Alright, guess it's about time for oBe's review.
Ze pro's and ze con's:
'bout the new startlevel:
+ I love jails
+ this one is another one with absolutely fantastic atmosphere. I got killed by the car fifteen times in a row, before I knew what to do, but as soon as I saw the exterior I knew it was great. The streets, the broken lamp posts, the moths, the unreachable places, it all breathed mood.
+ some real nice details here and there, like the moth's shadow by the lamp posts.
- the push switch -> fight enemies got old very quick, also the enemy placement didn't make sense all the time. I can't grasp my mind around gargoyles in indoor enviroments, but I take these things maybe a tad too serious.
- you do fantastic things with colour and fog that add's a new feel to the game. However, as a purist, it doesn't always feels like Blood. There's not so much a fun-element in there, no easter eggs, no movie-enviroments, etc. But seeing I'm also a qualityaddict, I forgive you.
=All in all, a fantastic new Blood level that takes the game the a new level (no pun intended)
*spoiler about the end level*
'bout the squid:
+ I love squids as well
+ moving tentacles!!
+ new, enviroment based boss
- kinda boring symmetric enviroment
- I'm not the best player around, but beating this oversized seacreature was impossible for me
Overall:
+good call on making the new level the first level, it gives a new feel to the whole
- however, one quickly realizes Carnage is still more or less the same.
=Which brings me back to the reason I didn't fancy it that much before, being the shiftings in quality. I haven't taken a really in depth look yet, for this exact reason. My fear one new level wouldn't equal a new game kinda came true.
Another thing I noticed, is the lack of level-continuancy, very few levels lead into each other, which makes me reach my final conclusion, that I'd think you'd be better off making stand alone levels, that or you need to think out a simple game plan in advance. Don't get me wrong though, I'm very pleased with the update.