After downloading the maps on the first hour they were out and playing them for a while I have to say that I have mixed feelings about the new maps.

Old Bones is a great map hands down because I personally do better in maps with open spaces and more than one area to have firefights but I noticed that it is still a race to see who can get to the Longshot and the Boomshot. I have been in what two battles that did not involve the courtyard and those were inside the doorway to the courtyard. This map is great if you are outnumbered because there are enough places on the inside of the buildings to hide.

Ok now Raven Down I had to play a lot more to actually think it was any fun because at first I would have been happy if I had never played it again. No weapons? WTF? Even though the map seems about bigger than the Rooftops I still do not understand why the only thing you can pick up is the grenades. This level has nice, dark corners but with no weapons and not at least ammo for the ones you have, the only person who is going to do good on this map is the host and the grenade taggers and the lucky person left alive after a big chainsaw/shotgun match where everyone is within 2 feet of each other.

Both levels look nice (on my HDTV!!!) and you can't beat free which is good. If you want to have a good time on all gametypes you can't go wrong with Old Bones. Raven Down matches go by almost too fast and fills the map with gibs. If I had to give the maps a letter grade it would be a B.

[UPDATE]: After playing a good amount of matches on the new maps I have to change my opinion of Raven Down and Old Bones. I play a lot better on Raven Down and I like it a lot better than Old Bones despite the fact that there are no weapons to pick up. The main reason for this is because I like chucking grenades at people and racking up a crap load of kills. Old Bones I still can't get profiecient at for some reason and I think its that most battles take place in the courtyard and I do better inside the buildings.

[UPDATE2]: The new Hidden Fronts multiplayer map pack came out 3 May 07. Microsoft has forced Epic to charge people for new maps when they stated downloadable content would be free. I wonder why they would charge people $10 for 4 maps (!) instead of doing something cheaper. Does Microsoft set the damn prices too?!? Anyway all the maps are pretty big and they have finally put a map in that deals with the Imulsion plants. The only one I can't seem to stand is Bullet Marsh because it is REALLY,REALLY dark and although it is a nice touch that the kryll can attack you, they should just kill you like in single player. Gardens will be a favorite for a good amount of people because of it's wide open spaces and that nice environmental hazard of the gases that keep you away from the sniper and you got a Boomshot and a Hammer. My personal favorite is Process which take place in an Imulsion plant (finally!) and has the Torque Bow, Longshot, and Boomshot. Its what I think Raven Down should have been. Finally there is the Subway that has plenty of places to hide and at least 2 choke points to surprise people. In all, the maps are pretty good (except Marsh) and has at least the Lonshot and Boomshot on every one. Still don't know about the $10 price point...