Review of Map: Dune Towers by Star on November 14, 2001

Playability: 95 Detail: 70 Balance: 95 Placement: 85 Mechanics: 90

The map is very small with ski-able little hills on a desert terrain. There is one objective in the middle of the map. The objective is extremely important because the team who controls it controls the two inventory stations it provides (the only two on the map). The start of the map typically starts with a mad dash to control the objective while a few defenders stick around the flag. This map also has fantastic bot support.

The main bases themselves do not provide much in the way of defense. The flag is in a small alcove surrounded on 3 sides by forcefields. The flag has one sentry turret guarding it. The base also had two sensors on small towers and two solar panels. One panel powers the forcefield and the sentry turret while the other powers the sensors on the towers. These solar panels are very visible and easy to destroy. The small towers have weapons in them to aid in your assault of the objective. One of them has an energy pack and a sniper rifle but sniping will be a challenge because of the fog.

The objective has two inventory stations, a sensor, two solar panels, and the switch itself. I have found the inventory stations are destroyed quickly in the chaos around the objective. While there is a respawnable repair pack right next to the stations, it is still very difficult to repair a station without being killed. I found it useful to repair a station until it works then grab a deployable inventory station and bring it back to the main base. Capturing the objective also gives your team an advantage because they can spawn right next to it. This aids with holding it for longer periods of time.

There are few things that could be considered flaws on this map. One is that it is a simple map. Some prefer Tribes 2 because it has larger maps with larger bases and teams, this map is not like a typical Tribes 2 map and therefore does not fit into that category. Some people also prefer slower-paced maps as opposed to small, fast-paced maps seen in Tribes 1. This map is very small and the pace is very fast. One thing I would change would be the cap limit. Six caps on such a small map is not going to last very long.

I loved playing on this map. I love simple maps with simple objectives and fast gameplay (I’m just a simple guy I guess). If you’re looking for a typical Tribes 2 map to add to your collection, this is not it. If you’re a Tribes 1 veteran looking to relive some memories, or just a Tribes 2 player looking for some faster action, this is a map for you.