Levels by Kruel |
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Among all the works I know of the Descent 2 level designers, in my eyes Nick Herres' a.k.a. Kruel's levels stand out huge. Kruel proves a keen eye for details, a great sense for texturing and lighting and and awesome capability to create stunning and complex three dimensional worlds with simple structures, never losing the focus on the whole. There are quite a few very good Descent 1 and 2 levels out there, but no other level designer's works continue to impress me as much as those of Nick Herres.
At first, I did not intend to dedicate a page of my Descent site to one single level designer, but Kruel's
levels filled up half of my Level Spotlight anyway, and that started to be a bit unfair to all the other
quality levels there.
Click on the images for a visual impression.
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ComplexoComplexo. When I first saw this level in the level editor, it made me think of Kruel, but not quite ... it lacked the usual clarity of his levels, but looked like being heavily inspired by him in structural complexity, texturing and lighting. Well, I was close: This is 'Kruel's way complex level'. D'oh. :D It's a level to marvel at with its mixture of Aztec temples, wild cave rivers and high-tech areas. Very complex indeed.
KaffeinatedKaffeinated is a multiplayer level made by Kruel. It features the fantastic architecture, texturing and lighting I like Kruel's levels for. I have heard people say that his texturing scheme may look great, but it's the only one he has. Well, you got to get to such a great texturing in the first place!
 Actually, Kruel uses several color schemes throughout this levels and blends them together very well and tastefully. A good blend of halls and hallways should make this level a blast to play. Download and enjoy.KataclysmKataclysm is a joint effort of Kruel and Nirvana. Each of them contributed two levels to this multiplayer levelset, and a fifth once was built by both of them. The readme file leaves it to the beholder to judge who built what ...
This levelset very much bears the handwriting of Kruel, but while I usually don't like Nirvana's levels even if they may play very well, he did a great job here together with him. So make sure to stop by and take a look or even two. 
#1 KilithiumA rather flat level with mostly low halls and hallways and a few surprising twists and turns along some nifty decoration.
My guess: Built by Nirvana. Kilithium3D view 
#2 KorpseThis level offers large open spaces for long range, heavy artillery battles, but of course a few tunnels to connect everything and get away in. Some really nice architecture.
I'd say this level was made by Kruel. Korpse3D view 
#3 KollaborationYou start out in a room with the stunning pillar and support architecture you've come to know from Kruel. There's lot of vertical space in this level, and the start is not the only impressive location here. The whole level breathes Kruel, but if examined close it looks like two pieces that fit each other very well though they are of different making put together.
I trust the level's name and say this was a collaborative effort of Kruel and Nirvana. Kollaboration3D view 
#4 KannibalsThis level has a very simple layout with a really huge hall, connected by huge shafts with ... ummm ... huge halls.
This sounds like a huge level, but actually it should be very very well playable. Clearly made by Nirvana (unless Kruel chose to disguise himself). Kannibals3D view 
#5 PhoeniciaI am always perplexed how Kruel manages to put 6 different textures at the sides of a single room and make it not just look good (which is already a challenge), but awesome. This is such a level. Kruel proves his tremendous sense for large scale and small details here again. This level is a sight to behold.
Kruel made this - who else? Phoenicia3D view 
Klash Of The ElementsAt the first glance, Kruel's Klash Of The Elements doesn' share the sophistication of many of his other works, but take a second look.
Klash is a very irregular level and a successful attempt to create a naturally shaped volcanic environment. Even the custom textured reactor looks like a crystal. With it's countless interconnections it's a tunnel rat's heaven. Another awesome product of the master.
KonfuzedKonfuzed is another level made by my favorite level designer. You could say it's more of what Kaffeinated already offers, more of the same, so to speak. But what speaks against more greatness, alright?
 I think Konfuzed looks even better than Kaffeinated, but see for yourself.
Kool KaveKruel built this level to honor Koolbear for his work at the time. In Kool Kave, Kruel's extraordinary talent as level designer really shines, whether in the large main hall featuring a 'mouth' with fangs in its middle, or in the ice cave contained in its underbellies. Both structure and texturing of this level are a class of its own. Kool Kave contains robots, and though its primary purpose is not to offer a single player mission, it's as polished gameplay wise as design wise. Kruel built a revised version of Koolkave later, which I have included in the zip file. Download and see!
Konflikt At KaronKonflikt At Karon is the most stunning single player mission for Descent 1 and 2 I have ever seen. It somewhat reminds of Half-Life 1, and Kruel, the author, states that it was indeed inspired by HL1. Again, Kruel pulls off some extraordinary architecture. Custom textures, custom robots, even custom goals all over. This mission sets a new standard for D2 single player in its every single aspect.
#1 Toro StationToro Station composes KaK's first level. It looks like caves carved into a glacier by streams of water. Find some stunning architecture and (for the engine) incredibly naturally looking areas.
