ONS-CBP2-Valarna
Title: Valarna
Author: Frank 'Noz' Bakker
Game: Onslaught
Volume: 1
Node Setup: Click Here
Two factions, crashed in the mountains of Na Pali like many before. The few Nali here quickly abandoned the Valarna plains before the grasslands would turn into a battle field.
hal: This map automatically gains points with me for highlighting the Nali theme. Little Nali villages, a Nali crucifix, and even working Nali Healing Fruits help complete the theme. The smoldering transport wreckage beside each node helps support the story described in the map’s description. My biggest complaint about this map is the closeness of the nodes. Each power core is surrounded by nodes, including one just above and over the hill behind the base (on which also sits a target painter). Fortunately two energy turrets are positioned well enough to fend off the Raptor that spawns there. There is an included linear node setup that plays much better than the default setup in my opinion. Surrounding the base with nodes only means that it will be that much harder for a pinned down team to make a "come-back".
RaptoR: Fans of the original Unreal will love this one. ONS-CBP2-Valarna drops you back on Na Pali, the setting for the first Unreal game, this time taking advantage of UT2004’s technology to create Onslaught action on a massive scale. This is the first thing that will hit you about this map - it’s huge! However, careful placement of rocks and foliage prevent this map from turning into a sniper’s paradise. Given its size, you’d be forgiven for expecting periods of excruciating boredom moving from node to node. Thankfully, though, Valarna provides sufficient vehicles to get your team mobile, and careful use of node-hopping will ensure that you get into the action in the fastest possible time.
Zenny: This map showcases some neat effects that you can create using UnrealEd. However, it seems a little overdone and at times really amateurish. The gameplay in the map is some of the best I've experienced in an Onslaught map, but some of the oddities in the terrain really take away from it. The map shows signs of greatness, and I cannot wait to see more from the author. He really knows how to lay out a map.
Raffi_B: Boy, did this one bring back memories. This map, from the creator of CTF-Avali, is a perfect combination between the distinct Unreal feel and the new UT2004 gameplay. Visually, the map is very well-built, with custom meshwork and texturing all around. However, the general shape of the map is a cause for concern. In my opinion, the map is far too open for there to be a good, solid game. Target Painter campers and snipers will have a field day taking out the nodes from across the map. Also, the openness of the map causes a huge hit in performance. Overall, the node layout is very unique and gives a great chance for the losing team to recover.