Supposed to be lonely (noq3dm6) was author noname's entry for the third Geometry Competition, hosted by LevelSource back in 2004, where it placed 6th (technically 7th) for Best Level Design. Supposed to be lonely is one of several entries for GeoComp3 with a clear focus on atmosphere and lighting, filled with all the existential dread reflected in its name. Hovering above an eerie yellow mist, you will move precariously along a series of narrow boardwalks suspended on hovering piers and partially lit by faintly glowing yellow bollards and numerous lamp posts emitting a ghostly diffuse white. But like the moth to the flame, for the solitary gladiator, these beacons may equally serve as traps, as they act as guides, in the otherwise pitch blackness of night. A ghostly blue "soul sphere" lures the gladiator, barely clinging to life, before what can only be described as a pendant chandelier mounted into a towering Cathedralesque apse. But like many of the talismans hovering in this bleak arena, the temptation of this life-giving elixir may well lead you to your death in the eternal void that waits below.
As haunting as all this sounds, navigation on noq3dm6 is hazardous due to the lack of playable surface area often leading to negative scores while learning the layout. Long distance fire may end up being preferable to close-quarters combat but taking a blast from the Rocket Launcher or Rail Gun will not help you in your quest to build a winning frag tally. Due to its smallness in size, tourney is the preferred mode of combat, although if you are foolhardy and fearless enough you may also wish to brave a small FFA. However, despite the presence of stairways, the overall flatness of the level renders gameplay largely horizontal. Both the Grenade Launcher and BFG have been suitably omitted here, but given the ominous luminosity on display, I would have loved to have seen the discharge of lightning bolts, from the Lightning Gun, amidst the fleck of lights and oppressive darkness that form the backdrop for this level.
Design has been kept minimal; possibly too simple for what people have come to expect from a GeoComp level. But where noq3dm6 lacks detail and gameplay, it makes up for in atmosphere. Worth a look for that alone.
Reviewed by HelterSkeleton
