Here is a medium length map that was submitted to a Snarkpit competition. You play as Gordon Freeman on your way to what looks to be certain death.
This is my entry for the snarkpit ‘map from base’ singleplayer mapping challenge. Regardless of how the challenge pans out, I plan on developing this map further, and extending the gameplay beyond what I’ve built.
We’ll call this an ‘alternate history’ if you will; a spin off scenario that puts you, Gordon Freeman, captive of the brutal Combine – being marched off to a quick death. The end is near…. or is it?
Edit…. this map has been EXTENDED!! I’ve completed round 2 of the snarkpit mapping challenge by continuing with this singleplayer map. I decided to try and cram round 2 into the same bsp… the result is a fairly large map. Let me know if anyone has problems running it, as I may end up splitting it into 2 maps. Once again, I plan to continue developing this further.
- Title: So Much For Freeman
- File Name: hl2-sp-so-much-for-freeman.rar
- Size : 14.57Mb
- Author: Duncan Moore AKA Finger
- Originally Released Here: Snarkpit
- Date Released: 31 May 2007
It seems that for some reason this mod is not Windows Vista 64 Bit compatible.
Just add -32bit to the target of your HL2 shortcut or right click HL2 in steam and go properties, then Set Launch options and add it there.
- Filecloud
- Atomic Gamer
- Game Updates (Torrent)
- Copy the snark_mfb01_round2_finger file into your Half-Life 2 Maps folder.
- Launch Half-Life 2.
- Open the console and type map snark_mfb01_round2_finger.
- Press enter/return or click the submit button.
- Play and thoroughly enjoy!
Click on the thumbnails below to open a 1024 pixel wide image.
WARNING: The screenshots may contain spoilers.
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14th June 2008
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14th June 2008
I can’t believe that this map hasn’t had more coverage. Granted it’s quite old but it still should have received more publicity than it has. That’s what PP is for I suppose!
Before I write my brief review, you may have noticed that this map has a Play It Now! recommendation image in the header image. I have decide that for some maps I will add my recommendation to the header image. I am doing this to encourage readers to view certain maps and mods.
Onto the map itself.
I know that certain readers feel I gush over maps that they consider less worthy but my tastes are different from yours and I don’t apologize for that. As Mel, a regular reader and one time reviewer, noted I like short and polish maps. Long drawn out affairs lose my interest.
When I say that this has a fantastic start to a map, in fact one of the best starts I have seen, believe me. The seen is set very well and although the typical Escape from the brink of death is a little clichéd it still is great.
The action starts out pretty intensely and mellows out until the final battle, but I never felt overwhelmed or bored.
The architecture is good and the lighting is another positive point. The station area provides plenty of gameplay for minimum area.
I was very relieved to not encounter any Zombies because to be honest they bore me. Plenty of Combine, some manhacks and a smattering of headcrabs provide a stiff challenge even on the easy setting.
The end sequence has a nice portal effect and the whole building up is nicely controlled. Some snipers provide a a slight slow down in the action but that’s a welcome change rather than feeling like an interruption.
I’ve written to the author and requested a follow up map, so cross your fingers.
This is one of the best maps I’ve played in a long time and it shows that there are still some gems waiting to be found. If you are still reading, stop, download and play it now.
Then come back and write a review yourself.
14th June 2008
Simply put a winner!
Level design & setpieces are well thought out & fights range from (easy meduim skilled players)
No need for cutscenes in this map which never distracts the player from the gameplay.
Plenty of ammo & armor in all the right places & simple puzzles & places to dodge Enemies of all kinds.
Storyline is strong in this i wont tell you you play it to find out.
what a diamond gem to find within so many for 1st person shooter thats simplely HL2
14th June 2008
thats my 1st impression on playthrough
I noticed only small texture issues you have to be a real nitpicker to find them they are so minor they dont distract the enjoyment & often ignored because of the combat style.
For newcomers to HL2 is map does have some diffcult parts you may have to fall back too autosaves or saves games or just Fallling back to cover its pretty intense in some parts even tho the items help be sure to make all shots count.
This map is rated for everyone or anyone newcomers to the hardcore.
14th June 2008
Loved this map!Too short…hope the story continues….
14th June 2008
A very nice beginning to what could be an excellent SourceMod for HL2. But after a year, I have my doubts that it’ll be continued.
14th June 2008
What a nice find PP! Right from the beginning( wich is not for the fainthearted!) I was drawn into the story and that hasn’t happened that much lately.
I liked the part in the trainstation: what a way to silence that armoured car! Too bad it’s so short, I hope the author is still working on the extended map.
