22nd of January 2024

Boxes and Doors 2 | Single | Author: Daniel Skladany | Download

The Review: Boxes and Doors (included in the download link above) was a fresh surprise a couple of years back, leaving at least yours truly wanting more. Now the sequel is finally here. Boxes and Doors 2 follows so closely in the footsteps of its predecessor that it feels more like an extension of the first map (which it of course is); as such it also doesn't feel quite as fresh. Still, the map is top-notch work all-around, making great use of the game's textures (the author seems to have an appreciation for white and grey hues) and adding in a few new textures that fit right in with the game's stock material. Some are of the type we saw plenty in Redneck Rampage whereby they serve to give the impression of baked lighting - and the results are subtle but quite effective. As the map seems to take place inside an asteroid, you've got plenty of caves ahead of you. The mixing of green liquid, natural terrain and alien infestation textures is another area where the author excels with results that are very pleasing to the eye. The hi-tech segments look fantastic as well (if very much like in the first part) with flawless texturing, strong lighting and what feels like strict adherence to the grid, if that makes sense. You've also got a whole bunch of what appear to be really neat convex doors that are actually "just" swinging doors.
The map has a moderate amount of enemies with balance just about right. You won't come across any Enforcers (and if you're like me you won't be missing them either), as the map relies mostly on Troopers, Sentries and Octabrains. You've got quit a bit of leeway with respect to navigation: From the start you get to choose between an underground cavern and a hi-tech section. In fact, the whole hi-tech section is strictly speaking unnecessary, but it's not terribly obvious that it is so, and skipping it requires a bit of tricky jumping (but not too tricky to make it seem like an unintentional "skip"). (4th February note: The author updated the map and deleted the skip.) One thing that felt a bit artificial is how an invisible trigger has to be stepped on in order to reach the final area, but if you explore the map normally you're unlikely to miss it (it feels like it's either the first or the last place you'll visit).

Rating: 94