FATAL
June 18th, 2007, 11:38 AM
Dissolution
Author: Bryant and Kevin Robertson
distion.zip (6.28 MB)
ftp://ftp.sunet.se/pub/pc/games/idgames/levels/doom2/Ports/d-f/distion.zip
Port: ZDoom
Singleplayer, Co-op
7 Maps.
Reviewer: CrashOverRide
Score: 7.5
Overall Review Score: 7.5/10 - Above Average
This wad has alot of good stuff in it, and it's hard to do it all justice, but i'll try. First off, the levels look AMAZING, simply put. If this was a commercial offering, i'd buy it just for that alone. Ambiant sounds, custom weapon/monster effect sounds, and even text messages during certain game events(Like in Hexen/Quake) also add much to the overall look/feel/sound of each level within.....lending it the feeling that you really are running through creepy medieval castles/temples/etc, full of evil around every corner. You won't grow bored with this map pack.....even though all the levels center around a similar theme, and you might even be tempted to play it again, as well as it predecessor: Project Slipgate.
Graphics/Lighting: Score: 7.5/10 - Above Average
The medieval look/feel to the first few levels & intro alone merits the 7 score it's been given.....as well as the dark ambiant lighting effects and usage of custom doom community textures(Hexen/Quake style....etc). As long as you play in the proper lighting, or lack thereof, you will have no problem finding your way to a good frag......or maybe it will find you?!?
Weapon/Health Placement: Score: 6.5/10 Slightly above average
Yes, there are weapons and health in all levels, and placed somewhat nicely......but you will have to count ammo/health on most levels to stay alive and well equipped(read next para. to see why.), or you won't get the ammo & health until after you defeat a large number of tough baddies to allow you to reach the ammo. Doom vet's dream pack in this regard, but NOT recommend for first timers, unless they save often anyways.
Monster placement: Score: 7/10 - Above average
There are demons galore in this offering, and none too easy to kill in some cases(Due to no difficulty settings being implemented by the author).....and it is for this reason that I recommend you keep an eye on your ammo count when entering dark, confined spaces(i.e. 80% of the map locations). I would have given it a 7.5/10, but feel that some newer players might be put off by the difficulty of the enemies they'll mostly face. Otherwise, the placement and number/type of baddies is very good.
Praises - Great medieval look/feel. Nice intro and ambiant sound usage. Good amounts of ammo and health items, and good placement of such in every level. You can swim underwater!
Cons - Slightly difficult for new FPS players or doom players on ALL difficulties. Toxic pools and safe pools look almost identical. Some vital trigger switches can't be triggered if you run out of ammo(Last few levels).
Level by level
Map 1 - Intro - Not much to do here but watch one of the creepiest doom intros ever play itself out. Nice custom music from the doom community and nice scenery are key in this "map".
Map 2 - Temple of Ages - A temple, presumably, with a medieval look to it......cold stone floors,
dark corridors, and all. What was that sound?!? ***Short level, and linear, but some nice dark scenery throughout.***
Map 3 - Dream Eden(Temple of Oblivion) - More like nightmare Eden, or Paradise Lost(even)......you wonder what happened to this heavenly place turned wicked, or is it purgatory? ***Usage of the new skull keys is awesome, but the doors aren't color coded like in regular doom levels. This is remedied by the fact that the areas are linear for the most part, so confusion shouldn't be a problem.....as well as the fact that the textures more than make up for any deja vu you might be feeling. The mini slipgate is also a nice touch(You'll see).***
Map 4 - Fallen Hope - If you thought the last level was tough, think again. There are only 3 baddies here, all of em tough as nails. ***This level is short, even more so than map 2, but the brick texture combined with the lighting level in most of this map makes it a fave of mine. Ammo and health are in larger supply in this level, but then again, so is the difficulty of the demons you'll face.***
Map 5 - Gloom Keep - Past the hellish outpost, which you hopefully survived. Beyond, from a high ledge, you can see what appears to be a castle. ***There is one bug in this level, in which you will need a key and not have it. Cheat past this, both to get past the door and to return later. Otherwise, the level is alright.....and even a bit brighter, though not by much(so as to keep the gloomy feeling) than some of the other levels, and is moderate in length.***
Map 6 - Castle Rapture - The castle at last, and boy are you lacking in ammo. Make your way inside, and find the way to your salvation, or destruction.
