To celebrate the recent move, here's a good game for a change. :)
I loved these books, but haven't actually played the games yet... I plan to! I've heard only good things about them, and I have 'em all.
So, if you wish, grab your own free copy of this particular one here.
One copy free, first come first get it! Game info here.
Quick freebie before I resume my writing. :) One copy if you want it!
Get it quick, cause I'm kinda late with this post. The redeem code expires in a week. More info on the game in question here.
Is it good? I have no idea, go grab it; let me know.
Let's go.
I recently got my hands on some cheap storage space that allows for file archives, so I figured I'd do my part in sharing some of the most notable DOOM-related contributions throughout the years, best showcased via the infamous idgames archive.
So here it is! My unofficial mirror of ditto. 54 GB of pure DOOM - from 1994 up till now! New mods and levels are streaming in still today.
I plan on updating this mirror at highly irregular intervals until I get some scheduled; automatic mirror magic going on, which is apparently possible via rsync, which I haven't used before. When I have some time to spare I shall learn how to, and so this archive should start to manage itself.
If you want to access this archive via FTP... well forget that!
I had planned to set this up as an FTP server - just like the one I'm mirroring (though the original's available via HTTP too), but I am not sure anonymous logins are fully supported with my host. I can't seem to get them to work right. Beyond that security on a public FTP server is a hassle, I don't know the half of it, so y'all will have make do with HTTP for now.
Any requests in regard to mirror functionality? If so leave a comment.
Better directory styling's an update for another day.
Onward! Up up and away.
I played through DOOM 2 again recently, on Ultra-Violence, as usual.
Didn't feel satiated enough with just that, so I headed back to Plutonia after that, and TNT after Plutonia... I don't think I've actually reviewed any of these before, though I've played all three plenty. So, some thoughts:
I'm just not a fan of the final level!
I'm not a fan of the first few levels either at this point, maybe because I've just played them so many times, though it feels like the game at least goes into lore and story more with the first part, with level designs that actually look like bases, with boss battles and ambushes to match. Then it seems they start creating levels for fun more than to progress the plot.
I'm thinking of levels like Tricks and Traps, and Barrels of Fun.
Levels like that.
Levels like that are coincidentally the type of levels I like most; ones that are genuinely fun to play, with plenty of challenge and carnage along the way, but they also don't really feel like part of the game. Like they're not legit parts on this journey through Hell and Earth you're taking...
I'm also not a fan of some of the city levels.
The level design feels overly blocky compared to others there, and dated, and I get lost on ledges and switches.
I'm overall not a fan of levels without a clear sense of direction, especially open landscape-type ones where you have no idea of where you need to go that you haven't gone already; that you can't progress through incrementally, one part or building at a time.
When there's too much back and forth it gets confusing, and/or repetitive.
Regarding added game elements since the original DOOM the Super Shotgun really becomes an essential part of your gameplay strategy here though, and the new enemies add a lot.
The gameplay overall feels fleshed out and thorough, and requires more strategy, and more creative evasion tactics and approaches to different beasts, or different groupings.
The first DOOM was simpler. Which made it better in a way, but the battle definitely was a bit more monotone there, with regular shotgun action even for hordes a re-occurring part of the gameplay. You just kept your distance, strafed, aimed, and kept on shooting.
You need to attack the new enemies differently here. Neither distance nor line-of-sight works the same.
Overall DOOM 2's a great game still, and extensive. It runs longer than you expect it to, even when you know exactly how many levels long it is.
And it's still fun to play all the way through... until that final level.
Plutonia's different. More exotic. More jungle.
It has a good mix between claustrophobic and more spacey levels too - as the original set of levels does, and many of them have pretty unique design elements and layouts, both clever and visually appealing, with area-type designs, watchtowers, gates and fort-like symmetry.
It's a bit annoying how you can't always get dropped items though, when enemies for example are on a ledge, or behind a fence. It seems there's not always a way to get into those enclosed areas in Plutonia, though it's possible I just haven't found all the secret pathways yet.
I also do not like the final level here!
I'm not a fan of the Icon of Sin type level overall, where you rely on speed and timing more so than co-ordination and caution. Where you have to climb a tower and expose yourself to the constant barrage of projectiles and fire from enemies too, and being able to avoid said projectiles comes down more to luck than strategy where you have less freedom to move.
It's not just frustrating since it's difficult, but since you're left to the whims of random spawns and coordinated enemy attacks, that you have little possibility neither to influence nor to deflect.
Enemy-wise there's a lot of Revenants and Heavy Weapons Dudes in particular with Plutonia, though no shortage of Mancubuses or Arachnotrons either. One particular level's very Arch-Vile heavy too.
Enemies seem mainly of the modern sort, and overall heavier compared to the contemporary sets, though overall they're balanced. Varied too.
The story follows suit with the DOOM universe too, albeit with more aggressive phrasing in the cutscenes. Come to think of it both level-design and script really progress better story-wise than DOOM 2 does overall...
Plutonia's good, and harder than the original game.
The level design's top-notch, though it doesn't feel entirely like a part of the original universe in style and design, even if it has all the trademarks of the original when it comes to ambushes and carnage, tricks and traps and everything.
Ambushes in particular. There's a lot of that.
Of these three level sets TNT is probably my favorite.
It feels more intricate, classier, with more consistent levels, story and all. And the script's poetic. Like for example just read this bit, first cutscene:
"They might be planning a blood feast, but you feel about as mean as two thousand maniacs packed into a killer."
Ain't that a glorious way to phrase it?!
It's a style of poetry you have to have at least with DOOM! It may be an acquired style, reserved for the seemingly PTSD-resistant DOOMGUY only.
The first few times I played this I loved the Wormhole level in particular.
It's trippy, and even the music there is so good - though some of these levels are most appreciated when the element of surprise is new. On frequent playthroughs some levels aren't so extensive after all.
Enemy-wise there are a lot more grunts here compared to Plutonia, Shotgun Guys and Zombiemen. Lots of Barons and Knights in later levels too. There's a lot of the more classic DOOM monsters overall, though again the set is balanced! There's a fair share of everything.
The levels get frustratingly puzzling for a while, but it gets better and better, and I really enjoy the final sets. Even though you get the Icon of Sin here too, with an even shorter slot to shoot through when you do!
I'm not a fan of that final shot. Everything leading up to it: love it.
Pay attention to the lighting, skyboxes, and the soundtrack in particular if you play this one. The level design overall really is spectacular.
If you don't feel it go try building some levels yourself, you'll see. ;)
And there's plenty of secrets.
Another one. :) One copy free if you want it! This game.
Do you want a free game? First one to hit this link claims it. ;)
Let's start the New Year with a bit of adventure!