12 replies to this topic

[Steel Mike Eels]

I've had a few drops on this map and...

I'm really not sure.

In terms of dynamics, it's different to some - I've yet to really get into close range brawling, but as I've mostly played an LRM on it, that hasn't been a problem.

I don't think I'd enjoy scouting it but that's rarely my forte

But the look and feel give me huge pause for thought and I'm coming to the conclusion that I really don't like it. I'll try and explain why.

It looks like a holiday resort. It doesn't just look like a holiday resort. It looks like we're in the 1990s and the developers of Doom have just come back from their vacation on a Greek island and tried to replicate their drunken booze fueled fortnight and somehow... missed.

I don't dislike the structures, or the architecture. In fact I kind of like them... but the look... the yellow, yellow, yellow rocks and the steep roads and the feel that it's been somehow cobbled together by a guy with a really bad hangover and an itch he caught from someone unpleasant on that Greek island...

I understand that it's a WIP and there's more to be done but I cannot help keeping an eye out for a Beholder every time I turn a corner and some very dated effects.

This is my personal feel and I guess some of you guys like it. I don't think I'm alone in my sense it needs more... something. I mentioned this in a couple of games and got more than one affirmations.

Make of it what you will.

[D V Devnull]

Steel Mike Eels, on 13 December 2024 - 02:31 PM, said:

I don't think I'm alone in my sense it needs more... something.

My only question for you, given that we both know this is an Early Access version of things...

Do you feel like it could use more buildings, tunnels, and/or bridges of various kinds?

~D. V. "trying to provide 'Steel Mike Eels' with a starter for 'Luthien'-related discussion and ideas" Devnull

[Steel Mike Eels]

Definitely more buildings, and traffic and/or human activity. It feels like a "ghost zone" - there's nothing there until we drop in.

I'm not enamoured of the textures but yes, I get it's a WIP so I don't expect perfection off the bat.

I quite like the "structure" of the zone... the gulleys and the peaks make it interesting and it works well to split teams up but it doesn't move me.

I think perhaps some destructible buildings and/or bridges might be interesting. For example a couple of bridges too narrow for a mech to traverse and too fragile for mechs and missiles... but I don't know if that is doable with the current game engine.

[Lanzman]

I'm wondering what part of Luthien it's supposed to be? Maybe the Katsura River Valley?

[martian]

Lanzman, on 21 December 2024 - 11:58 AM, said:

I'm wondering what part of Luthien it's supposed to be? Maybe the Katsura River Valley?

The Palace grounds.

[Steel Mike Eels]

Is Luthien a place?

[martian]

Steel Mike Eels, on 21 December 2024 - 01:00 PM, said:

Is Luthien a place?

Luthien is the capital world of the Draconis Combine.

[Steel Mike Eels]

Thanks.

Sadly I'm largely ignorant of the game lore

[martian]

Steel Mike Eels, on 21 December 2024 - 04:23 PM, said:

Thanks.

Sadly I'm largely ignorant of the game lore

Just like PGI.

Really, you do not have to be sad. There is only a tiny amount of the BattleTech lore in MechWarrior Online.

The new Luthien map shows the gardens of the Imperial palace on Luthien. The rest of the planet is polluted heavily, but those palace parks are kept up finely.

[Steel Mike Eels]

martian, on 21 December 2024 - 09:45 PM, said:

Just like PGI.

Really, you do not have to be sad. There is only a tiny amount of the BattleTech lore in MechWarrior Online.

The new Luthien map shows the gardens of the Imperial palace on Luthien. The rest of the planet is polluted heavily, but those palace parks are kept up finely.

I've been thinking about the map and this response too.

It feels nothing like an Imperial Palace, or grounds or garden.

I'll try and explain, even though I'm not a loremaster.

There are no monuments, or statuary or anything on that map to commemorate the proud history and great deeds of the empire. These are Imperial Palace grounds and they should be heaving with signs of the empire's achievements. There should be flags, castles/forts, great statues of mechs and statues of their pilots, their warriors, the empire's heroes.

There's none of that and precious few guards that I can see unless the assumption is that it's the opposing team. But as a palace garden, it really doesn't pass muster. It's feeble and pathetic if that's what it purports to be. No empire would be so meek. It would stomped underfoot in a moment and only a smoking ruin would be left in its place!

[martian]

Steel Mike Eels, on 11 January 2025 - 03:59 PM, said:

There are no monuments, or statuary or anything on that map to commemorate the proud history and great deeds of the empire. These are Imperial Palace grounds and they should be heaving with signs of the empire's achievements. There should be flags, castles/forts, great statues of mechs and statues of their pilots, their warriors, the empire's heroes.

I agree with you.

[Duke Falcon]

Dunno...

The map, with some more vegetation, shading would be nice for a GENERIC map. For Luthien? Looks more like a davion countryside. Luthien Palace and it's surrounding may look more asian in style?

Combine loves japanese-aesthetic so much their mechs often wield "sode", "haidate", "kusazuri" or like "maedate"... One would thus await some japanese-esque buildings or bridges. I know, low budget, noone wanna work on new stuffs for MWO, still!

Just my opinion...

[Steel Mike Eels]

I can't speak to that because I don't know enough about the lore - but you could well be right. My point is that it just doesn't feel like the heart of an empire.

Go round any city in the world with some history, London, Paris, Rome, Constantinople - and they are filled with Monuments to their Greatness. Great, important buildings, statues, plazas, all aimed at reminding those who visit just who they are dealing with.

This map, while not unpleasant, is definitely not a palatial garden and gives no sense of imperial might.