***This level looks/feels almost like the last map, but has some nicer design to it in some areas. Bug: At the beginning, some bars which are supposed to be locked at first open anyways.....even before you press the nearby switch. Also both secret areas aren't so secret(You'll see). Both bugs won't affect gameplay.***
Map 7 - - This is the last level, the peak of the pack....if you will. Rich palace-like textures throughout, even more so than some of the previous levels. You will definately like this one, if you can survive it(without cheating :)). At the end, there will be an end story screen, so wait until it appears before quitting out of it. Now go play Project: Slipgate to find out how this all started, and how it ends......hopefully soon to be reviewed by me or another Newdoom reviewer.
***Possible Bug: If you run out of ammo after defeating the final boss, you won't be able to escape if you don't shoot all 4 trigger switches, hidden off to the side of the final room in alcoves. Save at least 5 bullets for this and you should be fine.***
<a href="http://img474.imageshack.us/my.php?image=doom00018gz.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/3859/doom00018gz.th.png" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>
Caption 1: Damn, I'm high. I wonder what that thing is?
<a href="http://img474.imageshack.us/my.php?image=doom00028uy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/2200/doom00028uy.th.png" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>
Caption 2: Oh, crap. Gotta go!
<a href="http://img474.imageshack.us/my.php?image=doom00055mg.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/3708/doom00055mg.th.png" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>
Caption 3: Honey, i'm HOME! Heh.
<a href="http://img474.imageshack.us/my.php?image=doom00064lz.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/9120/doom00064lz.th.png" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>
Caption 4: Tomb Raider, eat your heart out!
Author: Bryant and Kevin Robertson
distion.zip (6.28 MB)
ftp://ftp.sunet.se/pub/pc/games/idgames/levels/doom2/Ports/d-f/distion.zip
Port: ZDoom
Singleplayer, Co-op
7 Maps.
Reviewer: CrashOverRide
Score: 7.5
Overall Review Score: 7.5/10 - Above Average
This wad has alot of good stuff in it, and it's hard to do it all justice, but i'll try. First off, the levels look AMAZING, simply put. If this was a commercial offering, i'd buy it just for that alone. Ambiant sounds, custom weapon/monster effect sounds, and even text messages during certain game events(Like in Hexen/Quake) also add much to the overall look/feel/sound of each level within.....lending it the feeling that you really are running through creepy medieval castles/temples/etc, full of evil around every corner. You won't grow bored with this map pack.....even though all the levels center around a similar theme, and you might even be tempted to play it again, as well as it predecessor: Project Slipgate.
Graphics/Lighting: Score: 7.5/10 - Above Average
The medieval look/feel to the first few levels & intro alone merits the 7 score it's been given.....as well as the dark ambiant lighting effects and usage of custom doom community textures(Hexen/Quake style....etc). As long as you play in the proper lighting, or lack thereof, you will have no problem finding your way to a good frag......or maybe it will find you?!?
Weapon/Health Placement: Score: 6.5/10 Slightly above average
Yes, there are weapons and health in all levels, and placed somewhat nicely......but you will have to count ammo/health on most levels to stay alive and well equipped(read next para. to see why.), or you won't get the ammo & health until after you defeat a large number of tough baddies to allow you to reach the ammo. Doom vet's dream pack in this regard, but NOT recommend for first timers, unless they save often anyways.
