One update that I didn’t mention in the Pyro update post is the changes made to ctf_well. When ctf_well first came out, it was a direct translation of cp_well, but with removal of first spawns, and intelligence added at each teams end capture point. When this map was released, i was really excited about it. I mean i loved cp_well, so a ctf version should be just as bad ass. Wrong.

Why was ctf_well so bad? Because was one LONG ass ctf map. I mean the travel time from intel point to intel point was massive. This caused two problems. The first is that when you have that long of a travel point you get used to your intel NOT being in your base. You just assume it’s either at large or dropped somewhere you don’t care about. The second problem is that the large size of the map got rid of the intensity of getting intel from one base to the other. On 2fort for example, if you have a well organized team an enemy trying to cross the bridge with your intel should have one hell of a fight waiting for them.

What Changed

What changed with the new version of well? The biggest alteration is the removal of the middle building and the subsequent removal of the middle water to that building and an overall shortening of the map. The removal of the middle building is great idea for this map. Now, there is a much sorter, straight shot between each of the spawn buildings, making a great zone of carnage in the middle (with, mind you, still a train rolling in and out at random intervals). The removal of the water path was also great, although now spies might lament because they no longer can get to the enemy intel completely with a minimum of enemy interactions. The removal of the middle train station also gave them the ability to shorten the entire map, which is so helpful. It creates a sense of urgancy and excitement when your intel is taken, because you know there are limited paths to take it back. You feel like you have the ability to hunt down the intel thief, and defend your intel long enough to return it to where it belongs: in your base!

Overall, I’m really pleased with this map’s update, but unfortunately i think its already poor reputation amongst players might keep people from realizing how much fun this map actually is.

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 6th, 2008 at 1:48 pm and is filed under Reviews, Team Fortress 2. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.