Game:

Doom (1993)

Duration: 23:16

327 views

12

Hey everyone, welcome back to another round of Doomage. The thing on the menu today is a new Ultimate Doom wad by ivymagnapinna called Forsaken Compound. This wad is an Episode 1 replacement intended for limit-removing ports, and is the author's first significant release. Forsaken Compound features a new palette, the incorporation of PSX/Doom 64 sounds, a pervasive sinister atmosphere, and a very skilful mix of horrorish and slaughter scenarios. As the text file notes, the environment is "a tech complex integrating itself into Hell. There's blood in the pipes, flesh in the machinery, and the walls won't take their eyes off you". Sounds great, so let's continue our exploration!

Basic info
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IWAD: doom.wad
Difficulty: Ultra-Violence (pistol start)
Map author: ivymagnapinna
Music: "Bipolar Boogie" by Xulgonoth & Cammy
Port: DSDA-Doom 0.27.5
Compatibility level: 3 (Ultimate Doom)
QoL mods: Colored Blood, Ultrawide Statusbar, Black Gloves
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Additional notes
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An explosive slaughtermap set in a complex that looks like it was specifically designed for murder. Ivy throws most UD conventions out the window, forging an experience that feels more like a Doom II map yet still has that whiff of the first Doom's uneasiness. It makes sense since according to the text file, "the opening area's layout is reused from a scrapped Doom 2 map of mine". The frantic and immediate nature of the action is complemented by a series of both functional and aesthethic details which amplify the vivacious rhythm you're pushed into: crushing pistons, tasteful flesh-and-blood visuals, and the gradual, cinematic revealing of the space available (with more angry hordes to eliminate of course). As a whole, the titlular grinder is a very impressive melding of technology and body horror; but what strikes me even more is how Ivy, in the midst of chaos and masses of evil, actually structured the encounters in a very diligent way, puncturing the big splatfests with subdued moments when you're hunting for the keys, exploring more of the level, cutting down small stampedes, and become apprehensive regarding what you'll have to face next. There's no question that the double spiderdemon + double cyber (et al.) carnage fest is the apex, a battle I fucked up quite hard by eating a very long-distance rocket while attempting to create space for myself. But hey, making the most out of a bad situation also feels good. All in all, turning the tables on the monsters and assuming the role of demon-slaying grinder yourself is cathartic, and 'G.R.I.N.D.E.R.' is a serious contender for the best level of Forsaken Compound while also being one of the most accomplished UD maps I've played.

(There are no secrets in this map)

Links
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WAD:

https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/144468-forsaken-compound-doom-episode-1-replacement/

QoL mods:

Colored Blood:

https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/118074-dsda-doom-source-port-v0243/?page=16

Ultrawide Statusbars:

https://github.com/NightFright2k19/doom_widehud

Black Gloves:

https://www.moddb.com/mods/universal-black-gloves-for-doom

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