For what it's worth, I've just seen a recent build of altair by KFDM and my main complaint about it: TOO BRIGHT! So it's really going through a lot of changes. He's definitely trying to fix up the lighting and make it as playable and enjoyable as possible. In fact, I don't think I can recall seeing a mapper this involved and active in improving their map.
Is that maybe because it's the worst map ever to be given official status. I really wonder about who playtested it (Hives, r_speeds which in some areas were ridiculous). I've read a lot about what's been changed but I still think the general look of the map is lacklustre in terms of brushwork and textures, the lighting's another matter.
I will say that it has a good atmosphere: original and involving, which is the one thing you need to get right from the very start of a new map. I'm also looking forward to seeing his sub world model get finished. It looks great but last thing I heard it still needed meshing and skinning.
I'll quote this because it made me laugh -lots- even if it was unintentional.
I would definitely like to see more of ns_altair.
My least favourite maps are as follows:
ns_altair explained above
ns_veil (a.k.a. ns_dblres) perhaps due to being overplayed, any round I play on this map gives me terrible deja vue...
ns_eclipse perhaps due to being overplayed, any round I play on this map gives me terrible deja vue...
Hate's a strong word but I come pretty close when I think about some of these areas:
ns_agora There's a section very close to Marine start that has an RT triangle that's very easily holdable...(ftw!)
ns_ayumi One Hive has only one Onos-friendly exit that gently slopes down to the most Marine-friendly siegepoint I've ever seen, with LoS to the Hive???!!!111
-although my rage is usually dampened when I think about the vents and weldable areas, and then there's the blue and the brushwork...aaaah.
[Edit]I'm also glad that
co_50mHivecamp was changed to eliminate the Hive LoS. It's now a very playable map (if the MS is a tad on the small side).