
An interesting, chaotic release from JonnYReds. There is a rustic simplicity to the brushwork in this forgotten temple and crypt environment. Textures are applied to the surfaces with minimal alignment concerns. They are purely symbolic. The level theme still comes through all this rawness.
Layout follows in the same vein with tight spaces, pitch black corners, odd height steps, ledges and raised floors. This feels very organic, made on the go with an unfiltered vision.
Does it all come together and deliver in the gameplay? Well, yes and no.
DeathMatches and Team DM games have a short fun cycle. The item layout hampers the longevity as you are constantly pulled back towards the Red Armour and rarely venture beyond this middle space. There are plenty of fast frags to keep the game moving, just lacking staying power. More time spent on the item layout and an extra weapon or two may have helped to spread the games wider, but the structure would still need work.
In DeathMatch, a custom bot (Skeletor) has been included. A nice touch that continues the theme. The bots navigate effortlessly. They can become easy pickings if you camp the Red Armour.
Like a car that has been painted with a brush. It is rough, but it works. There is a unique celebration of imperfection in this release.
Ranked: 3.8 out of 5 (3 votes)
Download: Crypta Tenebrarum by JonnYReds
