March 25, 2002
Mmm, first-person shooters. Venting those harmful impulses in a safe environment.
Team Fortress Classic. The mod that originally got me started on Half-Life. A re-hash of the Quake mod Team Fortress, using the HL engine. All the classes are there, the graphics are better, and the game's a little more competitive between the classes. Unfortunately, as the oldest mod, it's had the most time for lamers to take it over. The last time I played, the concepts of team play such as playing defense and telling teammates where the flag is, seem to have gone out the window. Depressing if played for more than half an hour at a time.
Counter Strike. Another teamplay mod, this one pits terrorists against counter-terrorist forces such as the SAS and SEALS. The mod uses real weapons like AK-47s and MP-5s and has more realistic damage assessment. On the down side, my aim sucks so I usually wind up getting hosed. It shows promise though.
Day of Defeat. The newest mod I've played, it pits the Axis against the Allies, both in made-up maps and in maps that emulate WWII battles. Microphones are handled differently from CS (CS uses them as radios only audible to teammates; DoD uses them as shouting, which fits the WWII theme) and the weapons are all WWII vintage as well. On the downside, it tries to do too much -- the gigantic maps play hell with my old system and I basically can't keep up. Usually I'm dead before I know I'm being fired on.
Ratings:
TFC: Oldie-but-goody, unfortunately taken over by lamers. 6.5/10.
CS: Shows promise, I'm just frustrated because I'm not very good at it. 9/10.
DoD: Good concept, but poorly implemented. Old machines can't take it. 3/10.
