When I first read the text file
and it said that the set of maps I was about to play was a tribute to the
90's maps, I was like ..... what????? uggggg. Ok. So, I fired up Risen3d and
created myself a batch file to load the sound file (why didn't the author
just include it in the wad?) because my version of risen3d can only load one
external wad at at time. ???? Anyway, before I discuss the first part of the
project, I just want to make a comment on the music - 70's porn at it's best
in my humble opinion. It was awesome! :-)
Final
thought before the review - and keep the music in mind (the sound file also
includes things like ricochet sounds for bullets and such) - this entire map
seems to be designed with fun in mind - from the cartoony graphics in the
menu's to the ridiculous 70's porn music, this map just wants you to have
fun - so have some fun!
Design: 10 (daddy
wants more!)
i don't normally bestow a "10" on many maps - very, very, few in fact, but
this map roundly deserves it. No - there were no "cool" 3d effects or see
through doors or any of the other stuff that I really should be seeing in
modern maps (is anyone designing truly 3d maps these days?) but the design
was absolute genius. i'm not even exaggerating. the author designed a well
thought out map that absolutely worked! and, it looked good to boot! all the
textures worked well together - creatures were hidden in such a way that
you're sitting there going - where the F*** is that chaingun fire coming
from? you'll discover it - trust me. all you have to do is look at the
pictures. it is obvious that the author put some thought behind this map and
when you play - oh my god - genius. nuff said
one
last thought - the author chose to add a gratuitous first map in the
mix which essentially challenges you to do nothing but reach the switch and
get to level 2. don't get it, but you can do it in less than 20 seconds and
then get to the real fun.
Difficulty: 8
certainly not the most difficult map you're going to play this year but it
was plenty difficult on uv and often times i found myself low on ammo (and
health) but i muddled through, saved often and attempted to use the right
weapon at the right time so i didn't end up wasting precious ammo on a
lesser creature that i could kill with a lesser weapon. regardless, i was
fragged often and between the revenants and the spiders and the unwashed
masses of chaingunners, revenants, imps, etc... i had my hands full. map 2,
the real map, opens with you holding a handgun and looking at a bunch of
soldiers and imps. there is a shotgun in the middle of the room and a baron
to your right outside of your room and above you. ignore him for the time
being - just keep moving. much like a dm map, you don't want to stop moving
or you will be dead. count on it. after that initial battle to gain control
of the situation, you can pretty much work your way methodically through the
map and the bestiary. and, while it is linear in a fashion, it doesn't feel
linear - if you get my drift. anyway, enjoy the battle. there are three more
maps that go with it. i'll be reviewing them separately. enjoy!
Playability: 9
i gotta tell you, there aren't many maps that hold my interest for very
long. either they are way too difficult or the design is boring or they just
plain suck. this map is just difficult enough on uv to keep you moving and
is also just a flat out well planned map. i would go back to this in a
heartbeat after awhile just to experience it again - yes, it was that much
fun to play!
Overall: \it's a keeper
if you'
consider yourself a doom god - you might want to go with nightmare, but for
the rest of us, this is a really fun map on uv that will probably have you
swearing (repeatedly) as you load your last save but in the end - totally
worth every minute you spend in this particular doom universe.