Title: Doom 2 Review - ZDoom Community Map
Description: 7/10
Description: 7/10
Major_Rawne - August 1, 2005 04:11 PM (GMT)
Authors: BioHazard, Giest118, Xaser, Lexus Alyus, HotWax, Graf Zahl, Nanami, Nightmare, Enjay, Pablo Dictter, DD_133, Grubber, Cccp_leha, Randy, Risen, Tormentor667
Release Date: 28/09/2004
(Note: Dates are in British format DD/MM/YYYY)
Download: http://www.doomworld.com/idgames/index.php?id=12815
(NOTE: Link takes you to the wad's Archive page)
Review Revision History: 09/08/2005 - changed references to "Freezer" weapon
(Note: Dates are in British format DD/MM/YYYY)
Some bright spark decided to pool the talents of ZDoom mappers from around the world to build one mighty wad. And what a result. The Community Map is huge, and I'm talking bigger than the average 1994 map. It crams in every special ZDoom feature that these artists - for that is what they are - could think of. There are literally dozens of new monsters which is always a good thing, especially when the monsters really are new and not simply a replacement for the normal demons which behave exactly the same. At 6.6MB it is quite a download but it is better than many other projects of comparable size.
Sadly, Tormentor667 seems to have decided to leave the Doom Community due to the poor treatment he has been receiving from other members who are stealing his resources. In what must be the most staggering act of betrayal I have seen since joining the Community, the majority of members have basically said "So what?" Way to show your gratitude people, thanks.
Tormentor667 has designed some stupendously good maps. In fact when I first came across NewDoom a few years ago, Torment and Torture was the first map I downloaded. It was good, not brilliant, but scary and fast-paced. I would take one Tormentor667 over any number of whining, self-absorbed forum trolls who care nothing for the efforts this legendary Doomer has gone to.
I'm sorry if this comes across as aggressive or rude. I can't help feeling strongly about it. It makes me wonder why the Doom Community's senior members even bother. Few people will miss any of them when they're gone.
---
Difficulty: Hard (UV)
The main challenge of the map is its drain on staying power. You can expect to be engaged for an hour or more, so it's no quick blast. I think you'll find the map is worth the time you invest. The new monsters are not much harder than the standard batch.
---
Gameplay: Good
This is one of those maps where you'll be too busy looking at the scenery to enjoy playing the map. When you put your eyes back into your head then you'll enjoy an hour's slaughtering. The new monsters are the highlight for me since I recognise a couple of them from other good maps. There are winged Barons, Barons carrying spiked shields, different types of Imp including nukage dwelling serpents and mutants without spikes who live in the darkness.
There are also, unfortunately, a couple of Hexen style monsters which look out of place.
A new weapon is the Freezer. This acts like a plasma gun except makes no sound, although Tormentor667 informs me this is something to do with the ZDoom version I used. There is no other difference between this gun and the plasma rifle that I could tell.
Ambient sounds are creepy, but drowned out by the new music. I like the music, especially the boss music.
Highlights: Boss fight against some kind of large, flying Baron demon. The Hell area is like an amped-up tribute to the brilliant maps of the olden days when hell was hell! Fire and brimstone time.
Lowlights: Probably too many tight corridors. Many of the areas are base themed which is not exactly unique, but the Hell themed area is pretty in a sick, old school way. Several of the new enemies are palette swapped versions of the usual cast.
---
Aesthetics: Excellent
Definitely a competitor for prettiest map of all time, even if some repetitive use of dark corridors does start to creep in. The Hexen type monsters, bats and some kind of armoured warrior, do not fit in with the rest. I have yet to see Hexen monsters "fit" in a Doom wad so this is not a problem unique to this map.
My favourite area was the hellish caverns. There's a boss fight against a proper boss here, and I'm talking a flying behemoth of destruction which uses multiple attacks spreading beautiful looking fireballs around the area. Meticulous attention to detail can be seen in every section of the map; Aloha999 this is not. There's a high-tech area of the base with very nice looking doors, which I took a picture of (see below). A sinister corridor has slots in the walls with eyes looking out at you. I'd crap myself if I was there in real life.
The Freezer weapon doesn't look very nice. When you add this to its similarity to the plasma gun you wonder why it was included. Again, Tormentor667 informs me that the ZDoom version I am using doesn't properly support the Freezer so I wasn't getting the proper effect.
---
Overall Score: 7/10
Pros:
- Stunning in scale and appearance.
- Most of the new monsters fit perfectly, and make the map feel more varied.
Cons:
- Use of Hexen style monsters.
- Too many pallette swaps.
Release Date: 28/09/2004
(Note: Dates are in British format DD/MM/YYYY)
Download: http://www.doomworld.com/idgames/index.php?id=12815
(NOTE: Link takes you to the wad's Archive page)
Review Revision History: 09/08/2005 - changed references to "Freezer" weapon
(Note: Dates are in British format DD/MM/YYYY)
Some bright spark decided to pool the talents of ZDoom mappers from around the world to build one mighty wad. And what a result. The Community Map is huge, and I'm talking bigger than the average 1994 map. It crams in every special ZDoom feature that these artists - for that is what they are - could think of. There are literally dozens of new monsters which is always a good thing, especially when the monsters really are new and not simply a replacement for the normal demons which behave exactly the same. At 6.6MB it is quite a download but it is better than many other projects of comparable size.
