Pak Attack: Retro Jam 4 + DLC: Episode 4 Tribute Theme (2015-2016) [BQTN 148 | PC w/ Quakespasm]
1I was certainly wary of what I was signing up for with a theme like this, as Episode 4 is certainly my least favorite episode (largely due to spawns, naturally). That being said, I managed to enjoy this pak (and "DLC") as there were plenty of interesting maps to experience. Although a few of them could've done with more lighting...
Retro Jam 4 and its DLC ended up potentially being useful preparation, as Zigi just tweeted yesterday about working on an E4-themed episode with NewHouse. So that'll be something interesting (and probably brutal) to look out for.
00:00 - Intro
03:04 - Elderworld Basement by EricW
Going through this pak alphabetically makes for an immediately rude awakening. This map requires a lot of good reflexes and quick uptake.
14:25 - Sandy's Hollow by FifthElephant
This map is certainly a redemption after how rough I found Fifth's map in Retro Jam 3 to be.
26:30 - I Have no Ammo and I Must Scream by Scampie
Very short map with quite a unique idea, with a particularly trippy bit mid-way through.
31:26 - Red Hatred by Skacky
Easily the standout of the initial release in terms of detail. Also lives up to its name in a few spots, including one spawn ambush that seems entirely unreasonable without a secret powerup, so that bit wasn't the best.
52:53 - Cochlear Avulsion by ItEndsWithTens
This map's final room is a direct callback to episode 4... but with a hilarious twist thrown in.
1:10:44 - The Wretched Alcazar by Text_Fish
This map might not knock anyone's socks off, but it seems somewhat unique and does some interesting things in terms of layout.
1:24:08 - Shotgun Fornication by Zwiffle
Extremely short, under-lit, and under-resourced. I basically ran through the 2nd half of the map ignoring everything and begging John Travolta to get out of the way.
1:47:45 - "DLC": Ascension by DeeDoubleU
This does a decent job of providing an E4-esque challenge that feels adequately retro... but good lord it sure likes to spawn enemies behind you, though at least it's more subtle about it than some paks I've played that immediately spawn enemies right on your butt. This map has a neat pentagram secret behind some slope jumps, but I was a little disappointed that it didn't capitalize on it by following up with a secret under the lava elevator - it was just begging for one! (Then again, the pentagram secret is pretty useful - maybe borderline necessary, unfortunately - for the end of the map, and you wouldn't have time to use it for both.)
2:17:20 - "DLC": The Elder Reality by PuLSaR
This could easily be the standout map of the entire set when including the "DLC". The original version of this map included in the jam was already pretty impressive in terms of how far it went given the short time frame, but PuLSaR clearly invested a ton of time and effort in completing the idea he began during the jam, incorporating a room from each map in E4 - even incorporating the secret map as a secret, hiding another really cool secret under the surface if you're inquisitive enough...
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For more BQTN (Better Quake Than Never), see details and the full playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfGxDQwmTH6y1mhQzUaCZ6XxXxspG7Z19
This was originally livestreamed. Catch BQTN live on weekends at 8PM US Eastern on YouTube, Twitch, or Glimesh! You can find links to all 3 on my site at https://cney.stream/ along with a page listing everything I've played in the series.
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