Doom 2 Reviews - Bloodworks, 8/10

[Major_Rawne]

Author: Sematary

Release Date: [No Data]
(Note: Dates are in British format DD/MM/YYYY)

Download: http://www.doomwadstation.com/descent/bloodworks.html
(Links to Sematary's Bloodworks page with downloads and screenshots)

After playing the overhyped Fava Beans, a wad committed to doing nothing new, here we have Bloodworks which clearly worked the author to the bone in his quest to do something different and exciting. This wad could not have come to my attention at a better time!

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Difficulty: Hard (UV)

Flying monsters are a pain because they get to attack from all around. In fact this could be the only map in the world which makes Cacodemons and Lost Souls look threatening.

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Gameplay: Good

I feel that Bloodworks is more a piece of art than an actual single player adventure - but don't let that stop you from having fun! Monsters come at you from literally everywhere so you never feel safe. This means the author is not forced to resort to Revenant ambushes every two minutes. Ammo and health are reasonable, although I died a few times, mainly because I was trying to manoeuvre in a cramped environment.

I would not hesitate to recommend this wad.

Highlights: The feeling that you could be attacked from anywhere at any time.

Lowlights: None.

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Aesthetics: Excellent

Reading through the reviews on Sematary's home page tells me that Bloodworks was released at a time when Doom 3 was on the horizon and other people were still making retro-themed maps. While there are cases for and against retro maps (which I will not get into) I have to say that Bloodworks is the Doom map of the future. It maintains an eerily Doom 3 feel, and is more than a simple killing-and-keycard experience.

Walkways, catwalks, bridges and other structures are rendered as perfectly as possible with the 2.5 dimensional engine. This actually feels like a real place.

Many ZDoom maps "look" like Zdoom maps. They are very dark and quite gritty, and sometimes they don't look much like Doom. Bloodworks straddles the line and in the end comes out as a shining example of contemporary Doom artwork. It's Doom, all grown up.

(Note: This map also works with other source ports.)

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Overall Score: 8/10

Pros:
- Completely original.
- Amazingly realistic environment.
- Deft placement of monsters.

Cons:
- Getting your toes bitten off by Lost Souls can get annoying!

[doomedwarrior1981]

Great job as usual Bloodworks was very fun I look forward to more reviews from you keep up the good work

[Sematary]

Thanks for the great review! I'm glad you enjoyed the map.
I have another, if you're interested. I took the 3d to the next level in parts of a map I called Mitnal - http://www.doomwadstation.com/mitnal/mitnal.html
It isn't as difficult as Bloodworks (on purpose) but I went all out with lighting and the use of 3d. I think if you take some time and look very closely at the architecture, you will see some lighting and 3d effects that you are not likely to see in any other map.
:-)