Ultimate Doom Review - Nightfall, 8/10

[Major_Rawne]

Author: Josh Fallon aka "Phallus"

Release Date: [No data]

Download: http://www.doomworld.com/idgames/index.php?id=375

Ah, an early classic which still holds its own today despite dated design. This is a map I never used to be able to beat so having the chance to play it and win is something I enjoyed.

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Difficulty: Medium (UV)

Nightfall proved to be quite a challenge when I first played it in 2001. I kept getting killed in the demon castle area. Today I tore through it without too many problems.

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Gameplay: Very Good

It's fun and at some times frightening, and best of all it's the type of adventure wad I don't often see. The map feels a lot bigger than it really is and you don't get bored. Several areas like the start and the large underground demon temple area are intimidating.

On Ultra Violence there are some moments when health becomes tight.

Highlights: The view when you open the first door is truly Doomish.

Lowlights: The BFG seems to be bugged so that you get trapped on the island. I don't know if this is an intentional part of the level, so I clipped the hell out of there.

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Aesthetics: Good

For an old map this one is ace. The night sky is the main attraction, and from what I gather this map was the first to use it. There are several areas each with their own theme, each with their own traps. The styles do tend to clash although the map maker gets out of this by having the level separated into clearly defined regions. Go through a door, face a new kind of hell. It's Doomish, Hellish, in the way only an old Ultimate Doom map can be.

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Overall Score: 8/10

Pros:
- The first map to use a night sky texture!
- Music suits the mood perfectly.
- Lots of weird and wacky places to go.
- Doesn't look its age.

Cons:
- Not hard enough on UV for today's players.

[crusader0865]

Where can I download this?

[Major_Rawne]

Hi

Link to the wad's Archive page has now been added to the review.

[crusader0865]

thanks very much