The darkness frightens me. I don't
feel safe here in these green, slimy, dark and deserted hallways. A shotgun
nearby, ahh the trustful shotgun with which I've slaughtered so many
hell-spawn. By the looks of things, and by the feeling in my gut, I think
it's time once again.
Let my start by saying that I've
got a distinctive feeling that the makers of Serious Sam have not only
played the orig. Doom, but also Max Speed's Overkill! The gameplay is
similar to both; lots and lots of monsters emerginf from everywhere in big
rooms and open areas! Did anyone say "Action on!"? This level
provides some memorable fights with the best Doom action around. Hell yes,
it was enjoyable..... and bloody too, he he. To help you in the fight
against this ruthless enemy is your usual variety of Doom II weapons along
side a good amount of ammo. Sometimes a bit overabundant. Especially when it
comes to shells; some of them could have been replaced with a couple of
rockets more. It can get a little challenging fighting huge hordes of
Mancubi, Aracnotrons, Hellknights and Lost Souls with only a SuperS. But
luckily there's a good amount of powerups to keep the score balanced. All in
all, challenging yet extremely entertaining.
However, there needs to be a good
surrounding in order to make a good fight. This is again one of the biggest
forces of these levels; their good design provides an excellent
battleground. Although not mind-bogglingly beautiful they still manage to
impress with their cold, dark metal surfaces rising high up into the air
occasionally interrupted by a slimy green wall. Also implemented is the more
or less obligatory amount of objects and puzzles that needs to be solved.
They have a good balance between being medium and challenging.
The three levels are meant to be
some sort of old UAC base. They are very -as mentioned- sinister and dark
and lives up to the author's story; "Abandoned for 14 years...."
It also feels like you're working your way through some old base, while not
as impressive and convincing as some other wads, they still manage to build
up a thick-with-evil atmospheres which really becomes the gameplay in a
level built up by such creepy textures and flats. Some areas are extremely
well made and especially the entire of the third level was top notch in my
book.
My advice is: Don't miss out on
this one!