Monster placement: Score: 7/10 - Above average
There are demons galore in this offering, and none too easy to kill in some cases(Due to no difficulty settings being implemented by the author).....and it is for this reason that I recommend you keep an eye on your ammo count when entering dark, confined spaces(i.e. 80% of the map locations). I would have given it a 7.5/10, but feel that some newer players might be put off by the difficulty of the enemies they'll mostly face. Otherwise, the placement and number/type of baddies is very good.
Praises - Great medieval look/feel. Nice intro and ambiant sound usage. Good amounts of ammo and health items, and good placement of such in every level. You can swim underwater!
Cons - Slightly difficult for new FPS players or doom players on ALL difficulties. Toxic pools and safe pools look almost identical. Some vital trigger switches can't be triggered if you run out of ammo(Last few levels).
Level by level
Map 1 - Intro - Not much to do here but watch one of the creepiest doom intros ever play itself out. Nice custom music from the doom community and nice scenery are key in this "map".
Map 2 - Temple of Ages - A temple, presumably, with a medieval look to it......cold stone floors,
dark corridors, and all. What was that sound?!? ***Short level, and linear, but some nice dark scenery throughout.***
Map 3 - Dream Eden(Temple of Oblivion) - More like nightmare Eden, or Paradise Lost(even)......you wonder what happened to this heavenly place turned wicked, or is it purgatory? ***Usage of the new skull keys is awesome, but the doors aren't color coded like in regular doom levels. This is remedied by the fact that the areas are linear for the most part, so confusion shouldn't be a problem.....as well as the fact that the textures more than make up for any deja vu you might be feeling. The mini slipgate is also a nice touch(You'll see).***
Map 4 - Fallen Hope - If you thought the last level was tough, think again. There are only 3 baddies here, all of em tough as nails. ***This level is short, even more so than map 2, but the brick texture combined with the lighting level in most of this map makes it a fave of mine. Ammo and health are in larger supply in this level, but then again, so is the difficulty of the demons you'll face.***
Map 5 - Gloom Keep - Past the hellish outpost, which you hopefully survived. Beyond, from a high ledge, you can see what appears to be a castle. ***There is one bug in this level, in which you will need a key and not have it. Cheat past this, both to get past the door and to return later. Otherwise, the level is alright.....and even a bit brighter, though not by much(so as to keep the gloomy feeling) than some of the other levels, and is moderate in length.***
Map 6 - Castle Rapture - The castle at last, and boy are you lacking in ammo. Make your way inside, and find the way to your salvation, or destruction.
***This level looks/feels almost like the last map, but has some nicer design to it in some areas. Bug: At the beginning, some bars which are supposed to be locked at first open anyways.....even before you press the nearby switch. Also both secret areas aren't so secret(You'll see). Both bugs won't affect gameplay.***
Map 7 - - This is the last level, the peak of the pack....if you will. Rich palace-like textures throughout, even more so than some of the previous levels. You will definately like this one, if you can survive it(without cheating :)). At the end, there will be an end story screen, so wait until it appears before quitting out of it. Now go play Project: Slipgate to find out how this all started, and how it ends......hopefully soon to be reviewed by me or another Newdoom reviewer.
***Possible Bug: If you run out of ammo after defeating the final boss, you won't be able to escape if you don't shoot all 4 trigger switches, hidden off to the side of the final room in alcoves. Save at least 5 bullets for this and you should be fine.***
<a href="http://img474.imageshack.us/my.php?image=doom00018gz.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/3859/doom00018gz.th.png" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>
Caption 1: Damn, I'm high. I wonder what that thing is?
<a href="http://img474.imageshack.us/my.php?image=doom00028uy.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/2200/doom00028uy.th.png" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>
Caption 2: Oh, crap. Gotta go!
<a href="http://img474.imageshack.us/my.php?image=doom00055mg.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/3708/doom00055mg.th.png" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>
Caption 3: Honey, i'm HOME! Heh.
<a href="http://img474.imageshack.us/my.php?image=doom00064lz.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/9120/doom00064lz.th.png" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>
Caption 4: Tomb Raider, eat your heart out!