15th June 2008
Wow, where was this excellent map lurking? The gameplay is very well balanced and offers some intense fight scenes pitched at the more experienced player. It does draw you in like Nick said and leaves you frustrated for more. It deserves further attention and hopefully the author will expand it to a complete Mod.
16th June 2008
This is cool!!
17th June 2008
Thanks for the props and taking the time to play the game! I would love to work on finishing the map, but unfortunately I’m super busy at the moment with work and real-life. We’ll see though – maybe I’ll find some time.
Cheers,
finger
17th June 2008
Nice Map i love it
17th June 2008
A very good map indeed. Getting rid of the snipers in the end was fun and so was every moment in fact. Loved it.
18th June 2008
Ok, for myself its just not working. ive copied the file i tyoe it in console and its just telling invalid command. this is not the first time i try to run a map from console, i know what i am doing, but for this one its just not working wich is a shame since its the best rated map on planetphillip. anyone any idea? thank you.
18th June 2008
So do you just sit in the cell and wait for the action to come to you??? ’cause my game ain’t doing jack!!! I see one of the escapee(s)? playing by the ammo foot locker, but that’s it. He reaches for the shotgun, backs up, reaches, backs up again, repeatedly!!! Do I have a bug??? Running on Vista 64.
18th June 2008
Okay, let’s check some things. Are you 100% sure it’s in the HAlf-Life 2 maps folder, not any episodes?
When you type “Map ” do you get a dropdown list of maps?
18th June 2008
Definitely some sort of bug. The forcefield should drop. I can only suggest deleting the map in the Maps folder and try copying it across again. If that doesn’t work I could send you a save just after the forcefield drops. Let me know.
19th June 2008
planetphillip Said:
“Definitely some sort of bug. The forcefield should drop. I can only suggest deleting the map in the Maps folder and try copying it across again. If that doesn’t work I could send you a save just after the forcefield drops. Let me know.”
I’ve already replaced the map with a newly downloaded file twice. I’ll give it one more try though. Must be Vista 64, ’cause I get a “Node” error when the mod starts; this is the same error I got when I first loaded steam to Vista 64 and tried to play HL2 till steam did whatever it did to correct the problem (for HL2).
At any rate I let you know what’s up once I try the Mod again as I want to fix whatever problems HL is having under Vista 64.
Thanks.
21st January 2011
No it’s not because of Vista 64 bit. I have XP 32 and I have the same bug of the guy just reaching for the shotgun then backing up repeatedly… anoyying, o well.
19th June 2008
OK, seems like I’ve encountered a scripting error. Once I’m put behind the shield, that’s it! Nothing happens!!! I did manage to copy this for the control console for whatever it’s worth:
] map snark_mfb01_round2_finger
C_BaseEntity::UnlinkFromHierarchy(): Entity has a child with the wrong parent!
Dropped unnamed from server
Reason: Server shutting down
Spawn Server snark_mfb01_round2_finger
This map is not final!! Needs to be rebuilt without -keepstalezip and without -onlyents
Error: Material “snarkpit_mfb/monitorglow” : proxy “AnimatedTexture” unable to initialize!
Begin loading faces (loads materials)
End loading faces (loads materials)
SOLID_VPHYSICS static prop with no vphysics model! (models/props_buildings/buildingskybox_002a.mdl)
SOLID_VPHYSICS static prop with no vphysics model! (models/props_buildings/buildingskybox_002a.mdl)
SOLID_VPHYSICS static prop with no vphysics model! (models/props_buildings/buildingskybox_002a.mdl)
execing skill_manifest.cfg
execing skill.cfg
Setting CSprite to non-sprite model sprites/glow1
Scene ‘scenes\snark_mfb\fing_snipers.vcd’ missing!
Summary: 3003 resources total 99.97 Mb, 37.24 % of capacity
Game started
Initializing renderer…
hit surface has no samples
Saving game to SAVE\autosave.sav…
combine_executioner1: unknown scripted sequence “walk”
PS: All other HL mods and games are working just fine under Vista64.
Thanks.
19th June 2008
Short but sweet, very professional. Definitely a Play It Now.
Gypsy Jim
19th June 2008
@Sygnus21, Try this save, which was made immediately after the forcefield falls. Please let me know if it works. Place it in your HL2 SAVE folder.
20th June 2008
@planetphillip, I tried your save but for some odd reason it defaults to the moment I’m put behind the force field. Also, I hear what I assume to be a force field going down, but it obviously isn’t mine. It just seems like I have a scripting error with the file on my system. Do you know if there’s an issue with Vista 64 and this Mod?
