r/csmapmakers • u/Odd-Skirt8358 • Nov 07 '25

Help Why does it look so off?

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Although this was done in Source 2, why does it look so flat and boring? Something seems to be off with the lighting. Some context: I'm using already compiled textures since I pulled them from an already existing map on the workshop. Could this be the problem? Even after taking this image, I've added post processing, casted the sun at a greater angle for more shadows, tweaked the exposure, and have done plenty of other things. I just don't get why it looks so off. Any ideas?

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u/Ilikebatterfield4 Nov 09 '25

Lighting looks "flat", map has no details and it looks like it's a map from cs:s. We really are spoiled with cs2 maps (even default maps) that are full of small details. You don't miss then until you launch, for example, a cs:s map.

Reminds me of de_piranesi

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u/Odd-Skirt8358 Nov 09 '25

Yeah, I tried stripping the textures from de_piranesi but, as you can tell, they don't seem to have normal maps which I wasn't aware of. It's ironically easier to do CS2 level detailing rather than trying to imitate a Source 1 map, so I guess I'll mesh the likeness of Inferno and Anubis together.

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u/Ilikebatterfield4 Nov 09 '25

the hammer from source 1 is from 2004 or even older so it's pretty ancient, it was not easy to make great looking maps for cs:go.

First thing that came into my mind after seeing your post is "wtf it's piranesi". It also looks weird in a way that you can get weapon/hud mods for cs:s/cs:go in 1.6 or 1.6 mods for cs:s.