Kamikaze189
12-19-2007, 06:53 PM
A lot of you might be familiar with The Specialists (henceforth, just "TS"), and maybe even have played the zombie version of it. If you hate it, then read no further. If you are open minded, and think there may be a better zombie-like game than the CS:S mods, read on.
Personally, I think it is the most fun, zombie-ish wise, game sort of thing that I can remember. And I have played CS:S zombies.
I'm thinking about making an instruction guide, as well as supplying my own zombie-killing maps I've made, to setting up a server with 'em, but before I potentially waste my time doing that, I want to make sure there's any kind of demand. (Or maybe there's only demand for the maps. That'd be a big time saver, too. Just let me say, my maps are... hmm, how to put this... geometric? I won't win any mapping awards for them, but they were fun and, when I used to host, people did enjoy them. And I think you can only properly play the zombie gamemode if you are playing a map made for it. If anyone is interested, I can do a description of the maps.)
Anyway, here's kind of a comparison to L4D.
Similarities:
-A lot of zombies on screen at once (think about twenty or more -- quite a lot). They usually end up in big groups, too. The half-life one engine is pretty old now, so you know it'll run smooth if you're on a decent comp.
-The zombies run, swarm, and can jump through windows (if the player is standing beside it... okay, so I'm stretching it with that one. But it does happen!)
-The zombies are faster than the player. This is not totally the truth, though. There is a weight system in the game, so the more guns you carry, the slower you move. Zombies don't carry weapons, so they can outrun you. (Of course, it's often a good idea to throw your guns away if you think you can outmaneuver them -- but otherwise just give it up and go out guns blazing :D)
-Melee-ish sort of attack. Some guns have melee attacks. I don't recall which, but these attacks do knock-back the (only) guy you hit. In addition to that, if you have a gun and you press jump, you do a kick attack. I consider this similar enough, but you may not.
-Intense.
-The proper way to play TS zombies is like this: You spawn. You grab as many guns as you can carry and still walk with. You get together with your companions (5 companions is a good number). Your goal then is to move continually toward where the zombies are coming from -- killing them all the way.
The thing is, you won't usually succeed when doing this. People will die, ammo will run out, or you simply will be overrun. (Cowards drop their guns and run back to safety sometimes. No, no, I never did it! :P)
But once you do complete it, the zeds will be populating a different area of the map.
Not like L4D:
-Zombies know kung fu. Functionally, this isn't much different than them just beating on you. There are no grappling zombies or anything completely ridiculous -- they just knock your weapons out of your hands.
This would be a show-stopper for me, but considering that you can carry a lot of guns in TS, it isn't that big of a deal. If you are on your last gun, waltzing around in a dark corridor -- you deserve to be disarmed and beaten mercilessly. You should've gone back to HQ for more weapons. :P
So I consider it pretty balanced.
-Matrix-like stuff. The Specialists was obviously a matrix sort of game. There CAN BE, but does not have to be, all this matrix stuff, with a few exceptions. What can be turned off: Bullettime, high jumping, things like that. But note that I never turned most of these things off.
Here's what cannot, and I would say, should not even be desired to be, turned off: Diving, wall jumping, back-flips (also off of walls).
You might be scoffing. But let me tell you, there is nothing cooler than diving backwards just underneath a body-crushing giant metal door (right before it closes and saves your life), in slomo, blasting away at a horde of zeds... and then saying over mic to your shock/awed teammates, "Let's load up and then get back in there!"
-The maps. Gasp, who would have thought? Mr. Joe Schmoe's maps are not as good as somebody who gets paid. Just recognize that I made the maps for gameplay and performance. They do what they have to, which is provide some zombie-killing good times. :)
Couple other things before I hit post.
I'm on dial-up. It's doubtful that I could host this or even join in. (If it does catch on, you guys could fraps me something :D)
I haven't played CS:S zombies or TS zombies in a year or so. So I can't really comment on how the two compare currently. What I do know is that TS zombies were somewhat popular the last time I played -- but it was a really raped and screwed up version with the exception of my server and one other. If you get on a server with one of the base maps, and they're claiming to be playing TS zombies properly: THEY ARE NOT. At least, if you consider "proper zombies" to be the fun version and not the "lololkunfudmgametypez!!!111!!!1" which sucks.
http://www.specialistsmod.net/
If you want to get a feel for it, just do this:
-Download
-Start a game in Team Death Match. Set the teams to Seal;Merc;
-Use the buy menu to buy some guns before you spawn.
-Spawn with your guns.
-Open console and type "weaponrestriction 1" obviously without quotes. This is so the bots won't spawn with guns.
-Keep console open. Type the following:
"mp_limitteams 0"
"mp_autoteambalance 0"
I haven't typed those in a year, mind you, but they are something similar to those. If they're not mp_ then try sv_ before the rest.
"addcustombot Zed merc"
And note: if you're on the merc team, you should replace merc with seal.
Enter that addcustombot command, then press the up arrow and then enter. Do that twenty or so times until you reached your max player slots.
-Close the console.
-Go hunting for zeds.
Do note, however, that this is not the full enchilada! The maps, screaming friends, and better hordes of enemies make it a lot more fun. (EDIT: Also, in my maps there are guns you can pick up -- none of that weaponrestriction ******ge is necessary.)
