There is the levels with a certain
variety in texture choice, levels with intense and deadly fights and levels
with difficult puzzles worthwhile several days of headache. 'Entryway
doesn't really fit in either category. But then again it is also a map01 of
a larger pack to come.
Let it be said: This level is
grey!
Not like the fabulous 'Derelict' by Philippe Lesire
with the occasional colourful floor or the amazing blue sky. No, 'Entryway'
is just plain grey with grey flats, grey startan or stone walls and a grey
sky. It is not ugly, but it gets a little tiresome in the long run as the
very well placed lighting and occasional computer console in the wall
doesn't really manage to pull up the daft and depressive colour scheme of the
level. The author has by the way been very attentive to aligning the
textures, although the startan walls sometimes are a little misaligned. But
hey, those aren't exactly the easiest textures working with when you want
changing floor heights and stairways. And that is exactly what you will get
in this level. There is a nice flow in it and as you look for keys and
weapons scattered throughout this rather large complex, you will be visiting
the surface for some fresh air and be walking nervously around some dark and
damp (and gray) hallway with Spectres lurking around every corner. So
despite the my initial fear that I would be running around this map for days
confused and discouraged because of the monotonous colour theme, I found it
quite easy because the author really took great care to create a lot of
different structures, rooms and areas which were easy to recognize when
backtracking in search for a locked door. Apropos locked doors, then there
is all three of them, and in my opinion that might just be a little harsh
for a map01 of a larger pack.
The gameplay brings nothing new. It
is a straightforward hunt for keys with some shooting involved to clear your
path of enemies. Sometimes a door opens, mostly when you pick up a key, to
unleash, no not a horde, a couple of monsters. There is no monsters
teleporting in and no monsters appearing out of nowhere and generally not
that many surprises to scare or frighten you even remotely. Trained and even
slightly experienced DooM players will blaze through this level, while
novices might get badly hurt in an occasion or two. It is fair enough to say
that the gameplay isn't this map's strongest feature. But hey, it is only a
map01 of a larger pack.
Generally a rally good level with
plenty of originality and good will behind it. But it doesn't cover over the
fact that the level is a little awkwardly assembled. Not your typical map01
of a larger pack.
