yeh, I do like a nice blue flame XD. Guess it could be electric? OT: this map is INCREDIBLE! Its perfect down to the last detail, bravo!
Anchor Estate is a perfect example of meticulous attention to detail and consistency to a theme. The theme of Anchor Estate is that of a lodge; it comes complete with a theater, pool, central lobby, dining room, lounge room, and outside picnic area known as the cavern dining room. Each room has its own aesthetic flare and together they form a beautiful map. The player will start out in the main lobby of Anchor Estate and will soon marvel at what they see. Immediately the player will notice the semi-circular structure in front of them with a path leading downward in the middle of it and two staircases leading to a second floor on either side of the semi-circular structure. Above the entrance to the pool is the symbol of this estate, an anchor. This anchor is constructed from columns and alerts the player that this estate has a maritime theme to it. In the far left corner of the lobby the player will find a platform with a piano sitting on top of it. The piano was constructed perfectly and the flag stands being used as keys were excellent attention to detail. The use of a piano further adds to the theme of the map, being an upper class lodge. The right corner of the lobby has a large table named the “meeting table”. A meeting table does not quite fit into the aesthetic of a lobby for a lodge and the two parts that make up the table Z-Fight a little. Next to the table is an entrance to the “cavern dining room”. The cavern dining room is a welcomed respite from the predominantly grey building proper. The cavern dining room covers the part of the island with the small creek running through it. The space is almost fully enclosed with rocks with some small antennae acting as a grate for the water coming in. A few tables dot the space and a walkway further into the cavern leads to another table. Overall, the cavern dining room is underwhelming. The break in grey aesthetic is nice, but so much more could have been accomplished in this space. It is called the “cavern dining room” but it only has a few tables and looks more like picnic space. A makeshift bar could have been constructed or a more organized table formation could have been crafted to really give the space a “dining room” feel. Next is the poolroom. It descends from the middle of the lobby into a smooth, grey hallway. The grey hallway then gives way to a half bunker that does a good job of separating the grey aesthetic of the main building and the stunt ramp pieces used in the poolroom. The stunt ramps were a perfect choice in forge piece design as they really give that public pool theme. A diving board is across from the ramp leading into the pool and offers another example of great attention to detail. The room would have had a more complete feel to it if it had lounge chairs or some kind of furniture as it is going for the theme of a pool in a sophisticated lodge. Time to ascend the steps of Anchor Estate and assess the state of the second floor. If the player ascends the right staircase or ramp than they will find themselves in the theatre. One word describes the theatre, magnificent. The room is a perfect recreation of a small theatre. The space is smoothly forged and all the distances from object to object seem completely natural. The seating area is sloped upward so every seat gets the same view of the stage. The seats themselves look more like pews than theatre seats but the design is understandable given the limitations in forge pieces. Center stage is slightly raised like real world stages and small railings act as stage lights. A large antenna with a white light in the middle of it acts like a central theatre light. To both sides of the theatre are equipped with a single balcony overlooking the stage with an ornamental cover piece acting like seats. The back of the theatre is a hallway that leads out to either balcony and has a coliseum window that allows the player to look out over the ocean. If the player ascended the left staircase of the lobby than they would find themselves in the lounge room. The lounge room has a bar and kitchen area, a billiard table, and some chairs facing a roaring fireplace. The bar is the first thing the player will see when they enter the lounge. One-by-one blocks act as bar stools. Across from the bar is the kitchen area that sports a counter, soft drink machine, and sink. Abundant use of the flag stand is seen in this room and throughout Anchor Estate. The flag stand acts as the handles and faucet on the sink, the soft drink dispensers and as clock hands on the far wall by the fireplace. Next to the kitchen area is the billiard table. The billiard table is another great example of consistency to a central theme. Phased golf clubs give the illusion of pool cues and plasma balls give the illusion of billiard balls. Again the billiard table shows excellent attention to detail. Behind the billiard table is a large screen television, though it might have been easier to distinguish it as a television if it had a one-way shield over it making it glow. Next to the billiard table is a chair, sofa, fireplace, and clock. It is almost a cliché image of a lodge with comfy, lavish, furniture facing a roaring fireplace but this further adds to the dedication of the central theme of the map. The magical blue flames seemed a little off and something could have been added that would give the illusion of firewood. An outside terrace is viewable from the lounge but not accessible, this is regrettable as an outside balcony would have been another nice break from the grey aesthetic but understandable if the outside of the estate is not aesthetically pleasing. Overall everyone room is wonderfully crafted and excellent attention to detail was paid to each room. Having said that, a little more could have been done to really sell the theme of the map. The map name is Anchor Estate, which would imply a maritime theme, but the overall grey feeling of the rooms, regardless of the brilliant design, belittles this theme. Mansion or house themed maps have been done before so the idea itself is nothing new. Some of the rooms have been done before. Pools have been featured in other maps, as have lounges and outside picnic like areas. What separates Anchor Estate from any of the similar maps is the attention to detail in every room and the overall consistency to the theme of a lodge. Any forger can look at a forge piece and use it as it was intended. Any good forger can use a forge piece and use it in a few ways it was unintended. A great forger can take a piece and use it in ways others might have never thought of. Flagstands in this map are used all over the place and in completely original ways. Flag stands as soft drink dispensers, as clockhands, and as keys for a piano. Speaking of the piano, which had not been seen up until this point, it is truly a work of art. The theatre is also a work of art. The scale and look of the map helps the player immediately know that they are in a theatre. While the concept of a mansion or house has been done before, it has never been done to the level of Anchor Estate. This map transcends halo and could be considered a work of art. Rating Multipliers Aesthetic : 19/20 = 19 x 4 = 76/80 Originality: 4/5 = 4 x 4 = 16/20 This map was a joy to review, I'm glad it was featured, and I hope to see more from you and I hope you keep that eye for detail in all maps you make. Final Score Understanding the Review Hub's Ratings
As already said, awesome details. Love the fact that you made a watch on the wall in the lounge. One qustion tough, can you go up to the "balconies" in the theater?
^ yes, just walk to the back of the theatre and there is a hall way that will lead you to both balconies.