Title : Countdown to Extinction
Filename : ticktock.wad
Release date : 04/29/2014
Author : Obsidian
Email Address : themordicant@gmail.com
Other Files By Author : Search "Author: Obsidian" in the archives
Misc. Author Info : First played Doom at the age of 7 on a Windows
98 computer with no speakers.
Description : 32 maps for vanilla Doom, each one made in one
hour over a period of 3 weeks. Bear in mind that
all of these maps were designed for pistol start,
so be prepared for a rough ride on continuous
play.
Story : The demons have tried a new tactic: instead of
fully occupying Earth, they've started to place
high-powered Entropy Devices in several different
places around the world. If so much as one goes
off, demonic corruption will spread over the
earth and obliterate all intelligent life. You
have been selected to combat this threat, but be
wary: time is running out...
Credits to : Id Software for Doom II
CodeImp of Doom Builder 2
SirJuddington for SLADE3
Exl for WhackEd4
Additional credits to : Jmickle66666666 and EffinghamHuffnagel for
providing feedback
James "Jimmy" Paddock for a decent quantity of
the MIDIs I used and providing feedback
Jimi for recording demos
The Casali brothers for some textures I used
(taken from Plutonia.wad)
Huge credits to: : Plums for providing feedback, recording demos
and helping heaps with bugfixing this sorry mess
Countdown to Extinction is a
32-level megawad for Doom II by Obsidian. This one's a new one,
that's for sure.
Difficulty: 9
Countdown to Extinction is HARD. Cheap enemy placement, maps are
somewhat understocked with ammo and medical supplies, and
weapons are quite scarce. Mr. "I Can Hit You From Anywhere And
Revive All The Enemies You Just Killed" Archvile is plentiful as
well, often attacking in groups.
But believe it or not, about half of the difficulty is the
combat. The other half is due to the puzzle segments. I can
generally get by on the enemy placement and supply shortage, but
puzzles? You might as well put a brick wall in front of me and
say game over, because puzzles are NOT my strong point. Starting
in at about Map03, your focus goes from killing everything that
moves to figuring out what to do to open that last door. Wall
humping does you no good - Sometimes you need to shoot something
relatively obscure; look for some minor, tiny detail that you
otherwise would never have noticed; and yes, you even have to
Archvile jump. Couple that last segment with not stocking the
levels with enough health to do it, and, well, get ready to use
cheats to get by.
(Not to mention the Archvile jump segment isn't obvious.
Seriously, that stuff is SO 1996.)
Design: 6
While the maps are somewhat underdetailed, they are definitely
planned out in a devious way. You don't just put puzzles
together without any thought, after all. Points for having the
calculating mind required to put this stuff together. Still not
my thing, but I have to give credit where credit is due. There's
also a new endgame boss, so be prepared for a fight at the end
of all this.
Actually, I just remembered there are insta-kill switches in
these maps. In addition to Archvile jumping... Yeah, not cool.
Playability: 5
While the maps start off simple enough, if you play like I do,
you'll hit a brick wall toward the second act of the game. I
almost gave up on this one.
Overall (Not An Average): 6
Countdown to Extinction is somewhat a mixed bag. If you don't
mind the puzzle segments, this might be for you. Otherwise,
don't go in expecting a whole lot - The maps are rather short,
but the last two are somewhat entertaining. Though, I will admit
having the last one end abruptly without fanfare of killing the
boss, well, that's kind of a buzzkill.
