Controlled System

This is a riff on Computer Station that starts off unassuming, like a nondescript DTWID map with its uniform STAR* texturing and sparse, lower-tier opposition. But after a short while, it starts revealing that there is more to it. 

The long vantages across its open spaces and the scattered opposition and the warped, jagged wall geometry result in a vibe of eerie desolation, especially when you spot monsters far away from you like ants, flickering momentarily in front of windows. In Memfis fashion, there is a recurring tasteful use of "sector gizmos": building stairs and falling platforms, and light pads that you need to step on to momentarily illuminate dark computer mazes. The design can be even more spare than Doom's, but what gives it a strong sense of place is the way areas are regimented visually into regions, with a convincing design logic uniting everything. Upstairs in the "computer station" region, there is a lot of STARTAN and STARGR, but this is surrounded, pretty much enveloped by an outer nukage-filled ring of grimier brown and green walls, which creates a neat structural-spatial effect. Exploration is more like taking a circuitous path through alternating habitats rather than traveling room to room to room. One of the big ideas inflecting that exploration is the use of radsuits essentially as keys, necessary for extended swims through nukage you aren't sure when will end, which spices up the light combat around it. I was reminded of Shotgun Symphony's desolation, although without that wad's immense scale, and certainly without its explosive rocket play. Controlled System goes more for a vibe of horror and dreariness, and doesn't try to match even Computer Station's intensity and use of packed monster closets. 

The MIDI was not my favorite aspect of this -- it's kind of a droning, dull track, even though I see what the choice was going for -- but this was a solid 12-minute experience overall.

recommend playing on ITYTD to learn the secrets then UV to see if you can survive with full knowledge. working out the chaingun secret is a joy, anyway! some clever "scripting" here, map has its own energy and isn't a TWID thing entirely

An open and dynamic E1M7 styled map, with a nice effect on the nukage to add. One criticism is the lack of health items as there is next to none the entire time, although not necessarily a bad thing if you play carefully. Otherwise, a fun solid map for those who are fond of E1M7 or just Knee-Deep in the Dead as a whole.