Congestion 1024

An interesting concept, and one with a multitude of different mappers that had very different ideas of how to use the cramped space (e.g. verticality, cramped corridors, arenas, ammo starvation, the 1024 take on Dead Simple and IoS). This makes for a varied WAD, albeit one of varying quality (simply put, some interpretations I liked and others I didn't) and not overly balanced in difficulty (with some of the hardest maps in the set's first half). Map 27 is my pick of the bunch and feels like a 'magnum opus' map

Playability notes: Everything works fine in PrBoom+ with -complevel 9. Pistol start on each map is recommended by the text file.

Congestion 1024 is the first of its kind, at least in megawad form, and it triumphantly conveys how unrefined the craft of packing a map into a small space was at the time. As with many limitation projects, it contains notable examples in regards to visual complexity, but a dynamic gameplay experience in such confined compartments must be difficult to achieve if this set is anything to go by. There are a few diamonds in the rough, but the rough is rough indeed.

The concept itself is quite simple: limit the player's area to a 1024x1024-unit square. While enemies and architecture can extend wherever it is desired, the player must not be allowed to step foot beyond their relatively small enclosure. For an example of how little this is to work with, I present Doom II's MAP07, Dead Simple:

The available area is not the outer square, which is available by the end of the map; nor is it the square within that, which is what the player has available to them from the start of the map. Every map in Congestion 1024 confines the player's movement to the square circumscribing the exit and the four mancubus turret squares (in actuality this square is 960x1088, ignoring the lips, but the surface area is about the same). It's a hefty burden, but the goal should be (as with any limitation project) to create a level that plays without the player noticing any limitation at all: here, the player should feel like they can go anywhere, even though there is only a small space to actually go.

Unfortunately, as I anticipated even before playing, many of the levels expose their bottled, boxy boundaries quite brashly. Some even go so far as to abandon typical mapping fundamentals to desperately squeeze their idealized map, tighter and tighter, until it's crushed and crumpled beyond recognition. However, in spite of this expectation, I was impressed by several maps that expertly provided space and progression to the player.

Highlights:

• MAP02 and MAP04 are a step in the right direction, with layouts that keep your focus on the action rather than the limited motion. MAP08 and MAP11 are contrary to this direction, as there is plenty of action available but far too little area to enjoy it.
• If I recommend outright avoiding maps: MAP09, MAP13, MAP14, and MAP22. These aren't even tiny rooms connected by tiny hallways, but the opposite: hallways upon hallways, with the occasional room to break up the monotony. MAP13 in particular is titled "The Focus II" and it's embarrassing to believe that it was in any way inspired by the original.
• MAP15, MAP32, MAP17, and MAP28, on the other hand, are all worth a playthrough (two of those levels are part of the demo reel). They're constrained without being cramped, and difficult purely from a dynamic standpoint.
• MAP07, MAP16, MAP27, MAP30, and (eventually) MAP21 are arena encounters ala Dead Simple. Of these, MAP16 is the most interesting, as the intensity increases over time and can be taken at a variable pace.

I recommend skipping around with pistol starts: MAP01-MAP06, MAP15-MAP20 (including secrets), and MAP25-MAP28 are the most interesting stretches of at least decent maps.

it's pretty weird looking back at this wad in 2020 and wondering just why did people like it back then. Congestion 1024 is perhaps the first full-length megawad emphasizing crampedness in 1024x1024 spaces, and the maps here, at least today, are quite mild. there's a difficulty curve as always, but nothing all newer wads can do better. it's got some strict arena maps, which I frown upon now because they just aren't as fun as other types of maps (except MAP27 which excels in its spiderdemon encounters). the novelty in MAP22 is interesting, as is MAP23 and its mostly starvation-based gameplay. MAP24 and MAP28 are appropriately tough, and the entirety of MAP29 will keep on the toes. still though, it's a neat piece of history, and depending on your take, may be better than some of the more creative children gameplay-wise. basically it's got a little bit of everything inside the little bits of maps you'll find, and although it's feasible to beat these maps in just above an hour at most, there's always at least once little enjoyment factor out of it all.