Toro Station3D view 
#2 PTMC FearonFrom Toro Station you will proceed to the PTMC Fearon. You will have to make your way through air ducts and find switches to get access to the various areas of the Fearon. Very techy, space station look fits the level's theme perfectly. Hello Half-Life 1.
PTMC Fearon3D view 
#3 Ghost MineWhen you're done with the Fearon, you will find yourself in the Ghost Mine. As the name says, it is an abandoned mine, and you have to make your way through it to its broken down comm station. I was muttering to myself 'this is cannot be' over and over when moving through this level. Kruel built some incredible architecture here, with a train tunnel with tracks, where a boulder blocks your way, forcing you to pass through the rocks of a lava pond on to broken down man-made installations, where blocked doors and debris again require you to find your way around the obstacles. Hello, more Half-Life 1.
Ghost Mine3D view 
#4 Main GeneratorOnce you have broadcast your emergency call to your base, you need to find the mine's generator and somehow get out of the whole place. Like in Half-Life, KaK's last level contains a part of the previous one, giving even more credibility to the whole mission. Find a custom boss robot and again some stunning sights here.
Main Generator3D view 
Kritical Mass Testing LabsKritical Mass Testing Labs looks like a precursor to Konflikt At Karon: You have a mine resembling a 'real' location, with passages blocked by broken doors, forcing you through air ducts, Half-Life style. The reactor room looks very much like the one from Konflikt Of Karon. Yet Kritical Mass Testing Labs has its own distinct style and layout and is definitely something new and different. As usual everything is top notch and meticulously built, textured and lit.
Kryllidian KrusadeKryllidian Krusade is a 5+1 level single player mission. Stunning architecture and great texturing make for awesome environments again. Custom bots will give you a run for your money. Highly recommended.
Overall 
#1 Aquarius Asteroid BaseThis is a mixed environment: You start in a somewhat techy, man-made area and end up between rocks and lava.
Aquarius Asteroid Base3D view 
#2 Web Works Power PlantThis level reminds a little of a laboratory by its shape and environment.
Web Works Power Plant3D view 
#3 Fervid FallsA mix of water and lava together with some great architecture and level flow make for a thrilling experience.
Fervid Falls3D view 
#4 Vanadium Volatile MineThe most impressive level of the series. Kruel beat himself with what he built here. Descent goes Half-Life and Doom.
Vanadium Volatile Mine3D view 
#5 Kryllidian Kore BaseA rather simple, yet great done level holding the final boss.
Kryllidian Kore Base3D view 
#6 Kallipso Ammo DepotKKR's secret level. Rather small, and a few tough nuts to crack to get to all the gadgets stored here.
Kallipso Ammo Depot3D view 
Krystal Ice KavernsKrystal Ice Kaverns is yet another stunning level set by Kruel. He is using his most common color scheme here, using mainly green and mauve pastel colors. As usual, he proves a tremendous sense for scale and details with these levels. Krystal Ice Kaverns 2 is the more impressive level of the two, but you'll find them both in the zip file.
Overall KunningKunning is a four level set. I consider it the apex of his multiplayer level design. Each level features a unique theme using a unique texturing scheme, so there you have it.
Download the level set using the link at the side of this text. Find the level descriptions below.Overall 
#1 RekaffeinatedAs the name already suggests, it's heavily inspired by Kaffeinated, using similar structures and texturing. It's a small, symmetrical level that breathes multiplayer with every cube.
Rekaffeinated3D view 
#2 Bloodthirsty PyromaniacsIt sports a dungeon theme, using a lot of custom textures, like skull emblems, torches, and tortured hostages in cages. Bloodthirsty Pyromaniacs is probably the most elaborate and stunning level Kruel has ever built (apart from Kool Kave). The highlight among a lot of amazing structures is a skull protruding from one wall of the level, with the mouth being a tunnel access. This is one heck of an awesome level!
Bloodthirsty Pyromaniacs3D view 
#3 Kastle of the EclipseThis level features a castle complete with towers, yard, bridges, gates and castle moat. Needless to say that is almost completely custom textured.
Kastle of the Eclipse3D view 
#4 Kannibal KanyonAs the name suggests its theme is a Kanyon, and it's very well executed with its sometimes wide, sometimes narrow rivers flowing through steep palisade walls. Kruel even managed to give this level a sky showing storm-ridden clowds moving across, and the claustrophobic canyon environment and flashing lighting give you the eerie feeling of moving through a haunted and sinister place, where nameless horrors lurk around each corner. This is a great tunnel rat level where surprises will be the rule.
Kannibal Kanyon3D view 
Sun PalaceLooking at this level, I wondered whether this could be another one of Kruel's productions, although it didn't have that typical 'K' as its title's initial letter. A look in the text file accompanying the level told me: Yes, it was yet another cool level from Kruel, featuring a monument he set for himself (you will find out what that means when examining the level
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