, may I suggest you use the red model of it? It's a bit more intimidating :P

And I would definitely love to see more modders make maps with even just a bit of story in them. I like that kind of stuff :P