Can you make your way back and forth, up and down, between the glass walls, fizzlers, and faith plates without getting caught in a laser or discouragement field?

This short but challenging puzzle will require you to think through the right sequence of events, and force you to revisit area multiple times in order to make your escape.

Can you get out of the Rat Race?

v. 1.01 - Fixing a couple of early exploits
v. 1.02 - Fixed a couple of bugs/awkward elements. Made it prettier.

File Name: sp_rat_race_1.02.rar
File Size: 2.04?MiB
Rat Race

rat_race3a0000.jpg rat_race3a0003.jpg rat_race3a0002.jpg rat_race3a0004.jpg

I was able to use the faith plate to jump up to the windowsill and making a portal to the far end of the second level making the red button/ramp thingie on the first level useless. I think..

You can skip the glass breaking part easily.
Just jump like this:
http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/59469 ... 0BF24A889/
Or you can use the AFP to get a really clear view:
http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/59469 ... 7972336EF/
http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/59469 ... 470AE1ECC/

Also you should close this gap:
http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/59469 ... 5D8187D76/

I originally thought that might be a problem, but then I couldn't get the portal up there myself, so I thought it was ok. I should really have learned by now that other people are better at that sort of thing than I am, and exploit-proof the map against people who are, you know, good.

I adjusted it so the fizzler between the 1st and 2nd levels is always on, which I think should take care of the problem. Let me know if it doesn't.

I also fixed the gap that you called out, 2CAE7256. By the way, I think you win the award for "hardest username to remember".

Properly aligning textures and redesigning some of the non-puzzle structure would greatly improve this map's appearance. On the other hand, the puzzle elements themselves are great quality, especially with a map this small. Maybe on your next map, make sure your map structure 'fits' the textures for a more appealing look.

(tried the fixed version)
Another case of a puzzle bigger than the map it's in, reminded me of First Transcendental Building Course 02. Rich, but comparisons stop here: the skinning in particular is in a category by itself, and most of the structures bordering with the exit show missing geometry or nodraws. Fix that sloppyness and we'll have a deal.

If I may suggest, make the building's surroundings livelier and more coloured: get creative with checkerboards, add lights or even just signage (missing). Map's ludic, doesn't deserve the present fullblack treatment. Especially that bridge could be scrapped for something more animated - assembly line with office building aside?

You can also place a portal like this if you are jumping inside the pipe. I don't find it useful though.
http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/59469 ... F248682DA/

Alright, another map from the author of Switch Case! And I can certainly see the semblance - I really like your style. Now for my feedback...

The floor on the second level is really weird, like, you're not even standing on it but hovering a few feet above it. Also, shooting the portal under the glass wall to get the reflector cube felt a little sketchy; it makes one question the validity of the solution, if only for a fraction of a second (Is that an exploit? No, no, that's gotta be the solution..) I liked the afp sound, it sounded like you were getting whacked in the head with a wooden bat or something.

Overall good job, it feels like it's not quite yet complete though. It may just be me, but I feel it needs just one more layer of complexity and/or the visuals could use a little more detailing - I can't quite put my finger on it though.

Thanks for this map. Rather classical, sometimes a bit strange and like said others, sometimes you're not sure if the portal you made between two things was intended or if it was an exploit. Need to be more obvious and precise.
But the map was good. Nice level. I enjoyed it. Thanks.

I really liked that so much. Little map, lots of puzzles with not so much elements!

Really nice, liked it. 5 cakes.

The way down using the cube delivery tube is a bit ugly tho. It just looks like a black hole.

Thanks for the comments and feedback guys. I was definitely trying to be more "puzzly" with this map.

I admit to maybe rushing this map a bit -- my first one took me way too long to build, so I'm trying to get a little faster at mapping so I can release more often. I also had an idea for a third (series of) maps that I was eager to get to, so maybe I didn't spend the time finishing this one off that I should.

However, based on the fact that a lot of people commented on the detailing, and yet seemed to enjoy the puzzle itself, maybe I'll hold off on project 3 and spend more time on this one.

Complex and challenging puzzle - I didn't like having to search around to find out what was turned on or off by various actions in other places - eg laser barrier off. The map felt very cramped in a small space but it speeded up going back and forth - so it had a good result...can't have it both ways...thanks for creating - enjoyed it.

thanks for mapping

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portal bumping glitch
switch
*graphic

Version 1.02 is now available. Hopefully folks will like the looks a bit better this time around.

I also fixed a lot of the bugs, glitchiness, and awkwardness that you guys called out above.

Your feedback is definitely helpful; thanks again for taking the time to offer suggestions!

Well done with the updates, polish this to a mirror shine and you'll see if the future downloaders won't try your next releases as well.

I really enjoyed playing this map. The red button thing took me a while to figure out, but using the faith plate to fling the player through the glass was pretty innovative.

- TechOwl -

Thanks for this little but fine gem! Just as a note to future players: the naming of this mod does not mean it requires speed and/or accurate aiming or any other elements usually related to a "race". It does not.

I'm playing custom maps and record my first time of playing them. So the run is not perfect and may not use only intended ways, but maybe it can let you see how other people may understand the map or you could just enjoy someone playing this map for entertainment.
Anyways, here is the recording:

bSy68D0fnp8
(Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSy68D0fnp8)

Also note the video description for more feedback and my signature for additional project information.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Glad you enjoyed it.

It's a small and standard map, and fun to play. To beat the map you need to wander around these rooms and work out how the mechanic works. I like the way you use your body to broke the glass and the way you get down through the pipe.
In general, flawless design! 5/5!

Really nice map. A true thinking puzzle. Will look forward to more of your maps.

Thanks for the map, really good fun, if a little short. I could happily play a small-room level like this that was 10x bigger

Perhaps Rat Maze would be the better name for this map?

I'm trying to play through all the single player maps, at least 5 a day. This was to be my last for today, and I was dreading it from the title. Fortunately, there was a lot of rat and no race! Somehow, I made it through without backtracking even once, so either the puzzle is easy (not really), I'm that good (really not), or I'm lucky (yeah, that's the ticket!) I enjoyed playing it, but I would like to see a little more polishing on the visuals. Buildcubemaps! 4/5 from me.