The Results
Okay, first of all, the DOM contest gave me 7 entries, which means 7 [actually 8 because PT32 made two] new DOMs to our collection. Sadly, many more people said they would like to have entered but sadly they couldn’t because of their own reasons. Now, I would like to say, that everyone did a great job, and if you did not make it to the top 3, please remember that it took me a while to make this list; it was very difficult knocking some of them out because I really had difficulty in ranking them. I wish I could make it a top 7 without seeming rude, but it seems too derogatory to those who are below, so I guess I won’t. So here it is, in my sincere opinion, these are the best 3 levels which seemed the most impressive to me, and the other 4 are the ones that didn’t make it, and they will be recited in alphabetical order. Here you go! And again, thanks for entering/showing interest.
P.S. Just so you know, the “reviews” I’m writing here are not pointing out negative aspects.
1ST PLACE Pearl Shell Shores by Quickz
Whaha. This is the winner of the contest. For a range of reasons, it’s the one that appealed to me as the true winner of this little competition. It differed from the other DOMs the most, and differed from anything made out of that tile-set too as a matter of fact. I thought it was brilliant, and I’m sure you’ll agree.
EYECANDY was truly great, as it didn’t overuse the grass (like I often do) and had some very interesting themes you just couldn’t get your hands on. To me, it looks like the side of an island, where you can see the nearby lake in the background, traces of water in front of you, with a mountain range in the background, at what seems to be a very sunny day. The terrain is probably what makes this level appeal to me so much. You seem to be in a multitude of sandy platforms while somehow in some very tattered caves. There are a few rocks on this beach and due to the extreme h eat, there is condensation occurring with water dripping off the edges of the platforms.
GAMEPLAY was something different. While you appear to all start on the right hand side of the map, but you can luckily spawn on the left too. On the right, you have your only power up in the level, and two carrots, while on the left, are the two CPs and the other side, with another carrot in between. This moderates the need to be on either the left hand side to have more points, or to be on the right hand side and to need the powerup, for more power against the other players when attacking or defending the CPs. Well, it’s clear to me the creator really thought about how he would structure this level and how it would play.
PLACEMENT was probably the best aspect of this level. I loved how everything was so nicely spread, and yet, it’s so convenient to go from place to place in this level. Every single part of the level has brilliant or sufficient placement, including the control points, the ammo, the powerup, the carrots and even the water. This is probably what amazes me about the level most, as well as how well it will play. It’s truly a stroke of brilliance.
Great job and congratulations for winning.
2ND PLACE Lost Onyx by CrimiClown
The image shown above is a pathetic representation of the level and barely shows the true beauty of the level. The level is truly scintillating in all aspects, and the author clearly took a big risk when choosing to make a water level, often very unpopular. This level however, completely sets aside the fact that water is harder to play in and makes a brilliant Domination.
EYECANDY is something this level has a lot of. The theme reminds me of some sort of treasure hunt, like in the movie Atlantis (if anyone knows it). The level establishes itself as an underwater brawl over the control points, while the single area of interest above the water is the easiest control point to access. The level’s theme is probably one of the best I have seen with this set, and if not, the best, and it truly looks amazing – something I have never seen before.
GAMEPLAY , expected to be bad in this level by me. Mostly because of the water, I had the impression that this level wouldn’t be good, but the gameplay dazzled me and proved me wrong. While you can easily go for the most accessible CP, the one at the top, it won’t be very helpful to you if the other team has occupied the two underwater CPs and have taken control of the water, where they’ll have easy access to the carrots, CPs, and seeker PU, while there is only some slight access to the others at the top. I think this level plays brilliantly.
PLACEMENT was one of the other great aspects of this level. I really like how it all works, but I feel the level really needs more ammo. In DOM, you tend to shoot your ammo a lot, but mind you, it still plays well with little ammo as you have to make constant trips away from the CPs to gather ammo, making it just a bit more competitive. I love it. The guns are all great, I only wish there were TNTs.
=)
3RD PLACE Alien Heart by FawFuL - No DL link.
The level itself plays nicely in some ways and has some very interesting gameplay as well as eyecandy aspects inside it. I really like it, and with a few minor changes, it probably would have been even better. It looks very strange and has a very interesting theme. Here we go.
EYECANDY was fascinating in this level. Once again, the level makes the set look brilliant, like nothing I have ever seen before, and it looks great, did I mention it looks great? I think it looks very abstract and “alien”, and judging by the level name, the author clearly set the correct theme in the correct way. Well done.
GAMEPLAY was quite good, despite the confusion I would get from the pit. I really liked the way it played and also I think the tubes and flow of this level is really good. Atop of that, I feel that the control points as well as the RESPAWN system add a new feel to this level, which really sets this DOM apart from the others. It makes you want to stay alive without having to suffer consequences if you fail to do so. It’s nonetheless, GRRRREAAAAAT as our good friend TONY the TIGER would say. =]
PLACEMENT was great again, with powerups fairly dispersed across the level, and springs, tubes and oneways appropriately placed at other areas. I really like the way this level works along with its placement, such as the seeker powerup and stuff. I think the placement here is great, and the level works greatly, and very little can be changed to improve it (placement). =]
Good Job
So that was the top 3, and now, here are the other four, which all were still very good, I just couldn’t include them in the top 3. Thank you for taking part. [These are written in alphabetical order by author name if you’re wondering].
Lava Reef by DarkSonic – Good level, with interesting concepts, as well as the fresh eyecandy.
Highland Glaciers by Jimbob – Very chaotic and fun for big servers, loads of PUs and carrots to keep the gameplay flowing.
Midnight at Bloodlet Bane by PT32 – Had a few bad parts, but I really liked some of the design ideas put into the level.
KingDOM by Spaz18 – Great, king-sized level for more strategic and less chaotic DOMs. I like the concepts put into this level too.
I guess that’s everything. Thanks for taking part to everyone, and feel free to leave feedback etc. =) I hope you agree with the order. And, a special well done, to Quickz for winning this contest. Your level was the best.