Like I said before all my other mods work fine. And before you ask, yes I put the mod in the “Maps” section of “HL2″, and put your save file in the “SAVES” section of “HL2″ as well.
20th June 2008
No, just from the comments you read here.
Okay, I’ve recorded another save, this time 10 seconds or so after the forcefield falls. Most of the first action has finished, but if it works at least you can play the rest of the mod!
Save 2 Good Luck!
20th June 2008
well there r plenty of images here, this is kinda innovative and well detailed. I can’t say much either, ’cause I don’t map for good, but this is short too. There r some things u’ll wont see soon in some mod releases, as level design, enemy placement .. but thats just lack of luck for today releases. maybe. anyway, consider it if u want around 30 ~40 minutes of action.
20th June 2008
If you still have problems I’d delete everything from your steam folder except steamapps folder and steam.exe.Then run steam again and see if it fixes anything.
20th June 2008
@andyb,
The only issues I have is with this mod, all other games and mods play fine under 64. So…I’m about to give phillip’s save game another try, but if that doesn’t work, that’s it for this mod. Plus I don’t like the fact that you have to access it through the console.
Thanks.
20th June 2008
@planetphillip,
The save game is a no go. No matter what I do, I can’t get this mod to run. Thanks for your help, but i’m done. I won’t rate this mod as I’m not sure if it’s my system or what. I will however state again that all my other mods play just fine. I’ll also state that I don’t know why the author decided to depart from the norm by installing the mod in the HL2 maps folder as opposed to installing it in the Steam/SteamApps/SourceMods folder. Based on the ratings here, I see it’s a good mod, it’s just one I can’t run.
Thanks again
sygnus21
20th June 2008
At least we tried. Pity because it really is a good map.
In defence of the author, it’s not a mod just a map. Like perhaps 50% of the listings here on PP it’s very normal for single maps to be released in this fashion. Of course it’s much easier to run if it’s a mod but I hope to be able to announce something with regard to that soon.
20th June 2008
Andyb,
This was a map for a singleplayer map competition at http://www.snarkpit.net. It wasn’t intended to be a separate mod, therefore it wasn’t released as one. If I have time, maybe I will attempt to rerelease it as an individual mod.
Can you double-check and make sure you are running this within the Halflife2/maps directory, and not trying to run it under any other mod (episode2 or 3 won’t work).
Very sorry you are having problems with it.
Duncan
23rd June 2008
yeah i managed to make it work. thank you phillip.
for the map itself.. great action. but way too short.
download only if you have 20 min to waste.
26th June 2008
I had the same problem as sygnus21, also on Vista 64 bit. The saves didn’t work for me either but running HL2 in 32 bit mode fixes the problem. Just add the -32bit to the target of your HL2 shortcut or right click HL2 in steam and go properties, then Set Launch options and add it there.
Might be a good idea to add it to the readme or at least make a note at the top somewhere. Most mods/maps run fine for 64 bit HL2 but obviously there is something in this map that 64bit doesn’t like.
4th January 2011
Sorry, I’m rather new to maps and I am having the same problem as sygnus21 had. can someone tell me how to change to 32 bit mode? I found the Set launch options through steam, but i’m not sure what to put in the box. Some help please?
27th June 2008
Omg… speechless…
30th June 2008
Thanks! The fix and instructions in comment 27 worked!!! And yes…there should be something in the readme file about 64bit compatibility!
As for the mod…it’s a great …two thumbs up!! Please get it finished quickly
.
30th June 2008
I’ve added a note to the post. I don’t have time to upload it again with a note about the 64 bit compatibility.
1st July 2008
Thanks. Any idea when the mod will be finished?
1st July 2008
Well, as the author says in comment 27, If he has time. But now that he has a full-time design career I doubt it will ever get finished. Shame because it’s a great map.
3rd July 2008
Just a slight correction about Vista 64 bit compatibility. It’s HL2 64 bit that is the problem not Vista 64 bit. Running HL2 as 32 bit on Vista 64 bit works fine.
4th July 2008
I had no problems playing through this map. What is here is good with fine detail if just a bit on the dark side. As it stands it’s on the short side and incomplete such that I find it difficult to rate more then a ‘Consider It’, just not enough content and gameplay to rate any higher.
4th July 2008
I’ll also add that HL2 64 bit ran fine for me under Vista 64. Like planetphillip said…its the mod.
At any rate, I do hope the author find the time to finish this, but I know a “real” job comes first.
