The Mystery of the Morning Wood

Plot

This level isn't so much a plot level as it is a showcase level. It showcases several interesting new ideas. The plot that there is tells us that a YT-1300 Freighter called the "Morning Wood" is half-sunk in a body of water, and you are to investigate.

Initial Comments

To me, this scenario is mosly unknown. I haven't heard much about, to the point that I know little even about the background! When I first downloaded it, I was dismayed to not find any sort of info as to the circumstances surrounding this mission or even what the commando's goal is.

Level Design

The level, albeit short, was fairly well designed and put together. No real clipping errors, except when the mission ends in the cockpit. There's a few places in the walls of the cockpit that can be shot through, but hey, you've already completed the mission, who cares! The whole point of the level is the new ideas that are shown in it. Some are really good. This level is worth downloading if only for these new ideas.

Level Dynamics

Enemy placement is pretty good and so is their number. The usual Stormtroopers and Death Star troopers are supplemented by guys sporting thermal detonators and some pretty powerful Gamorreans. As for power-ups, I blazed through the level the first time with a stormtrooper rifle and nearly ran out of ammo by the end of the level.

Second time through I finished the level with just my blaster pistol and had over one hundred shots left at the end. In this level, I believe there are only 4 weapons available in this level (including your starting weapon), 1 revive, 1 medi-kit, and scattered shields and ammo.

Level Atmosphere

The level atmosphere at times seems kind of bland, but has it's high points with a "McDarths" and an evil Gamorrean paddling around on a rubber ducky. Other than that, I had some trouble finding out what exactly my mission was and the mission end came somewhat as a surprise.

Overall Response

Overall, the mission comes off very well. It's good points include more enemies and better equipped ones (In most levels I think most enemies are too sparse!), while on the other hand the level is pretty straightforward. It's very hard to get lost on this level and it's not very challenging. However, for a beginning player, this can be a good thing! This level has got something for level authors too - new ideas for their levels. Worth downloading for sure!

Score

Design - 9
Dynamics - 9
Experience - 8

Total - 87%