Songs of the Damned

Okay, so like, I get why this one was on the Most Memorable Maps list. I understand. It's a distinct map for sure. But, like... I dunno, it doesn't feel that memorable to me. Is it really the 85th most memorable Doom map ever? I know I've bitched about this before, but in what world is this map more memorable than 96% of Going Down?

The map itself is pretty alright. It's quite a long one, so iori absolutely deserves props for keeping my attention for its entire runtime. The visuals are astonishing for 2006 and have aged surprisingly well. My main gripe is that the actual gameplay of "Songs of the Damned" just sorta... exists? It's not bad (mostly), but the level's so nonlinear that none of the fights even really feel like "fights," it's more "inconvenient happenstances that tend to bleed together." That usually isn't an issue for me (the fights in "Warp of Time" also just kinda exist), but this isn't the kind of map where aesthetics can completely carry it. All of the fights feel like such afterthoughts that I'm constantly wondering whether I'm actually doing something right, if I skipped a key, or if there was a secret earlier in the level that makes this one section way faster.

The encounter in the graveyard feels especially sloppy. iori just kinda slapped a bunch of monsters in there at random in this map where ammo isn't exactly plentiful WELL before you can get a Super Shotgun (making the whole encounter really tedious if you're trying to save ammo (which you should be)) and then had the GALL to make me solve a really confusing puzzle that instantly kills you if you get it wrong. Seriously? Why?

Like always, no shade to the actual writers of the Memorable Maps list, but I struggle to think of reasons that "Songs of the Damned" earns its spot on the list outside of historical significance. I do still think it's worth playing to some extent, but with the caveat that (at least in my opinion) it's better as a history lesson.

OVERALL RATING: 6/10

Here we have a large fortress type of place with snazzy architecture that's a nice mix of outside and interior areas populated with lots of enemies. While you're in those outside places you really have to be aware of any possible flak that's incoming and a few times arachnotron fire hit me from the side or back from a distance while I was dodging attacks from other angles. It's possible to also get some fun infighting going in some places and overall this is a fun map to play as it mixes areas that are easy to fight through with challenging places that will keep you on your toes. A couple times I got slightly lost but it didn't take much roaming to figure out where to go next. In the end I only found 2 out of 7 secrets. iori delivered with a large map that has good atmosphere and fun fights.

A very nice and pretty relaxing level. One flaw is that the progression can be quite obscure sometimes, you simply aren't sure where to go.

was this a wad that deserved a cacoward? probably back in the day, but it certainly isn't the kind I would consider. it's an interesting but still confusing map, with Eternal Doom style gameplay plus the familiar castle assets. to top it off, it completely lacks hitscanners, something that's uncommon in quite a lot of Doom maps. it's got a few nasty bits, and it's pretty easy to get lost. the yellow key puzzle, honestly i'm not even sure what the clue is at all, you just hit one switch but for me it's trial and error. the rest of the map that follows is alright, apparently winding back around to previous areas, something that was done in Eternal Doom MAP25. don't miss the stray cacodemons, they can be somewhat sneaky. but then again, try your best not to get lost, because if you do, you'll probably like this wad less.

Songs of the Damned is a nonlinear temple styled level with great (in a few spots annoying) detailing that has challenging early combat. The only complaints I have towards this level are some of the floor trim that can make tight hallways annoying to traverse and the lava pit that comes out for the yellow key. Otherwise I don't have too much to say about this level except that it looks pretty and has nice use of verticality.