#ultimate doom

A merciless limit-removing E2 replacement for Ultimate Doom

To face the twisted and diabolical machinations of Hell alone is a sordid task. This levelset from veteran mapper Obsidian will make you feel like its namesake. These levels contain the finest craftsmanship of the twisted and jumbled aesthetic of Ultimate Doom E2 that I have ever seen. E2M3 introduces a mechanic straight out of a platformer like Mario (or perhaps Tomb Raider) and it’s unlike anything I've seen before in Doom, a stroke of absolute genius. The levels are set in a series of corrupted and run down bases where even the architecture has gone askew in the most spellbinding way, and the fights are expertly crafted to keep you engaged and trying to use every square inch of space to your advantage. The levelset balances this eye candy with cramped rooms, damaging floors, beefy opposition, health starvation and a fondness for Spectres, Cacos and Lost Souls to choke you out of what little breathing room you have left. Obsidian knows exactly what they are doing here, and they’re not here to make friends with you.

Full disclosure. I attempted my second playthrough of these levels in a relatively good mood, and a fair idea of what to expect going in. I limped my way through the first four levels and all I ended up with was a stormcloud over my head and an overwhelming desire to eat the closest piece of wooden furniture in my house. This levelset is utterly diabolical in a way that I just don’t enjoy. Being hypervigilant of turning every corner not knowing what kind of dickish trap is going to be sprung on me that I could only beat using the power of clairvoyance is not my preferred Doom playing experience. E2M4 is a special kind of nasty and the peak of Wretch’s design philosophy – you have no room, no ammo, no hope. But here’s 50 rockets to deal with Lost Souls and Shotgunner health taxes behind corners and walls, and unless you put yourself in their direct line of fire, you WILL fire rockets into the ceiling via autoaim and die. I played this continuously and played so badly that I somehow ended up with less health and ammo than if I had pistol started each map. This is by far the hardest Ultimate Doom levelset I have played, and the suffering was too much to endure. I almost feel like replaying Crumpets in order to decompress. You win this round, Obsidian.

A full 4-episode replacement set for Ultimate Doom

A compilation of the author's mapping excursions in doom spanning 25 years (whoa mama!) that starts strongly, hitting the classic E1 nostalgia just right with very amped up enemy density and maziness. You’ll want to look out for cubby holes with lowering floors that take you between areas of the map, they are a bit of a novel inclusion and can be a bit hidden away for those who aren’t looking out for them, like my bumbling ass.

Ammo is very tight on UV (so don't load a DEHACKED patch that lowers the amount of shells you find. Don't ask me how I know this). The maps are substantive and enjoyable but absolutely not to be taken lightly, Chris Hansen isn’t concerned with holding your hand, so don't get cocky and respect the old master's work.

Before I could explore the other episodes, I found myself run short of patience finding my way around the levels. Undeniably good quality and the work of a seasoned veteran, but it can feel procedural and hard to digest for me. Ah well.

a 9-map episode replacement for Ultimate Doom

This mapset is a jolly pleasant walk in the park. I beat it in a single sitting in just under 20 minutes. Ammo is plentiful, resistance is minimal, and levels are usually finished in 2 minutes flat. You could sleepwalk through this level and still beat it without spiking your heartrate. It adheres nicely to 90s mapping sensibilities without going overboard on monster counts or map complexity and does away with cryptic puzzles and switchhunting that was also endemic to the time period, so I can’t fault it for that. I don’t really have much to say about it. Perhaps it's the small things like the Quake and Duke 3D sound replacements and the music from Vile Flesh and Icarus that makes this subdued levelset shine. A humble and understated homage that knows exactly what it’s doing, and does a good job at it.

Ultimate Comics: Doomsday - Ultimate Spider-Woman