lately i have been addicted to a mod of the worlds best PC game, HL2 and i would like to spread the good word so that all you guys can get in on this excellent twist on an already excellent video game.

the mod:


the game:
Half Life 2

the arena:
the all great internet

the review:
now i am not a huge fan of changing many things my most favorite video game and when i heard that there were MODs available i didn't want to even consider the possibilities. however certain aspects of this particular mod have made me see things in a different light all together.

basic game play:
the basic game play is similar to the multilayer version of HL2, HL2 Deathmatch, with a few exceptions that facilitate the specialities that this mod requires. sourceforts is a capture the flag version of HL2 DM on crack. each team has a flag of their own to guard from the other team. most of the battles consist of an arena set in similar HL2 scenery. the only thing that this mod has that sets it apart from most if not all of the other capture the flag HL2 mods is that you can build your own base.

each side has a place where they can spawn or have a stock pile of blocks and flat pieces to build a base from and it is in this particular feature that the other players creativity, or lack thereof, becomes visibly apparent. each game starts out with both teams on their own side with a gravity gun (a tool that is used to place and toss the building pieces), and with the stockpile of blocks or a control panel to create them. the battlefield is seperated with a large force field that prevents the teams from pre-mature attack. both teams also have a set amount of time to create their forts (set by the admin) usually 300-400 seconds. after that time is up the players are re-spawned back to the starting point with the weapons for their particular class of soldier and the forcefield is removed. the battle phaze usually lasts for about 400 seconds (again set by the admin) at which time the teams can attack each other.

there are 5 types of soldiers avalable to the sourceforts mod.
Scout: the fastest class, and the only one that can fire when sprinting. All other classes have the stunstick as the melee weapon, but the Scout has the crowbar. Speed is all he's got going for him, with normal health, very little armor, and the mildly effective SMG.
Soldier: Has the AR2 (combine rifle). He's got the most armor at 75, but he's the slowest class. the third
Builder: Can repair their own team's blocks as well as "capture" enemies' in order to break down opposing walls. Primary fire on the gravity gun during Fight Phase repairs blocks, instead of shooting them, so the builder wont be a super-class at close range. The Builder has the gravity gun and shotgun.
Rocketeer: Armed with rockets and mines.
Sniper: Armed with the crossbow, has 75 health, no armor, and isn't very fast. This is so snipers are forced to actually take sniper roles. It's a good class for supporting flag cappers and clearing the midfield from a distance.

the conclusion:
this is an excellent mod with well thought out game play and rules. it would be nice if there was a vote kick system so the users could remove teh flame tards from their team who insist on destroying their own base. i am assuming that this will come along in a later release. all in all this mod takes the cake as far as letting the users of HL2 excersie their team planning and coordination skils as well as their defensive and offensive planning abilities. every round is different and unique because the players change constantly.

final score:
(5/5) MOST EXCELLENT MOD!