Quake 3: Arena Map Review

Let me preface this by saying that all the maps (except for Tourney5) look great. They have wonderful architecture, colors, sky etc. As nice as that is, it means nothing when it comes to gameplay. With Q3A being an on-line game, gameplay means everything. We're all aware of the changes to the weapons, teleporters and general playing conditions. Let's see how the maps fair in regards to Teamplay and 1on1 maps.

Before you read this, there are certain things you should know. The first, is that I'm not a fan of maps that have a lot of environmental traps. I don't mind the lava / slime but, I don't care for "floating maps" where you can fall off them. Also, I'm not a big fan of the jump pads. One or two on a map is fine but, not when you get ten or more.

You can click on each picture to see the full view. The pictures are high quality 800x600 pics. Here we go

Boring map but, the sky is so pretty.

Q3DM1 - Arena Gate: It's as simple as they come. I actually like this map as it separates the rocket launcher from the red armor. Since each player always seems to be heading towards one or the other, you tend to meet in the middle. I like the way the RA is out of the way and not just sitting in the middle.

Players: 1on1, 2on2 and 6-8 FFA

Don't mess with me, I have a gauntlet!

Q3DM2 - House of Pain: Not much to this map. Once again, you find the major weapons to be RL, Plasma along with RA, YA and Haste power-up. Simple map with the RL in a separate room which is sure to be camped. Fortunately, there is more than one way out of the water.

Players: 1on1, 2on2 and 6-8 FFA

Another pretty sky on a boring map.

Q3DM3 - Arena Of Death: This is actually a decent map but, it has poor weapon placement. Also, the major weapon changes through the match. i.e.: where the RL is at the start, later it becomes the Plasma gun. An alcove for the RA makes it a camping spot. The Grenade Launcher makes it's first appearance on this map but, is placed in a spot perfectly made for spamming.

Players: 1on1, 2on2 and 6 FFA

When you stand on those electrical beams, you lose health really fast.

Q3DM4 - The Place Of Many Deaths: The first "larger" map that we see. This is also the first map that has a teleporter. Once again, you pay the price to get the RA as it can be camped. The RL is on an upper ledge which is perfect for camping. To make matters worse, the Quad is located directly below the RL.

Players: 2on2 and 8-12 FFA

If you have control of this map, you won't be moving far from this position.

Q3DM5 - The Forgotten Place: I've watched a few matches on this map and the bottom line is, camp the RL and the RA and you'll win. This map would be very good if the weapon placement was done with a bit more forethought. They separated the RL and RA on every other map, why not this one?

Players: 1on1 and 6 FFA

Notice the Railgun in the top right? In Q3A, you can Rjump all the way up there.

Q3DM6 - The Camping Grounds: I enjoyed playing this map. It was huge with all weapons available. The Quad is in an open area so, you will pay the price to camp it. This is the first map where the Railgun makes an appearance. Oh, and the map is very pretty.

Players: 2on2, 3on3, 4on4 (possibly more) and 12-20 FFA

Camp, Camp, Camp! This map is an average map with a few nice camping places.

Q3DM7 - Temple Of Retribution: It's a sad comment when most people who talked about this map from the test thought that it was okay but, the maps in the full release will be much better. The sad part is that there aren't much better than this map as far as Clan matches. I'm not sure what id intended DM7 to be but, it seems like most single player maps that you'd see in Quake or Quake 2. Watch out for the campers!

Players: 2on2, 3on3, 4on4 and 12 FFA

I don't think my swimming pool water is this clear.

Q3DM8 - Brimstone Abbey: This is the first map to introduce us to two new features of Q3A. Actual see-through water and doors. Once again, you have to work to get the RA, which I like. Now, you're saying, "Methos? Doors are doors, man!". Well that's true but, the difference with the doors in Q3A is that they open when shot. This may not seem like much but, it will have a dramatic affect on player strategy. With the footsteps still in Q3A, you can now fake-out an opponent by shooting the door before going through or heading in another direction.

Players: 2on2, 3on3, 4on4 and 12+ FFA

I love the fireballs on the statues hands.

Q3DM9 - Hero's Keep: What looks like a 2 part map. One side with RL and armor, the other side with RG and armor. Too small for a clan map, too silly for a 1on1 map.

Players: 2on2 and 8 FFA

Standing inside this re-generation station can be damaging to your health.

Q3DM10 - The Nameless Place: This map must have been leftover from Quake2. It's an ffa map with lots of small hallways. There's no real fighting area in the entire map. One thing this map does have is the Re-Generation Platform which increases your health and armor, the longer you stand in it. Don't stand there too long as it's very loud and there are no less than 7 different places that people can shoot at you from.

Players: 8+ FFA

This gorgeous room will be the center of attention on this huge map.

Q3DM11 - Deva Station: One of the two or three largest maps in Q3A. Lots of Q2 type hallways. Not sure why but, once again, the RL and RA are in the same room. This map will probably serve as a good "large" clan map (5on5+), large FFA and maybe even a decent CA map.