Sadly, Tormentor667 seems to have decided to leave the Doom Community due to the poor treatment he has been receiving from other members who are stealing his resources. In what must be the most staggering act of betrayal I have seen since joining the Community, the majority of members have basically said "So what?" Way to show your gratitude people, thanks.
Tormentor667 has designed some stupendously good maps. In fact when I first came across NewDoom a few years ago, Torment and Torture was the first map I downloaded. It was good, not brilliant, but scary and fast-paced. I would take one Tormentor667 over any number of whining, self-absorbed forum trolls who care nothing for the efforts this legendary Doomer has gone to.
I'm sorry if this comes across as aggressive or rude. I can't help feeling strongly about it. It makes me wonder why the Doom Community's senior members even bother. Few people will miss any of them when they're gone.
---
Difficulty: Hard (UV)
The main challenge of the map is its drain on staying power. You can expect to be engaged for an hour or more, so it's no quick blast. I think you'll find the map is worth the time you invest. The new monsters are not much harder than the standard batch.
---
Gameplay: Good
This is one of those maps where you'll be too busy looking at the scenery to enjoy playing the map. When you put your eyes back into your head then you'll enjoy an hour's slaughtering. The new monsters are the highlight for me since I recognise a couple of them from other good maps. There are winged Barons, Barons carrying spiked shields, different types of Imp including nukage dwelling serpents and mutants without spikes who live in the darkness.
There are also, unfortunately, a couple of Hexen style monsters which look out of place.
A new weapon is the Freezer. This acts like a plasma gun except makes no sound, although Tormentor667 informs me this is something to do with the ZDoom version I used. There is no other difference between this gun and the plasma rifle that I could tell.
Ambient sounds are creepy, but drowned out by the new music. I like the music, especially the boss music.
Highlights: Boss fight against some kind of large, flying Baron demon. The Hell area is like an amped-up tribute to the brilliant maps of the olden days when hell was hell! Fire and brimstone time.
Lowlights: Probably too many tight corridors. Many of the areas are base themed which is not exactly unique, but the Hell themed area is pretty in a sick, old school way. Several of the new enemies are palette swapped versions of the usual cast.
---
Aesthetics: Excellent
Definitely a competitor for prettiest map of all time, even if some repetitive use of dark corridors does start to creep in. The Hexen type monsters, bats and some kind of armoured warrior, do not fit in with the rest. I have yet to see Hexen monsters "fit" in a Doom wad so this is not a problem unique to this map.
My favourite area was the hellish caverns. There's a boss fight against a proper boss here, and I'm talking a flying behemoth of destruction which uses multiple attacks spreading beautiful looking fireballs around the area. Meticulous attention to detail can be seen in every section of the map; Aloha999 this is not. There's a high-tech area of the base with very nice looking doors, which I took a picture of (see below). A sinister corridor has slots in the walls with eyes looking out at you. I'd crap myself if I was there in real life.
The Freezer weapon doesn't look very nice. When you add this to its similarity to the plasma gun you wonder why it was included. Again, Tormentor667 informs me that the ZDoom version I am using doesn't properly support the Freezer so I wasn't getting the proper effect.
---
Overall Score: 7/10
Pros:
- Stunning in scale and appearance.
- Most of the new monsters fit perfectly, and make the map feel more varied.
Cons:
- Use of Hexen style monsters.
- Too many pallette swaps.
Major_Rawne - August 1, 2005 05:05 PM (GMT)
doomedwarrior1981 - August 3, 2005 07:23 PM (GMT)
Great job as usual that's sad to hear about Tormentor667 leaving the community I was looking forward to Knee Deep in Zdoom and that continuation of Hexen. I adore his levels and new monsters too its refreshing to see something new I get tired of people wanting the usual monsters and weapons I myself love to see new monsters and weapons. I wish there would be an update to the Zdoom Monster Resource pack but with Tormentor667 leaving there's probably a fat chance of that happening :(
Major_Rawne - August 5, 2005 09:46 AM (GMT)
What's worse is the way most people on the Doom forums don't care about him leaving, as if he's beneath their notice. It's ironic because he has brought a lot more to the internet than many of the people who don't care that he is gone.
doomedwarrior1981 - August 5, 2005 05:17 PM (GMT)
Except for Torment and Torture 3 I liked all of his wads the only reason I didn't like part 3 was because the first level was so big my old computer slowed down to a huge crawl but hopefully my new computer will allow me to play it again and enjoy it more but anyway great work hope to see a review of the Torment and Torture series
Tormentor667 - August 9, 2005 01:32 AM (GMT)
Great review and obviously very fair, though I think, the Freezer which didn't work correct is a problem with the ZDoom version you used, as it makes sounds, has a different look and is an addition as the other new weapon is. The problem is this DEHSUPP lump which just works for one single version, 0.63 afaik.
Nevertheless, thx for the kind words and I am looking forward to some more reviews of my maps or maps I have also worked on ;)
Nevertheless, thx for the kind words and I am looking forward to some more reviews of my maps or maps I have also worked on ;)