28th August 2008
This map was made already a year ago for a sp contest at snarkpit, the author isn’t a beginner and you will directly notice it.
In this mission you end sadly captured by the combine forces and seem ready to be in a really bad position…the intro will lead you in a step you never taught about…so try to survive and escape
Design of this map is well done with a good intro and a simple but immersing design, the progression is well oriented in limited areas but the travelling and challenge encountered make it really enjoyable and organised. Everything look fresh in a classic design and is enjoyable with even some new textures touch like doors and the atmospheric skybox and some short voice acting
Gameplay is balanced to be challenging and add what is needed to slow down you progression traps and combine attack are waiting for you but no boss fight in this one. It’s not also a simply forward and fight progression, you have to think a little and this help the enjoyment.
In conclusion: for a short contest map it’s a high enjoyable one everything that is needed is here present except an ending that i hope will come out one day.
Playtime: 20 Minutes
2nd October 2008
It’s really weird. Every time I try to play it, it loads Dark Messiah of Might and magic. It used to load the demo, but then I deleted the demo folder, and now it loads the full game. (I had bought the game a while back). Maybe it’s got something to do with it being a BSP file, as I did some altering of the BSP files in Dark Messiah. On the WINrar extraction software, it comes up with the DM logo as the file icon. Each time I’ve downloaded it from filefront
I’ve tried 5 times so far. Any suggestions?
4th October 2008
Okay, here’s what I think has happened. By editing the .bsp files you have associated them with DMMM. I presume that you have just clicked the bsp to play this mod. It’s not necessary to change the association back but it might make life easier for you. See below for details on how to do that.
Now, what you need to do to play this map is:
Launch Half-Life 2.
Open the console and type map snark_mfb01_round2_finger.
Press enter/return or click the submit button.
Play and thoroughly enjoy!
To change file association. I will assume that you are using Windows XP. Right click the file and under the GENERAL tab there is a section that says Open with and has an icon. Next to the icon is a Change button. Click this and navigate to your HL2.exe
It could be in a number of different places depending on your installation. Mine is:
C:/Program Files/Steam/steamapps/STEAMACCOUNTNAME/half-life 2/hl2.exe
Hope that helps.
19th November 2008
Good game, rather easy.
4th December 2008
That’s great you found this competition entry off of SnarkPit. I’m a moderator over at SnarkPit and the guy that conducted the round two portion of this particular competition. I’ve talked with Finger (Duncan) before and have been working on a continuing story for this map pack. It will use the EP2 engine, and everything will come packed together as a short SP mod. I have no release date yet…
I’ve only released a little bit of media for it, (trying to keep it under wraps), but I feel inclined to let you guys know that there is a continuation in the works.
For screenshots, visit this interlopers page here: http://www.interlopers.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=20301&p=238914#p238914
And for a quick YouTube video showcasing a WIP of the beginning intro, please go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpSZbo-OKko
5th December 2008
Thanks for the update Riven!Cant wait for it to be released.Please comeback and let us know the progress you have been making.
5th December 2008
I’ll be sure to do so!
5th December 2008
Oh yeah, I remember this Snarkpit competition many years ago. We got some seriously sweet entries!
Riven, you have been working on that map for top long, when are you going to finish it?
18th January 2009
Fantastic!-Really well done and fast paced action. The whole mod is well made and the small puzzles are good and the only downside is the length. Too short. Can’t wait for the rest of this one!
29th January 2009
I seem to be drawn to short mods. Like Powerstation 17, it does a great job of rebooting arenas to give completely different scenarios with the same map. There’s nothing not to love with this mod: great mix of combat, puzzles and environments. The world wants more!
9th March 2010
I think that this is the best combat oriented map I have ever played.
I was engrossed from the get-go. A bit short, but..
Challenging combat – outstanding visuals and well polished lighting – mapping was excellent – puzzles were ” fine ” – and the story line was simple, solid and clear. Nicely balanced all around ! I really hope there’s a continuation of this in the near future.
28th March 2010
This was quite fun.
I did find a place the mapper forgot to put a texture, but I wasn’t supposed to be up there anyway.
It’s nice to know antlion guards are good for something besides head-butting cars at me…
I didn’t think this map was too short, except that I do wish the author would add to it! However, life comes first.
25th April 2010
Just downloaded and finished this map. It was excellent! Very nicely done, and difficult in places (and playing on my fear of trains… thankewverymuch).
Has there ever been a continuation of this? It’d be very nice to see where it all winds up. Nice modeling, nice mapping, an excellent showcase piece.