trle.net ::: Level Reviews

Level:	GameSpy Headquarters
Author(s):	John F. Jones

total rating:	6.56	Gameplay & Puzzles	Enemies, Objects & Secrets	Atmosphere, Sound & Cameras	Lighting & Textures
	Anurag	8	7	5	6
	CC	6	5	8	8
	Dimpfelmoser	6	5	8	9
	eTux	5	7	8	9
	Gerty	6	5	8	6
	Kristina	6	5	6	6
	LaraFan	5	5	6	7
	Magnus	7	7	6	7
	MichaelP	6	5	7	9
	Orbit Dream	7	6	7	4
	RaiderGirl	7	6	7	8
	Sakusha	7	7	6	6
	Sash	5	5	6	6
	Treeble	6	7	7	7
	TrueRaider	6	7	7	6
	Yonatan	9	7	7	9
	category averages (16 reviews)	6.38	6.00	6.81	7.06

Reviewer's comments

"A good level, your aim is to escape the Gamespy headquarters during which you'll explode a helicopter and much more, a nice but less popular level." - Anurag (24-Jul-2005)

“Gamespy is a site devoted to video games. So I suppose that in this level the site somehow had trouble functioning (cf malfinctioning TVs that probably indicated the condition of the site) and it was taken over by SAS soldiers. Lara's objective is probably to liberate the site's headquarters. I don't suggest the player to follow the instructions in the author's readme but to read the one provided by tro-online (lisezmoi.txt) which I will translate. The player needs to rename gamespy_uklogo.pak to uklogo.pak (rename the original one to ouklogo.pak) copy it and paste it in the data folder. Then copy and paste the script files and the load.bmp (rename the original ones to oload.bmp oenglish.dat and oscript.dat) in the rle folder copy and paste city.CD city.tom and city.txt (rename the original ones ocity.tom ocity.cd and ocity.txt) convert city.tom with the level converter and run tomb4.exe. The instructions provided by TRO are far simpler than the ones in the author's readme and they will reduce the risk of having problems installing the level especially if you have the revised wads (at least the author wrote that the player should have installed REVISED_WADS0110.ZIP so that the level could work properly). Gameplay mainly consists of deactivating burning floors killing 7 SAS soldiers pulling levers and getting the motorcycle in order to go up the sliding slope and exit the level. I liked the burning floor traps because they had to be solved in two different ways (by shooting a gas canister at the beginning of the level. Then the player would need to jump over control panels and grab the monkeyswings so that Lara could deactivate the second burning floor and be able to open a door with her crowbar). The broken glass and the burning helicopter (you need to shoot another gas canister in order to get these effects. They will permit Lara to eventually end the level) were quite interesting and there were enough objects in order to survive in this level (one revolver one package of flares and one small medipack). The textures are well-placed and the darkness (even though I only needed to use one flare) give the perfect atmosphere to this level. However the textures lack a little bit of variety (otherwise I would've put a 7 in that category) even though it is a base level which tends to have bland textures unless the author makes a real effort in that department. By the way the load.bmp was quite stunning.” – Sakusha (27-Nov-2004)

”A base kind of level with SAS as the only enemies. You flip some jump switches and cause a couple of explosions. It’s a bit dark but with enough flares and ends with a bike ride up a slope. Easy enough and short about twenty minutes.” – Kristina (27-Aug-2003)

“Once upon a time there was a Level Builder who wanted to create an adventure (quite short in length) set inside a large rather technological building. His aim was to create a fast-paced adventure where Lara needs to kill several patrolling guards destroy a Helicopter and comandeer a motorbike in order to escape the premises. To this end he crafted a well-designed and built location (together with several short crawls through ventilation ducts a rather neat 'switching on some lights' effect and a well thought out explosion which destroys a set of vital glass windows) and filled it with some interesting physical tasks and puzzles. He did a very good job except for one thing. One detail which scuppered all of his hard work. He put in way too much darkness. So much darkness in fact that Orbit Dream (tired from a long night-shift at work) on completing the level chose not to give it a high mark for the category 'Lighting and Textures' but to ruthlessly penalise it instead. How sad and regretful the Level Builder was on seeing the disappointment his error of judgement had caused and he resolved never to build another level again. Well at least he would have; had Orbit Dream not in fact played the level well over two years after it had been made. By which time the Level Builder had forgotten all about it and quite probably couldn't give a toss any more.” – Orbit Dream (01-Jun-2003)

“This has got to be one of the most convincing base/office levels I've played and it's dark appropriately so as it's night time. The first three guards just ignored me then the fourth shot at me and the others came running to his assistance incredible. One guy started running AHA he's going to do something. I shot him so I never got to see what his aim was. Liked the idea of shooting the barrel to trip the electric field in one room. You get to look out of windows as you're passing at the helicopter in the courtyard so you know that's you're target. Two big moans here. One I only saw the helicopter through a slit in the wall when it exploded and I'd love to have seen all the glass shatter. Two the level was too short I'd love to have stayed around here longer.” – CC (06-May-2003)

