Qurnel's Frag. Download
Qurnel's Frag is one of the most visually stunning levels in Quake history. Using textures from Unreal and other sources, Qurnel has created one beautiful map. The windows look excellent, the tapestries hanging on the wall look great, the lava looks hot, and the wood and stone look straight from an ancient castle. In fact Frag is set in a castle. The lowest level of the castle has lava, stone and even a small grass area near the teleporter. The middle and upper levels are composed of wood and stone around a large central atrium. There are spiral staircases, normal staircases, rafters on the ceiling, and boxes lying around in various places. This level oozes atmosphere. The lighting is not overly complicated, but everything else looks spectacular. Everything is bright enough for a good duel and there aren't any dark areas to hide from your opponent.
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? | DM4 anyone? Oh no, wait! It's not! Of course there are numerous similarities, but this map will be regarded as a special piece in it's own right by anyone who plays it. A huge range of textures used here too. |
The layout is very reminiscent of dm4. There are bits and pieces of dm4, with a few things juxtaposed for good measure. Remember being pinned in the dead end with the Mega health and the rocket launcher at the bottom of dm4 by some maniac throwing grenades and firing rockets down below? Go for the red armour on Frag and you might experience deja vu. On the top level there is a small staircase that leads to and enclosed area containing the red armour and a rocket launcher. Going for the red armour is very dangerous. One can wait for you to go down the steps then pummel you with grenades and rockets from above. You could try to walk of the steps which is near suicide, or try to rocket jump out of the area which is very easily countered by your opponent. Whats neat about this area is that it is much easier to attack than the Mega health room in dm4. No more waiting in this area for half of the game. If someone finds you down there waiting for the red armour, someone is going to die, and most likely its you.
The lowest area contains a walkway surrounded by lava. On one end is a teleporter the top level (sound like a certain map Timber likes?), and an area with a megahealth and a rocket launcher (the bad place maybe?). However near the mega health/rocket launcher area there are steps leading upward. What about the GA down below on dm4? Is it still there? Yes, there is even a green armour to make all those dm4 loving players feel right at home.
| The red armour area. Do you risk coming down here to get it? Again, this is another similarity to dm4, but this area in some ways can be more brutal than dm4's equivalent since there's only one way out - the steps. | ? |
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Is there anything then different from dm4? Well yes, the map plays quite differently. The map is more spread out, and the central atrrium can be attacked from all sides. The lightning gun resides on the top level and is placed in an interesting manner. Its near some boxes, in a well. One must go down into the water to get the lighting gun. This will give your location away, and if you are not quick, perhaps the lead in the duel. Not to worry if someone finds you, perhaps you will get lucky with a dsicharge kill that all the lava diving dm4 maniacs know and love.
Final Verdict.
To round out the items there are a yellow and green armours on the middle level as well as a grenade launcher up top. The connectivity of the level is quite good and a 1v1 tends to be more tactical than your typical dm4 spawn rape. There are some similarities to dm4, but just because you hate the map and feel the name "the bad place" applies to dm4 in more than one way, you should really give frag a shot. It looks immaculate, and plays great in deathmatch mode 1 or 3. The armours and weapons are spread out in an intelligent manner, and people who camp the red armour are in for a rude awakening. "If this map were an event it would be a laungerie fashion show: stylish, fun to look at, and definitely something that will make your pulse sky rocket!"