[b]by Cunbelin[/b]: After a week long chase involving tranquilizer guns and unspeakable acts in his local park, Cunbelin has been returned to his writing desk, where he was poked with sharp sticks until he once again wrote an update. See the insanity unfold in HaloCE/HEK Update Number 2!
[b]The Prodigal Updater Returns with Another Edition of HaloCE Madness[/b]
Well nothing like starting out with dirty, dirty, LIES. Sketch and Frankie have shown me the error of my ways and now I must beg forgiveness or there will be more punishements, many many more. I apologize for my lie of weekly coverage, rather than give you stupid excuses let us just accept that for now there will be bi-weekly updates. Secondly I apologize that several of my links that worked when the post went up then in the course of time went down or moved. To make up, check out this snazzy updated resource link from the [url=http://gbxforums.gearboxsoftware.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=211853&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1#211853]gearbox
forum.[/url] I hope that you will accept my apology that some of the sites became unavailable and I hope that you won't hold down-time against otherwise great sites.
So lets get down to business - First up lets talk new maps, there has been an explosion of maps in recent weeks, and as much as I'd love to tell you about each and every one I'm going to have to limit it to three.
[b]Frost[/b]
Frost is a fairly large map, and it is one of the most polished maps I've seen. It uses existing textures and scenery to great effect and extends them well. One interesting feature is the inclusion of colored teleporters. My only real complaint is the use of the teleporter exit scenery item to designate a teleporter to the "garage". Another great map from Baka. You can grab it [url=http://haloworld.halocity.org/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownloaddetails&lid=34&ttitle=Frost]here.[/url]
[b]Halcyon[/b]
I'll get right to it, Halcyon isn't your standard Halo map, it has a feel more like a traditional FPS CTF map. It basically consists of a long hallway with some cover that connects the two bases, it also includes some side passages as well. The texturing is a little different than what you usually see but it works, and works very well in my opinion. It doesn't have quite the polish of some maps but it is just good old fun to play. If you are looking for a little change from the standard halo maps you should really give halcyon a try. You can grab it [url=http://haloworld.halocity.org/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownloaddetails&lid=93&ttitle=Halcyon]here[/url]
[b]Fissure Fall[/b]
Fissure fall is a solid map with lots of little nooks and crannies to explore, the only thing I can fault the map for are a few texture issues, though I expect most times you'll be too busy killing other players to notice them. The map itself is a little reeling when you first start exploring, but it's mostly symmetric design should allow you to fairly quickly understand the map. Fissure fall has some of the most impressive architecture I've seen in Halo, that includes single player. For some intense CTF action in some impressive architecture with some mind boggling Z axis elements, check out Fissure Fall. You can grab it [url=http://haloworld.halocity.org/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownloaddetails&lid=90&ttitle=Fissure_Fall]here[/url]
These are just a small sampling to whet your appetite, to get more check out [url=http://haloworld.halocity.org/]Haloworld[/url] hosted by halocity.org.
Alright there's the released maps, lets check out a few maps in production now soon to be available for your enjoyment.
[b]Camtrack Arena[/b]
Camtrack is a beta map that seems to be perpetually in production, this has echoes of blood gulch, but has a feeling all it's own. You can grab the beta from [url=http://haloworld.halocity.org/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownloaddetails&lid=13&ttitle=Camtrack_Arena]here.[/url]
You should know that this is indeed a beta, and it does have gameplay issues, but I thoroughly expect you will enjoy it even in it's incomplete form.
[b]Zanzibar[/b]
If it works, steal it, that's what I always say! Clearly taking my advice not one but two teams are in the process of bringing the E3 hit map Zanzibar to HaloCE. If you aren't familiar with Zanzibar I suggest checking out this great article on it [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?story=secretzanzibar]here.[/url]
From personal experience I can tell you that Zanzibar is one solid map. One of the teams has released an update. Check it out [url=http://gbxforums.gearboxsoftware.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=227898&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1&vc=1]here[/url].
Once again I will have to apologize as I'm out of time, well not so much out of time as the blood level is too high in my caffeine system. I promise next update I will include two really cool tidbits on the HEK, but for now you will just have to settle for a couple new resource links.
For extended documention on the HEK check out this [url=http://wiki.fpsgamers.se/index.php/Halo/HomePage]page.[/url]
Hosted by [url=http://www.fpsgamers.se/]FPSGamers.se[/url]
Another great map site, recently updated, and the host for all the feature maps today [url=http://haloworld.halocity.org/]Haloworld.[/url]
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[i]If you missed Cunbelin's first update, you can check that out [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?story=HEKupdate]here![/url][/i]