Quake 4 map review: "Time's Up."

Omaha and I play head-to-head Deathmatch Quake once in a while to let off steam. We've lost track of which maps we like best, so I'm going to review one we played recently now and then, to keep track of which ones we like. The first one is Time's Up by Shashank Uchil.

Time's Up is a big, symmetrical map of mostly open spaces, hovering in space. Like all space-oriented maps, if you fall off the edge, you die. The only weapons available are shotgun, rail gun, and rocket launcher, and there's lots of rifle ammunition as well. There are very long lines-of-sight. The main focus of the game is the very tall tower in the middle, accessed by two jump-pads at either end, at the top of which is the rail gun, and from which you can easily pick off opponents.

This map isn't meant for head-to-head deathmatch; it would probably serve better for four to eight players, because with just two it becomes a race to see who can get the rail gun and then rail their opponent. With multiple people, assaulting the tower armed with the rocket launcher certainly presents a more amusing round of free-for-all.

Overall, this self-described "little map" is exactly that: a little map without much to offer, a one-note amusement that will probably get tiring quickly. Its singular conceit is clever, but it is a singular conceit.