FATAL
June 18th, 2007, 12:10 PM
Wad Title: Asylum
Author: Wes Burd Jr
Filename: Asylum.zip
Size: 175 Kb
Download Link: ftp://ftp.sunet.se/pub/pc/games/idgames/levels/doom2/a-c/asylum2.zip
Requirements: None-Any Doom 2 Port
Play types: Single Player Only
# of maps: 1
Created on: Oct 1999
Reviewer: Crash OverRide
Port Used: ZDoom 2.0.98 Score: 6
Overall Review Score: 6/10 - Slightly above Average Joe
To start, I must say that this is an average attempt at a shooting gallery type map, if you could call it that.....with a few "puzzles" thrown in for flavor, even if they weren't the best thought out ones on the planet(for several reasons, see below in Cons.). Also, the level is saveable & beatable in under an hour, despite what the readme will tell you. But don't let the outdated text and bad puzzles in some areas dissuade you too much, as this level(IMO) is good enough to be played at least once by ALL doom fans who enjoy a good mass fragging.
Graphics/Lighting: Score: 6.5/10 - Slightly above average
This map uses alot of the green tile textures, some to nice effect. It all depends on taste, I guess, but there are exceptions to the green rule in several areas.....like the Jewish hell courtyard(See the screenshots below), the blue light special room, the end room & antechamber...etc. These alone, plus the layout/feel of the level as a whole make this something worth playing at least once.
Lighting is adequate, and the light spots and flicker effect usage is quite nice to look at in some areas.....if you can stop to admire it that long anyways.
Weapon/Health Placement: Score: 6/10 - Ditto II
Ammo and health is available in massive amounts throughout the level, but not too much as to make the task something super easy.....like Computer Solitaire for example. The only gripe I have with it is in placement. Sometimes, you'll find 8 health packs/ammo clips in one room, yet not find many in some large hallway. Newer players might also dislike the fact that there aren't many radiation suits to go around, but vets shouldn't need more than are available to complete the puzzles requiring a "little dip".
Monsters & placement: Score: 6/10 - Slightly above average
There is a good amount of baddies in this one...and because of this you will either cringe for fear of losing and loading again, or the bloodlust will kick in as you aim that super shotgun's sights up for a gibshot or two in a narrow corridor. In essence, you will be either pleased or not so pleased with this map, all depending on how much of a doomer you are......mainly because this is a "no difficulty" level, meaning that all difficulties are similar, and there fore a bit tougher than your normal classic doom playthrough.
Praises - Lots of available health. A nice fragfest level. A few nicely detailed rooms. Semi-nice graphical/room layout in regards to plot and available texture resources.
Cons - Some puzzles/barriers bypassable via the jump feature. A few annoying fast dash type puzzles. Not enough radiation suits for beginners.
Bugs - !Serious! In the inner complex/fortress, a few items must be picked up in order to allow sliding wall section w/switches to appear. If you don't pick up everything, especially stuff like Megaspheres and the like, you may get mentally stuck somewhere in the game.....especially in & around the blue light room.
A clipping plane bug also exists in the blue light/flame room, which keeps you from approaching a hidden area exit, until you reach it from the other side. There are also a few bypassable barriers.....but that's really an outdated gameplay problem.
Comments: !Important! - In some areas, you may have to use creative thinking to solve some puzzles, especially when you think you're stuck but actually aren't. As always, if it looks like a switch, then it probably is......and when in doubt, shoot something.
The only gripes I had with this map were the fast dashes you have to make to get past the bars in the front yard, enabling you to reach the red door barrier switches in the toxic pools. That, and maybe the REALLY slow platform leading to the switch which drops those bars.
This level, while not a MUST play, is definately something people may want to play at least once for fun/fraggage. You'll know within the first few minutes if it's the right "fit" for you or not, I guarantee it.
<a href="http://img204.imageshack.us/my.php?image=asylum13bf.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8777/asylum13bf.th.png" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>
Caption 1: Hellish reception? And it's only the beginning.
<a href="http://img202.imageshack.us/my.php?image=asylum27ts.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/9136/asylum27ts.th.png" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>
Caption 2: Welcome to Jewish Hell.
<a href="http://img202.imageshack.us/my.php?image=asylum33fk.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/333/asylum33fk.th.png" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>
Caption 3: Another form of worship ruined by the boys in blue.
