Hatred Removed

Having recently been highly impressed with Datacore's maps in 180 Minutes Pour Vivre, and now being done with that set, i decided to further see his output.  This episode is entirely different, being completely vanilla and classic in style, as well as not being located in hell, so the aesthetics are very different, so it was interesting to see how Datacore would (succeed to?) craft beauty with different and more limited elements at his disposal.  Whilst i have learned to appreciate some modern mapsets, classic style will always remain my favourite.

Replacing Episode 1, the levels have an interesting abstract resemblance to the original, and the difficulty curve, as far as i can ascertain and remember (it is a long time ago since i actually played through Ep1, but i have watched it played many times in the last few months), is precisely similar, and i think that's an uncanny achievement.  Also for example the first level has structurally nothing in common with its original counterpart, yet the feel and the length of the level are replicated to a very high degree.

The levels get progressively longer and more complex, but in similar vein, in tandem with the original, and never stumbling into fields of modernism. 

Please note, by the way, that i was comparing the difficulty curve, not difficulty in itself.  Difficulty is perhaps almost one whole skill-level higher than in original Knee-deep in the Dead, and similarly the level design is perhaps especially in later levels slightly more complex.  By standards prevalent today this does not make the set difficult, but unless you prefer modern style gameplay, this will at times offer a good challenge, too.

i played this through on HMP (continuous and blind), and deaths incurred can be counted with fingers of one hand.  Still, the ambience is one of unease, thanks to excellent architecture and visuals, the detailing also is generous and always appropriate, and there is too some really effective use of ambient sounds, particularily of Pinkies, to enhance the mood.  Yet, like mentioned before, this is no walk in the park gameplay-wise, either.  Autopiloting will be punished, and is illadviced anyway, because at least personally i found exploration rewarding. 

Not only as a remake of Episode 1 this is a remarkable and rare wad, shooting straight into my personal top five.  i do not know yet, but i hope Datacore has also remade the other episodes, but whether he has or not, the next set i play will also be his.

hey i knew these levels from Endless Torture, hah. fun set still. fight me.