I just downloaded and played this last week. It's the first Quake map I've played in quite a while, but *wow* it was good. Good to see you tried something different with your style too - not quite so obviously a "Vondur map" - and pulled it off really well.

Nice work Vondur! 

Glad you liked it Tyrann :D 

The above mentioned end fight was really challanging and brutal. At the end it was just me with an axe (ou of ammo) against two jumping spawns. Result: slimed just in front of the exit. And yes, map is really nicely designed.

PS: Sorry for not recording first run demo. 

Old news I know, but since the thread was brought to life again, I thought I'd post a link for the SDA speedruns:

http://speeddemosarchive.com/quake/mkt.pl?level:ac 

I remember this map from years ago and only now (6 years later) I have found the time to play it! I initially tried the map on easy skill level and found it good fun. I liked the architecture and it was well constructed with curved space everywhere. The final secret (The AI are watching you) was priceless, the icing on the cake for a well crafted level.

I tried the map on normal skill level and holy crap this map is hard as nails or as the title says cruel. There were certain gameplay mechanics that leave little for skill or planning and riding a lift up to a small platform surrounded by sword wielding crazy knights is one of them. It is surprising how few gameplay mechanics exist for Q1 and this map does not disappoint with the familiar pit and AI rain dance.

Overall I loved the map, the architectural style, the easy(normal) skill level was fun and the final secret was a real gem. :) 

I remenber very well this map and love it, now I have to play it again :\ 

sock u dug this out and actually played!

glad you liked it, weird it was hard on normal for you, i'd watch the demo to see your playstyle :> and yay for finding the secret :) 

demos! 

> It is surprising how few gameplay mechanics exist for Q1

this is probably my main point in Quake gameplay discussions for a couple years now.

Most seem to like it that way, though.

This map is still pretty cool of course. One of the maps that really inspired me to learn mapping - Vondur and RPG were my heroes :)

Nastrond by Vondur is also pretty good. Apart from the cool name. The map that made me adore RPG was "And all that could have been". RPG showed me his dopefish, and I was wooed. Come back RPG. 

just replayed tonight again, always in the edge of death but finish it on Hard :) with no deaths! 3/4 secrets and 190/190

fun blast that took me 41 minutes :)