Are Custom Maps Any Good?

   This is the question I asked my self when I started Ace of Spades the other day, so I figured I might as well find out. I joined and tried out a few servers running custom maps. First off something I already disliked is how the server browser does not tell you if maps are running a custom map or not. So I had to just try joining servers until one had a custom map. Once I was in, it was great!

The Urban Map
   The first custom map I tried was the Urban Map. This map takes place in a large city like area. It gets it's point across with a quite a few detail less buildings that are mostly different size rectangular prisms with holes blown into corners and sides of walls. In between the building was just a relatively flat grass layer and craters. The water layer instead was dirt at the bottom of craters. The map could have been so much more had the creator spent time on it. Sure it was fun but image actual streets, buildings with interiors, staircases, and windows. Yet the map was created within 24 hours after the map creating software came out so for its time frame it is quite good.

The map with buildings behind it.

Relatively empty areas between buildings.

Bridge Wars
    Bridge wars brings a whole new spin to Ace of Spades. Instead of being able to take the route you want to the enemy intel you are now separated by a huge gaping chasm that is sure to kill you. Sure you could try to place blocks to make a bridge across it but chances are, you will die. When the map starts there is a half constructed bridge in the middle for both sides. The sides will duke it out as they try to build the bridge and steal the enemies intel. However both sides of the map are simply flat and boring land.

The map showing the bridges and flat land.

The giant chasm and bridges.

The flat land on both sides of the map.

Cave Wars
   This map is simple yet fun. It takes the idea of "What if the map had a huge mountain in the middle of it" and implements it. The mountain however has a few natural caves that go through it. Now players must adapt to a new environment to fight in as they work there way through natural caves.

The map showing the mountain in the middle.

The mountain from the ground.

Inside the cave system.

So the answer is, yes, custom maps are extremely fun when done right! They can make the gameplay feel refreshing and new! So, tell me, do you enjoy playing on custom maps?