HerrMittmann submitted a new map: Ragnahalla - Yet another Valhalla-Remake Read more about this map...
I like the water for sure...not sure about the mix of tropical and Alpine trees...I think perhaps one or the other would be great, and with more foliage.
a friend suggested the mix and i think he was somewhat right. its because of tidal and it feels a litte odd to see those tropical island in the back...
So I really went and spent some time on this. I am happy there is water sure, however this is a very missed opportunity. The old Alpine rocks are easily the worst looking ones in the bunch, swapping them out with barrens rocks and having tidal terrain (yes, a lot would have been sandy areas because of terrain height). The two go together so well. Sandy areas around the bases with a green middle with hints of green around the map... sound wonderful. Playing around with a few different trees on that kind of setting would be fantastic. The map is missing a few of the sniper perches that players have grown to remember (and enjoy). The wall is a curious design, however opening up that field again reminds me of why they added that cover in the MM version in the first place, that is a no go zone again. The only thing that really shines on this map is the rebuilt bases, I loved them. I won't leave an actual review, but overall the map feels like a rework of what was a bad looking map to begin with. It looked good in the early days, but this was a missed opportunity to make a better theme, better look, better aesthetic, etc. A lot of areas are exploitable with the wasp and the sea side is too punishing for it. Try an invisible blocker ceiling for starters. I would love to see you take another crack at this, be it tidal terrain or a desert setting, but please dump the current terrain and rocks. If you pulled off something like that, I would love to see the swap in MM. All of the new plants/trees added just clashed. Good luck, I challenge you in doing this task. Msg me on xbox sometime, I would like to see where you go with it and we could just talk forge ideas, themes, etc. Edit: The Pelican was in a good place in MM, I wouldn't change that one. By doing what your doing, understand how under the microscope you will be, especially if 343 were to take a look.
It's only a missed opportunity if you see this map as set in stone So thanks for your detailed feedback. Even though there are always some things that are more a personal opinion/taste. For example, I have no problems with those Alpine rocks. But everything concerning the actual gameplay is always very useful to hear.
Upon revisiting this map, I would just go with a tropical theme. Why not ditch the alpine trees and embrace the Tidal lushness completely? It only makes since because I think the island backdrop can actually enhance the map. Also, the bases look very halo 4/5ish and this tropical theme would complement that of the warzone map "Raid on Apex 7"
would you prefer tidal rocks, as well? tidal landscape/flats are critical because the floor isn:t high enough, so there would mostly be wet sand.
I think a good mix of tidal and barrens rocks would work; perhaps have one side of the map with more of one type of rock. Also, note that I am a big fan of *remixes*, and personally, if I had to re-do Valhalla, it would have a *lot* for trees and foliage, more varied terrain (elevation would also help bring out the green-ness of the tidal terrain pieces, but you'd still be able to have a river/rivers with the real tidal water). Of course, if you want this to be more of an exact remake, then you might have to disregard such ideas. However, then again, Halo 5 plays alot different than Halo 3 and older Halo titles (*cough* Halo 5 BR range is OP *cough*), so for the more optimal gaming experience, it makes sense to lean towards the remix route rather than exact remake.
Yes, in the end I don't want to make an exact remake. Not just because of some different gameplay mechanics. Take the Pelican for example - at some point I hope to push the gameplay over all a little forward by adding such events. They tell a story and also you have to adapt during the match. As much as I would love to use more trees and more elevation, to me Valhalla always shined by being a good map for vehicular combat. The river is a problem in this, since I can't change the level of the water. So there might be an actual gap crossing the map that makes it very unfluid to drive around in a warthog or whatever. But actually, I don't know. I have to see/test it in forge. Hmm, so I guess in the end, I leave this map more or less as it is for now. Call it a backup or whatever. But I will also save a copy and work on that to make a remake of the remake of the remake where I apply some more of the things you said.