“A dark and short and very dark level. Did I mention dark? Finding the revolver sight and crowbar is a must and not that hard. As for the firetrap I probably shot the guy before he could light it and wondered later why that monkey climb was in a room. Couldn’t go back to a saved game to check it out though. There are some SAS men to shoot but you know after a bit when they will be there. Shooting the helicopter is a bit obvious in my opinion but found the idea of the shattered windows a good one. A short and dark level but fun nevertheless. 18-01-2003” – Gerty (22-Jan-2003)

“A short dark but also a very fun to play level. If this had been longer and would remain as fun as it was it would surely be a very good level cause I don't have any other complaints - the texturing despite one missing texture is very good the cameras that show you places to go and the many neat effects (switching on the light at the start the helicopter that breaks the windows and the canister that turns of some sort of a machine for security). Highly recommended to play for 17 minutes of fun.” – eTux (07-Dec-2002)

“The author saved this level from being frustratingly annoying by supplying a big pack of flares right at the start. You WILL need these as this level is quite dark. I liked this level in the end nothing spectacular although the texturing was excellent making this place look realistically like a HQ. Blowing up the helicopter was VERY satisfying probably because of my sadistic nature. ;-)” – TrueRaider (18-Aug-2002)

“This is actually a nice level it’s just a shame it lasted only 20 minutes otherwise I would have rated it higher. Set in a 3 story building with a central helipad the player must after shooting some barrels to explode windows and defuse a trap find a motorbike and ride up a ramp to the end. Along the way there are a few SAS men to deal with but not many and one of them you must shoot quickly before he gets a chance to activate a firetrap. The setting is really well put together and I especially liked exploding the windows to get to the helipad but it maybe needed a few more cameras after throwing switches and the lighting was just a little too dim. In the end this is a short quick simple fun little level.” - Sash (21-Jun-2002)

“Again a short and not too tricky level from John which took me about 25 minutes to complete. Set in a building your task is to find the lasersight and revolver to blowup the helicopter then flip a switch to open the doors to the bike and escape. Only seven SAS to eliminate along the way but some cool effects spread throughout the level that make it worth the quick look.” – Michael (21-Jun-2002)

“Well this was a fun level! The use of TRC textures made this level looks like the VCI HQ levels and I love those levels. Lara has to raid and escape the Gamespy HQ. There were few SAS and they didn't hurt Lara until a point where all of them came together to hit Lara. Interesting flipmaps like turning on lights and a helicopter explosion that broke some windows giving Lara access to the central courtyard. It takes around 20 minutes.” - Treeble (21-Jun-2002)

“The Gamespy Headquaters uses the VCI texturing from Chronicles which I found really nice. It was used nicely in the level although each room is textured the same and I thought they were too dark for my taste. Good use of SAS enemies although the puzzles were quite the same (disarm mines pulling switches). Still they were very fun. One really bad point in the level is that after pulling a switch you cannot know which door you have opened. The author should have used cameras. Overall a fun level not too hard and visually impressive.” - Yonatan (21-Jun-2002)

“Lara seems to be trapped in GameSpy Headquarters and must find the revolver laser site and crowbar and then blow up a helicopter and escape on the motorcycle. I spent an enjoyable 20 minutes here exploring the area opening doors and shooting guards. I liked where you had to shoot a guard before he turned on a fire trap as well as the things that you shoot which will let you progress further. I would love to see this remade with more puzzles and less darkness.” – RaiderGirl (21-Jun-2002)

“I have to admit that I didn't think that this level would be fun but I was happily surprised since this was an enjoyable but short level. The enemies were well placed and the gameplay was fun although you had to do the same things over and over again. The texturing was good but the lightning was too dark. I liked the end it was different.” – Magnus (21-Jun-2002)

“You are in a building with two floors. A curious thing: The guards don’t attack you at first but will later. A nice idea was that the computers showed you some places there you should get to. The level ends with a -very short- motorbike ride. On the other hand you are often forced to go the same way back that you came from; that can get somewhat boring. There are no puzzles and linear play a level just about average.” – LaraFan (21-Jun-2002)

“Other Authors would have dragged out the story over 90 minutes and I really appreciate it that John resists the temptation to cram more guards corridors rooms and air ducts into his level so that for the 27 minutes it takes you to find the exit it is a very entertaining and eventful gameplay. I also loved the logic here; for once the cause and effect scenario of target shooting makes sense. Meaning that the exploding helicopter shatters the windows around the central court so you have access to the final lever. You get a beautifully designed base with the doomed helicopter right in the middle of the building you have to explore in order to get to the motorbike that is your ticket to get out of there. There are some climbs monkeyswings jumps and quite a few doors to open but thankfully the area is not big enough for you to get lost. I know it's not very challenging but I liked it all the same.” – Dimpfelmoser (21-Jun-2002)