Altar gemini remake

Altar is a remake of the classic Halo 2 map Gemini, itself a re-imagining of the Marathon map Duality.

When I started to make this map I wanted to somehow catch the psychedelic nature of Covenant themed maps so I tried experimenting with using pieces at different angles, trying to utilize their geometry in different ways, and making use of the surfaces that can have different colors set to them.

Eventually I started to realize how using the "glass" pieces gave the map a sort of cathedral aesthetic. I always felt that the original map had a sort of temple feel, so I gave up on going psychedelic and instead I went with the cathedral feel. I joked that it is now a church for the worship of the color purple.

I like to think of it as less of a church and more like a place of reverence where the devout of some unknown faith would flock for pilgrimages. The faithful would gaze in awe at the stone effigies, bow down before the idol, pray at the altar, and cleanse themselves in the mist of the waterfalls on the observation deck.

Just about everyone should know this map. It's a small map, so it is best for 2-8 players and is set up for most gametypes except for Invasion and Race. I went into the Halo 2 map and studied the flag, bomb, and territory placements and went from there when deciding where to place my own objectives. I had to leave out neutral flag and bomb because the map is just too small and the layout would give one team a serious advantage. I also studied the spawning points in the original as best as I could to aid me with this map.

I changed a few of the weapons because they aren't in Reach, and I changed a few just to add variety, tweak balance, and for the heck of it. I also tweaked the respawn times in order to keep powerful weapons like the shotty, sword, and focus rifle from over-dominating on such a small map.
Weapons:
Needle Rifle x2 (replaces Carbine)
Focus Rifle x1 (replaces Particle Beam Rifle)
Plasma Repeater x1 (replaces one of the Shotguns, just for variety)
Shotgun x1
Plasma Rifle x2
Needler x1
Assault Rifle x2 (replaces two of the Plasma Rifles, for variety)
Grenade Launcher x1 (replaces one of the Brute Shots)
Concussions Rifle x1 (replaces one of the Brute Shots)
Plasma Pistol x2
Overshield x1
Plasma Grenade x8
Energy Sword x1
Magnum x1 (replaces one of the Needlers, for variety)

The Idol

Curved Ramp

Shrine

The Effigy

One of the Ramp Halls

Behind The Idol

Cathedral

The Observation Deck

Baptismal Platforms

Stunning Vista

For Apt Audiences

Perches

Telly

Download: Altar