Custom Map #409: Time Warp. By: Sorrontis

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This topic is for discussion of map #409: Time Warp


Author: Sorrontis
Size: 256x144

Desc:
What have you done? Why did you enter another Red-listed SSDI:ADD sector? *Error Error* Systems AI compromised. Packets Undeliverable. Controls Unable to ..... tzzzt HINT: Assign tech before un-pausing. After you unpause for the first time, no tech will grow (choose your tech carefully). HINT: You have 12 minutes to beat the map. Good luck.

[Sorrontis]

If you play this map. Do not save and load. The reverse time causes energy distribution issues on loading about 1 in every 5 loads (for me). I wasn't aware of this issue until after the uploading.

[planetfall]

I have to give this a 1.

Hard time limit + cannot save + needlessly powerful bottom right corner that probably needs seven hours of micromanagement to lathe the final emitter = recipe for disaster.

[Sorrontis]

I have to give this a 1.

Hard time limit + cannot save + needlessly powerful bottom right corner that probably needs seven hours of micromanagement to lathe the final emitter = recipe for disaster.

I'm surprised PF.... that first you would assume to a map of mine takes micromanagement  You know I'm all about that brute force. the Bottom right corner, takes about 1-2 minutes to clear with the following procedure:

(click to show/hide)

Amp Gem + DeathBuggy (the one with many cannons). Set cannons to target to struct. Blow a hole in struct.
Amp Gem + Combat Lathe takes care of the outer two emiters.
Change Deathbuggy cannons to particle targetting  to cover the last steps.
Ram particle rectangle with smaller ship to disrupt flow.
Bring Combat lathe inside rectangle (it's the perfect size!)
Destroy both the stunner & emitter. Done!

As for the lack of save, that was a mistake. There's a lot of things that can go wrong with a reversing timer. This was a cautionary tale of Sorrontis trying things he's not supposed to do
But don't feel bad, I gave it a 1 too!

[Oblivion]

But Y'll gave it one, someone gave it higher to make it a 2!

[ColonelSandersLite]

There's some technical issues here, but it's a good map.

General thoughts:
This is certainly interesting.  Being locked into a tech choice adds to the challenge.  I'm curious what other people picked.  It's sad that this map has problems, but the problems are really PFE limitations.  The biggest issue is that the score board just doesn't really work.  As it is, svartmess has the best time and I will never be able to actually post a better score than him .

My Rating:
10/10

My times (higher is better):
On the first run, I ran out of time when the last emitter was at half health...
3:01 (second run)
3:14 (third run)

Difficulty:
Tough, but not extreme.


Spoilery stuff:

(click to show/hide)

I went with omni reactors as my pick.  Is there a better option?

Just above, Sorrontis was saying to ram the particle rectangle and rush in the combat lathe.  I just warp the hq into the middle of the square.

[Sorrontis]

Glad you enjoyed it

[Johnny Haywire]

Yeah, even for someone who doesn't typically save games, it hurts not being able to save in this game.

I was on track to finish in about 5 minutes - I'd cleared everything but the stunner & one lower right corner emitter - when I foolishly rushed the big lathe ship along with everything else to take the emitter. I timed it wrong and instead of the little ships taking the hit, I lost the lathe. AND dropped the amp gem right in the middle so I couldn't warp the HQ in and finish it off.

And I'm guessing if I replayed the map and finished it in 5 minutes it wouldn't post the new score since it would be (as the game sees it) an inferior score.

I agree with ColSanders about the tech - here's my 5-minute solution:

(click to show/hide)

Omni reactor tech will allow you to rush the middle, so you (1) knock out the guns easily and (2) generate a lot of extra power early-game. I dropped the HQ on the right side to take the lower mine.

You collect an amp gem or two from the X land on the left. Once you get a gem your lathe can take out the emitters on the right pretty easily. No need to smash into anything.

If you want to play it safe, after you've killed the 2 closest emitters in the lower right corner, just warp your HQ in the middle and end it. You can (probably) get a better time by using your other ships as shields and dropping the double-lathe ship in there to finish stuff off.

[toolforger]

Map is broken. Omnis would build only halfway through, omni reactor would stop working after a while.
No wonder this map is getting low scores.
(It's also hard, but losing to bugs that simply shouldn't be there is just frustrating.)

[Sorrontis]

Hi toolforger, I'm surprised people still poke around at my older maps.

It is a broken map - I was doing things I wasn't supposed to do.
Do try to enjoy the brokeness, you'll get more of that from me in future maps !