Author: Wes Burd Jr
Filename: Asylum.zip
Size: 175 Kb
Download Link: ftp://ftp.sunet.se/pub/pc/games/idgames/levels/doom2/a-c/asylum2.zip
Requirements: None-Any Doom 2 Port
Play types: Single Player Only
# of maps: 1
Created on: Oct 1999
Reviewer: Crash OverRide
Port Used: ZDoom 2.0.98 Score: 6
Overall Review Score: 6/10 - Slightly above Average Joe
To start, I must say that this is an average attempt at a shooting gallery type map, if you could call it that.....with a few "puzzles" thrown in for flavor, even if they weren't the best thought out ones on the planet(for several reasons, see below in Cons.). Also, the level is saveable & beatable in under an hour, despite what the readme will tell you. But don't let the outdated text and bad puzzles in some areas dissuade you too much, as this level(IMO) is good enough to be played at least once by ALL doom fans who enjoy a good mass fragging.
Graphics/Lighting: Score: 6.5/10 - Slightly above average
This map uses alot of the green tile textures, some to nice effect. It all depends on taste, I guess, but there are exceptions to the green rule in several areas.....like the Jewish hell courtyard(See the screenshots below), the blue light special room, the end room & antechamber...etc. These alone, plus the layout/feel of the level as a whole make this something worth playing at least once.
Lighting is adequate, and the light spots and flicker effect usage is quite nice to look at in some areas.....if you can stop to admire it that long anyways.
Weapon/Health Placement: Score: 6/10 - Ditto II
Ammo and health is available in massive amounts throughout the level, but not too much as to make the task something super easy.....like Computer Solitaire for example. The only gripe I have with it is in placement. Sometimes, you'll find 8 health packs/ammo clips in one room, yet not find many in some large hallway. Newer players might also dislike the fact that there aren't many radiation suits to go around, but vets shouldn't need more than are available to complete the puzzles requiring a "little dip".
Monsters & placement: Score: 6/10 - Slightly above average
There is a good amount of baddies in this one...and because of this you will either cringe for fear of losing and loading again, or the bloodlust will kick in as you aim that super shotgun's sights up for a gibshot or two in a narrow corridor. In essence, you will be either pleased or not so pleased with this map, all depending on how much of a doomer you are......mainly because this is a "no difficulty" level, meaning that all difficulties are similar, and there fore a bit tougher than your normal classic doom playthrough.
Praises - Lots of available health. A nice fragfest level. A few nicely detailed rooms. Semi-nice graphical/room layout in regards to plot and available texture resources.
Cons - Some puzzles/barriers bypassable via the jump feature. A few annoying fast dash type puzzles. Not enough radiation suits for beginners.
Bugs - !Serious! In the inner complex/fortress, a few items must be picked up in order to allow sliding wall section w/switches to appear. If you don't pick up everything, especially stuff like Megaspheres and the like, you may get mentally stuck somewhere in the game.....especially in & around the blue light room.
A clipping plane bug also exists in the blue light/flame room, which keeps you from approaching a hidden area exit, until you reach it from the other side. There are also a few bypassable barriers.....but that's really an outdated gameplay problem.
Comments: !Important! - In some areas, you may have to use creative thinking to solve some puzzles, especially when you think you're stuck but actually aren't. As always, if it looks like a switch, then it probably is......and when in doubt, shoot something.
The only gripes I had with this map were the fast dashes you have to make to get past the bars in the front yard, enabling you to reach the red door barrier switches in the toxic pools. That, and maybe the REALLY slow platform leading to the switch which drops those bars.
This level, while not a MUST play, is definately something people may want to play at least once for fun/fraggage. You'll know within the first few minutes if it's the right "fit" for you or not, I guarantee it.
<a href="http://img204.imageshack.us/my.php?image=asylum13bf.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8777/asylum13bf.th.png" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>
Caption 1: Hellish reception? And it's only the beginning.
<a href="http://img202.imageshack.us/my.php?image=asylum27ts.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/9136/asylum27ts.th.png" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>
Caption 2: Welcome to Jewish Hell.
<a href="http://img202.imageshack.us/my.php?image=asylum33fk.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/333/asylum33fk.th.png" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>
Caption 3: Another form of worship ruined by the boys in blue.