Players: 4on4+ and 12+ FFA

Hmm, another room with lots of weapons and exits. Looks nice though.

Q3DM12 - The Dredwerkz: Another huge map that will certainly be popular in large clan and ffa matches. The main room (shown at left) will be almost impossible to lock-down. The BFG10K makes an appearance on this level and it will be widely used as there are many sniper points.

Players: 4on4+ and 12+ FFA

Could this be the best 1on1 map in Q3A?

Q3DM13 - Lost World: Probably the best 1on1 map in the entire game. Unlike the other RL / Plasma maps, this map has the LG to counter the RL. Nice weapon placement and decent design for the map. The RA is decently hidden and the GL can be used for non-spamming purposes.

Players: 1on1, 2on2 and 6 FFA

Could this be the best Clan map in Q3A?

Q3DM14 - Grim Dungeons: Another map that will be used for clan matches. Lots of weapons, fighting areas and power-ups. It's a very Q2'ish type of map and it has lots of pitfall areas but, it's seems decent.

Players: 3on3, 4on4 and 12+ FFA

As far as FFA and CA maps, this one was my fav.

Q3DM15 - Demon Keep: I had fun while playing this level. Even though it has lots of jump pads, it still required some strategy. It's a deceivingly large map with lots of areas to fight in. To me, this is the way an ffa map should be designed. Both indoor and outdoor areas, lots of room and decent amounts of weapons. It actually reminds me of a couple of the Q2 maps.

Players: 3on3, 4on4 and 12+ FFA

Leftover map from Q2?

Q3DM16 - The Bouncy Map: Ugh. Bouncy Map is the perfect title for this one. It's the first of five "space" maps that do nothing for me. Get your railgun and practice your aim. You'll need it for these next 5 maps.

Players: 6-8 FFA

Another Railgun based map for Q2 lovers.

Q3DM17 - The Longest Yard: A little bit better than the previous map, it requires a bit of thinking but, it's still an ffa, rail map with lots of places to fall from. If you're playing against an opponent with exceptional Railgun aim, you'll want to rename this map to "Nowhere To Hide".

Players: 6-12 FFA

Hmm, how am I gonna get that RL way up there? Maybe I'll use one of the 8 billion jump pads in Q3A

Q3DM18 - Space Chamber: This map is gorgeous but, don't let that fool you. Same as above, no strategy involved. Just grab the Railgun, shoot and don't get knocked off.

Players: 6-8 FFA

Notice my opponent on the level across from me? Neither did I.

Q3DM19 - Apocalypse Void: This map made me sick. It's a bad map that was only designed to show that they could have free-standing platforms move up and down. Poor weapon, power-up and armor placement.

Players: 6-12 FFA

They're not what you might expect from "tournament" maps. Matter of fact, a couple are poor excuses for any type of map.

This view was the only exciting thing about this map.

Q3Tourney1 - Powerstation 0218: Okay, it's a map. Not much of one though. It's very plain, has an RL and Quad.

Players: 1on1, 2on2 and 6 FFA

This map was average in the "test", it's still the same.

Q3Tourney2 - The Proving Grounds: I thought this level was average in the "test" version of Q3A. Unfortunately, it's one of the better ones that they've made for the full release. Spookie thinks that this map typifies the 1on1 maps in Q3A. I have a feeling that his comment was brought on by a lack of options rather than choice. Taking away some of the health from the test version was a good choice.

Players: 1on1, 2on2, 4-6 FFA

Another rail map with lots of places to fall

Q3Tourney3 - Hell's Gate: This map is starting to grow on me. As mentioned previously, this may be from a lack of options rather than being good by design. If you can avoid falling off and you have decent RG aim, this map could be for you. The weapons have been nicely placed so that it would be hard to dominate the level to any degree. I'm glad there is no GL on this map.

Players: 1on1, 2on2, 6-8 FFA

What could be of the best tourney map, even for 1on1.

Q3Tourney4 - Vertical Vengeance: Decent map but, perhaps a bit big for 1on1 as you tend to chase a lot during matches. A bit too many camping spaces for my liking but, that could lead to some interesting strategy for 1on1 matches. Could be fun for smaller ffa matches too.

Players: 1on1, 2on2, 4-8 FFA

My opponent is here somewhere, I saw him 10 minutes ago.

Q3Tourney5 - Fatal Instinct: One word, YUCK!

Players: Don't bother

Notice the score? Notice all the red marks on the platform above? My opponent didn't know it was me crushing him.

Q3Tourney6 - The Very End Of You: Get your Rail skills in order. If you don't, you won't survive on this map. Being another "space" type map, this one is pure novelty. You'll have fun squishing people and using the jump pads. Other than that, it's only good to practice your Railgun aim.

Players: 1on1?, 2on2? 6-8 FFA