Is BTSX the best vanilla-compatible megawad so far?

[noshutdown]

well, talking about "best" can always be controversial, but in terms of map design, visual effects, and difficulty, i havn't seen any vanilla megawads matching it yet. there are many other great megawads, but most of them use boom features and require limit removing.

maybe the only drawbacks are not filling all 32 level slots, and the end of episode2 remains dubious.

[PasokonDeacon]

In some ways I'd consider it the most impressive, or at least in that tier, but "map design" and "difficulty" remain points of contention. Quite a few players would rate other older and newer vanilla-compatible megawads higher on those two items alone. Being the best matters less than bringing some valid and unique approach or theme/set of themes to vanilla which hasn't happened yet.

[Devalaous]

I still waiting for Episode 2 to get a final release (how does this take so long!?) so I cant really judge it much, but it does seem to the biggest one out there in, errr. production values?

[Jaws In Space]

Picking a best megawad based on map design & difficulty really comes down to an individuals personal taste. For example a player who enjoys slaughter or puzzle maps probably wouldn't label BTSX E1 as the best vanilla megawad. On the other hand visual effects are a bit more objective, & in that department BTSX E1 does excel & is certainly near the top. To answer your question from my own personal standpoint based on all 3 of your points I would say that REKKR is the best vanilla megawad of all time.

 

If you are looking for more vanilla megawads to play, here is a list of 35.

1994-12-13 NJ Doom
1995-11-20 Cleimos II
1995-12-10 Memento Mori
1996-03-21 Icarus: Alien Vanguard
1996-05-31 TNT Evilution
1996-05-31 The Plutonia Experiment
1996-07-27 Memento Mori II
1996-08-xx Perdition's Gate
1996-08-xx Hell to Pay
1996-10-31 Realm of Chaos
1997-05-02 Hell Revealed
1997-07-04 Requiem
1997-09-14 S.T.R.A.I.N
1997-11-14 Eternal Doom
1997-11-27 Invasion
1998-03-15 Invasion 2
1998-10-19 Mars War
1999-12-19 Demonfear
2001-09-16 Revolution!
2002-07-24 2002: A Doom Odyssey
2002-12-26 Alien Vendetta
2003-04-10 Scythe
2003-12-31 Hell Revealed II
2005-03-09 Kama Sutra
2008-12-31 Plutonia 2
2010-11-25 Epic 2
2011-04-19 Plutonia: Revisited Community Project
2011-12-10 Doom the Way id Did
2012-01-18 Base Ganymede: Complete
2013-12-23 Doom 2 the Way Id Did

2014-10-28 Switcheroom
2017-03-09 Back to Saturn X E1
2017-05-29 TNT Revilution
2018-08-04 Doom 64 for Doom II
2018-09-02 REKKR

Edited September 18, 2019 by Jaws In Space

[seed]

It depends largely on how you define "best", that's a highly subjective topic.

 

In terms of visuals and atmosphere, BTSX is certainly one of the most impressive vanilla-compatible wads I've played, but there's other great wads that were made for vanilla, with classics such as HR, AV, and especially Eternal Doom (honestly, considering the complexity of the maps and the visuals, ED is easily one of the most ambitious things to come out in the '90s).

Edited September 19, 2019 by seed

[ReaperAA]

@Jaws In Space There are also The Darkening E1 (1999) and E2 (2000) which are 2 really good wads imho (though they are not megawads as they only have 11 and 12 levels respectively).

Edited September 18, 2019 by ReaperAA

[StoneMason]

I do love me some BTSX. Episode 2 especially is impressive to me, with large detailed maps like Speedtraps, Unstable Journey, and Fireking being vanilla compatible. Looking forward to when it gets a final release (and Episode 3 releasing, too!).

I still have a soft spot for the Memento Moris though.

[Graf Zahl]

The two BTSX WADs are unquestionably among the very top of vanilla compatible mods, but my favorite, even after 19 years, is still The Darkening Episode 2.

 

 

[Roofi]

Nothing beats Kama Sutra for me.

[Lorenz0]

I'd say it's the best vanilla one in terms of visuals. I haven't seen anything else come close.

[The_SloVinator]

In my opinion, not the best but definitely unique & of a very high quality for a vanilla-compatible wad.

[Doom_Dude]

What Graf said. The Darkening Episode II is a wad I tend to go back to when I feel like playing something well designed, is a joy to play and an inspiration in the level design department.

Edited September 18, 2019 by Doom_Dude

[Solmyr]

Not the best for me, but one of the most memorable and alongside E2 one of the most impressive vanilla compatible wads, but still not worthy of being the best, that would be Plutonia 3.

[Linguica]

I would nominate Kama Sutra 2 for its impressive vanilla-compat work, but it's unfinished so no one can play it :(

[JBerg]

BTSX is my personal favourite

[Robo_Cola]

Personal favorite vanilla-compatible?: Memento Mori 2

 

Technical standpoint?: BTSX/Plutonia 2/NEIS(minus 4th episode)/Plutonia Revisited are about even.

[GarrettChan]

@Jaws In SpaceJenesis is Boom compatible.

[Mk7_Centipede]

them textures are so so so amazing.

 

also:

 

Edited September 21, 2019 by Mk7_Centipede

[Firedust]

Short answer: no.

[NuMetalManiak]

I did not know Eternal Doom was vanilla-compatible

[jeroa]

cyberdreams is an oldie but a goodie

[[McD] James]

One of the best for sure. I prefer Ancient Aliens though.

[jeroa]

AA is boom tho

[Maximum Matt]

On 9/18/2019 at 8:17 PM, Roofi said:

Nothing beats Kama Sutra for me.

And Doom is a pretty cool game as well.

*cymbal crash*

[Juza]

On 9/18/2019 at 7:17 AM, Roofi said:

Nothing beats Kama Sutra for me.

Words to live by...

[Mk7_Centipede]

does anybody say 'back to saturn ten?'