The following are my thoughts on the latest map update, I will try and avoid comapring the maps as much as possible, but instead state my opinion on each one individually. I also will probably not be commenting on how well the map will do in terms of playability as that's not my area of expertise, I will instead be commenting on how well built they are and waht they respective teams might want to consider when doing maps in the future, these are only my opinions so take them as you will
I will start with Springfield SG: Taking a quick look through the thread it is clear that a loot of work has gone into the map, continually being updated, I remember it was posted a while ago, so kudos to Kithex for sticking with the build and seeing it through to the end. From the first image in it's thread I clearly see the map style doesn't appeal to me, (ref:
http://i.imgur.com/J1pmK8l.png) The texture pack doesn't aid this but I see far too many straight lines, either 90 degrees or 45 degrees. There is already too much quartz for my liking, I really... really dislike when builders use quartz in builds because it contrasts so much to the other blocks in the area when not used properly making it look garish and out of place. The entire quartz structure is an eyesore to me and that's because the quartz doesn't show any depth which you have put into the building, it makes it all one big blob of colour which just blinds you to the rest of the image. Some of the buildings just have blank panels of one block which are incredibly dull and are not good to look at as they are in no way dynamic, adding a little bit of depth could make all the difference in a wall looking good and looking bad. Fake depth is where you simply add half blocks (slabs stairs fences etc) to the outside of a building in the hope that it will make it look better. The sandstone house with has out of place quartz pillars (ref:
http://i.imgur.com/Wl6Pip0.png) Which are far, far to over detailed making the build look messy, completely cluttered and totally unappealing, there is some really cool stuff going on in the roof, I really like the use of depth. I also feel that the cobblestone walls detract from the windows making them look messy and unappealing. Often, keeping a build clean is better than over detailing. One way we like to think of it at DW is that each bit of detail needs to have a purpose, if you can't justify why it is attached to the house, it shouldn't be attached to it. For example What is the purpose of this messy array of fences and buttons?
http://i.imgur.com/0DifMLO.png I have no clue. Whereas on the white building on the left here
http://i.imgur.com/0DifMLO.png there are clearly window shelves which server a purpose, for putting pots etc, albeit this is not shown in the image. I think this point on over detailing and an attempt to add fake depth more or less summarizes some of the mistakes builders here often make here at mcgamer, it can be applied to many, of the maps on this server and those which have been posted in the finished map section. If you really want a good example of how a build which is simpler is better check out the following images (
http://static.planetminecraft.com/files/resource_media/screenshot/1444/18287957.jpgy and
http://static.planetminecraft.com/files/resource_media/screenshot/1520/tmw58918444.jpg )ou will notice that there is no excessive use of slabs or anything in order to "add detail" because that's not what detail is. I do apologize if it sounds like I'm flaming I'm not just take it as constructive criticism.
Green Grass: Most of the above also applies to green grass, in terms of quartz, detailing etc, but this time we have a new factor to consider. I recently saw this twitter post. Which has since been deleted comparing it to sg4, this map is nothing like SG4, it looks worse. Sorry. it just does. I will expand on this later but am devoid of time for now,