Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2

The Facility
Nicky Grimes 14 May, 2023 @ 4:37pm
Nicky Grimes's Review of The Facility: Lots of Space
Likes
- It's one of the very few Halo-inspired maps on the workshop for this game. I certainly feel inspired to make one after this.

- Spacious, easy to navigate through without bot's help.

- Instructions on understanding what the ATK/ACT buttons are for are very easy to understand.
- Some players (especially beginners) will not find this complex. That is a great point because some detailed campaigns don't have the best space nor ability for players to maneuver when surrounded by zombies.

- Great for more than 4 players. I used the 8 Players Survivor Mod to add all survivor bots.

Needed Improvements and Suggestions
[- The lighting is good. In some areas, it's very bright for the players. The sharp contrast from light to dark can hurt the eyes. A good reason to learn what env_cubemaps are for (3kliksphilip has a very great tutorial about this).

- Endless hordes. It was difficult for me and my partner to tell when the hordes end, or what exactly triggers them. Perhaps this was similar to the Flood in the original game?

- Lack of items at certain checkpoints of the level. When transitioning to a different stage of the level, it was difficult for us to heal as there weren't enough medkits for everyone until you reached a stronghold. The stronghold seemed to be the only points in the level where you can restock.

- We didn't equip the game instructor for this, so this could be something to look into the next time we replay this level.

Conclusion
The team did a great job here, and it's evident that this is not their first time making custom maps. The button mechanics were very easy to use, and wasn't difficult for players who had less playtime and understanding of Hammer than veterans.

My biggest gripe would be the lack of items throughout the level, the rescue rooms are very hard to reach, and custom textures are missing. The lack of custom textures and open space without lots of rewarding supplies can make the map feel repetitive.
Last edited by Nicky Grimes; 14 May, 2023 @ 4:39pm