Architectural Design

  This level contains two main antechambers that connect at the base by a wide
hall. They are also connected by two wrap-around tiers that provides an excellent
3D playground. DFA is not too prevalent here as fighting usually takes place in
the bottom, but skirmishes do frequent the hallways. It is fun however to toss
some rockets down below from on high. The structure is very solidly built. Proper
stanchions are augmented by miscellaneous links that line the upper-reaches.


Atmosphere & Lighting

  The ambience is very well done. Appropriate sounds are functionally arranged &
integrates rather well in this station. All lighting is sourced & their intensity
plays well with the textures throughout. The level is set utilizing the space-skybox.
All said, the immersion is unique in that you actually feel confined in deathmatch.


Style & Textures

  The Confessional is one of the best maps I've seen laid with the standard base-
textures. I ran across a few misalignments but they don't stand out much as you're
running by. Theme runs strong in this level & the detail really adds an air of
professionalism while not hampering gameplay. All the different textures look well
together & they are consistently placed in the level.


Weapons, Ammo, & Items

  The dual Rocket Launchers complement the placements in the bottom. They seem
to have a balancing affect without the induced feeling of being over-powered. The
GL is ideally situated up above & overlooks the sprawl below. You'll also find a CG,
SSG, & RG which finishes off the armament.

  Ammunition is abundant & you don't need to go too far in order to stock up.
There is a bandolier & backpack available to give you that extra-load. Placement
of the ammo is excellent. You'll find some accompanying each respective weapon in
packs of one or two & scattered about the level with varying ammo-types as well.

  One Mega-Health overlooks one of the atriums & is easily obtained by jumping
from the top-tier. There is a Combat Armor adjacent to each RL in the bottom, &
one Body Armor, Jacket Armor, & Power-Shield up in the hallways. There is also a
single Adrenaline to help you along as well. Health packs are not very abundant
though but this is a nice balance to the aforementioned items.


Balance & Gameplay

  Flow in this level stood out from the beginning. Even in the wide-halls that run
around the atriums, connectivity is very good. When you couple that with the tiers
spilling out over the atriums themselves, you've got a great run-about. Certainly
though, traveling upwards is a bit slower than down. Four lifts are provided, two
on each level that provide further speed gameplay or provide that much needed
escape.

  This connectivity makes for some effective firefights. Large enough to support 4+,
it seems as though you're always running into someone face-to-face when you
least expect it. One-on-one style games are a little slow even tiresome at times.
Your best bet is to fill this puppy with at least three targets.


Technical & Presentation

  Unfortunately, there are three instances of appearing & disappearing brushes.
One is near the SSG; if you look up, a brush pops into view where it shouldn't be.
The other is also near the SSG but is one tier up. The nasty HOM-effect rears its
ugly head but for a moment by the ceiling. The third is also on the ceiling near the
adrenaline & is also the HOM-bug.

  R_speeds average between 250-300 & top 500. Phenomenal job there for such
a great-looking level. Clip-brushes were implemented perfectly. Documentation
left alot to be desired though. Compilation-info was not included & the rest
was somewhat disorganized.


Conclusion

  The Confessional has been a personal favorite of mine for awhile now. That is,
until I ran across Chapter-4 from the same author. Even though it looks great &
plays very well, I think I'll give Chapter-4 a try instead. They look similar but
with different layouts. The Confessional is starting to fall from my favor with all
the bugs I found in it. But nevertheless, if you want an sweet-looking level that
brims with action, I do indeed recommend this map... A-