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Author(s):
Robert LeNoble (aka
Rtoast)
SP
doom2 (maps 1)
requires:
Zdoom
Reviewer:
Sematary
Download the file!
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Difficulty:
Oh, where to begin? This map isn't really difficult, but then again it is very
difficult. Read the right side and what the author has to say. He isn't kidding
when he says he likes to build them big! This map is absolutely humungous but
seems to take place more or less in one room (hard to imagine, I know). There
are more badasses in this map than Hell could conceivably hold but thanks to the
author, you have plenty of room to roam. There is also a TON of health/armor and
ammo in this thing, not to mention all the weapons. Here's the rub though - you
are absolutely surrounded on all sides by Barons and Pinky's and Imps and the
rest of the menagerie. You can't simply sit still and fight. You need to move
around and keep on moving. From a pure enjoyment aspect - if you are looking for
a map where you can find more fraggage than you can find snowflakes at the North
Pole then you've come to the right place. You WILL NOT be bored. THAT is a
guarantee.
Playability:
I had alot of fun with this map. The never ending horde of monsters was done in
a creative manner in a level that is suited for it. (I'm telling you, this thing
is freakin' huge!). I spent the better part of half an hour just killing shit,
running to get more health and ammo and then killing more shit and they were
still coming at me and the ground was littered with their shattered little
bodies like the debris at a fairground. It was astounding! So yes, fun to play.
Design:
Interesting is the word I'd use here. There isn't exactly a dearth of
architecture but it's not overwhelmed with it either. There are loooooooong
hallways and huuuuuuuge rooms and forests of pillars and on and on and on. I
can't even really explain this map to you. You'll simply have to experience it
for yourself.
Overall:
You may be wondering at this point - why no scores? Where's the points?
Well, there are two dynamics at work here.
First, I've been considering scrapping the point
system and simply doing the review and allowing the intelligent reader to decide
for himself, from the information provided, whether the map is something he or
she would enjoy playing.
Secondly, and it plays into the first reason is
this: I have no clue how to score this map. If this were a traditionally
designed map I wouldn't even give it the time of day. In fact, in most cases
where I get a map where the goal is simply to battle a horde of creatures that
extends to the Mars horizon, I simply dump it. They are boring and not worth the
time of day. And usually, that is true. In this case, however, it is different.
Yes, there are hordes of monsters you have to battle until the sky falls or
until American politicians finally grow some balls, but it was done in such a
way that it doesn't come across as retarded. I honestly believe you will enjoy
this map if you go into it with an open mind and simply allow yourself to enjoy
it.
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Ever since I started playing DOOM in the
early/mid 90's, I've always been most drawn to wads that offered up huge
expansive environments. When I got into mapping, this was a constant
theme I tended to gravitate towards. Indoor city is built more like a
giant playground rather than a true to life location. Though it does
have a tech/futuristic powerplant theme to it. Complete with a fusion
reactor core that needs destroying to complete the level!
I tend to also design with cooperative mode in mind as well, as that was
my motivation for getting into map making in the first place (to be able
to create worlds my friends and I could explore together). As such, the
design philosophy is a bit different than your standard single player
wads. There is lots of ammo and plenty of health, you just have to work
for it (the ammo more so than the health) but don't let that fool you!
This map has plenty of dangers and if you aren't careful you could buy
the farm regardless!
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