Anywho, long post. Let me know if you guys have any interest.
Personally, I think it is the most fun, zombie-ish wise, game sort of thing that I can remember. And I have played CS:S zombies.
I'm thinking about making an instruction guide, as well as supplying my own zombie-killing maps I've made, to setting up a server with 'em, but before I potentially waste my time doing that, I want to make sure there's any kind of demand. (Or maybe there's only demand for the maps. That'd be a big time saver, too. Just let me say, my maps are... hmm, how to put this... geometric? I won't win any mapping awards for them, but they were fun and, when I used to host, people did enjoy them. And I think you can only properly play the zombie gamemode if you are playing a map made for it. If anyone is interested, I can do a description of the maps.)
Anyway, here's kind of a comparison to L4D.
Similarities:
-A lot of zombies on screen at once (think about twenty or more -- quite a lot). They usually end up in big groups, too. The half-life one engine is pretty old now, so you know it'll run smooth if you're on a decent comp.
-The zombies run, swarm, and can jump through windows (if the player is standing beside it... okay, so I'm stretching it with that one. But it does happen!)
-The zombies are faster than the player. This is not totally the truth, though. There is a weight system in the game, so the more guns you carry, the slower you move. Zombies don't carry weapons, so they can outrun you. (Of course, it's often a good idea to throw your guns away if you think you can outmaneuver them -- but otherwise just give it up and go out guns blazing :D)
-Melee-ish sort of attack. Some guns have melee attacks. I don't recall which, but these attacks do knock-back the (only) guy you hit. In addition to that, if you have a gun and you press jump, you do a kick attack. I consider this similar enough, but you may not.
-Intense.
-The proper way to play TS zombies is like this: You spawn. You grab as many guns as you can carry and still walk with. You get together with your companions (5 companions is a good number). Your goal then is to move continually toward where the zombies are coming from -- killing them all the way.
The thing is, you won't usually succeed when doing this. People will die, ammo will run out, or you simply will be overrun. (Cowards drop their guns and run back to safety sometimes. No, no, I never did it! :P)
But once you do complete it, the zeds will be populating a different area of the map.
Not like L4D:
-Zombies know kung fu. Functionally, this isn't much different than them just beating on you. There are no grappling zombies or anything completely ridiculous -- they just knock your weapons out of your hands.
This would be a show-stopper for me, but considering that you can carry a lot of guns in TS, it isn't that big of a deal. If you are on your last gun, waltzing around in a dark corridor -- you deserve to be disarmed and beaten mercilessly. You should've gone back to HQ for more weapons. :P
So I consider it pretty balanced.
-Matrix-like stuff. The Specialists was obviously a matrix sort of game. There CAN BE, but does not have to be, all this matrix stuff, with a few exceptions. What can be turned off: Bullettime, high jumping, things like that. But note that I never turned most of these things off.
Here's what cannot, and I would say, should not even be desired to be, turned off: Diving, wall jumping, back-flips (also off of walls).
You might be scoffing. But let me tell you, there is nothing cooler than diving backwards just underneath a body-crushing giant metal door (right before it closes and saves your life), in slomo, blasting away at a horde of zeds... and then saying over mic to your shock/awed teammates, "Let's load up and then get back in there!"
-The maps. Gasp, who would have thought? Mr. Joe Schmoe's maps are not as good as somebody who gets paid. Just recognize that I made the maps for gameplay and performance. They do what they have to, which is provide some zombie-killing good times. :)
Couple other things before I hit post.
I'm on dial-up. It's doubtful that I could host this or even join in. (If it does catch on, you guys could fraps me something :D)
I haven't played CS:S zombies or TS zombies in a year or so. So I can't really comment on how the two compare currently. What I do know is that TS zombies were somewhat popular the last time I played -- but it was a really raped and screwed up version with the exception of my server and one other. If you get on a server with one of the base maps, and they're claiming to be playing TS zombies properly: THEY ARE NOT. At least, if you consider "proper zombies" to be the fun version and not the "lololkunfudmgametypez!!!111!!!1" which sucks.
http://www.specialistsmod.net/
If you want to get a feel for it, just do this:
-Download
-Start a game in Team Death Match. Set the teams to Seal;Merc;
-Use the buy menu to buy some guns before you spawn.
-Spawn with your guns.
-Open console and type "weaponrestriction 1" obviously without quotes. This is so the bots won't spawn with guns.
-Keep console open. Type the following:
"mp_limitteams 0"
"mp_autoteambalance 0"
I haven't typed those in a year, mind you, but they are something similar to those. If they're not mp_ then try sv_ before the rest.
"addcustombot Zed merc"
And note: if you're on the merc team, you should replace merc with seal.
Enter that addcustombot command, then press the up arrow and then enter. Do that twenty or so times until you reached your max player slots.
-Close the console.
-Go hunting for zeds.
Do note, however, that this is not the full enchilada! The maps, screaming friends, and better hordes of enemies make it a lot more fun. (EDIT: Also, in my maps there are guns you can pick up -- none of that weaponrestriction ******ge is necessary.)
Anywho, long post. Let me know if you guys have any interest.