[idgames] Viscous Realms: a new Boom format map for Doom II

[Horus]

 

Viscous Realms is a large Boom-format hell map that is themed around three of OTEX’s liquids: blood, goop, and lava. Estimated playtime is 1-2 hours.

 

Gameplay-wise, combat starts off simple, but soon escalates into fast-paced and action-packed battles. However, all difficulty settings have been implemented and tested, so all skill levels should be catered for! There is also a significant amount of optional/secret content (marked by the orange, green & black skull bars).

 

DOWNLOAD link: https://www.doomworld.com/idgames/levels/doom2/Ports/v-z/vrealms

 

Screenshots:

 

More screenshots:

Spoiler

 

Information:
Source ports tested: prBoom+ (complevel 9), GZDoom, ZDoom, Eternity

IWAD: Doom II (Map 01)

Music: ‘Mysteries of Egypt’ by @Jimmy

Freelook: Optional 

Jump/crouch: Disabled

Single-player only 

 

Difficulty levels:

UV - Very challenging, be prepared to die frequently unless you are used to difficult maps

Playtesters: Soulless, FrancisT218, BluePineapple72, Dubbag, Nakiserroh

HMP - Takes some of the heat out of the spiciest encounters, whilst still presenting a reasonable challenge 

Playtesters: HAK3180, Austinado

HNTR - Significantly increases the player’s margin for error to make for a more accessible experience, whilst still providing plenty of action

Playtesters: Andromeda, TheEvilGrin, Terminus

 

Credits:

- Huge thanks to Jimmy for both composing the music, and creating the ‘Viscous Realms’ map name logo

- ukiro for the OTEX texture set used in this map

- Mechadon for the status bar, and skillsaw for the HUD border textures

- Everyone who playtested my map - all of your feedback has been incredibly valuable! 

- Special thanks to FrancisT218, Austinado and Terminus for livestreaming their playthroughs on Twitch!

 

Hope you all enjoy!

Edited July 8, 2021 by Horus

[BluePineapple72]

Congratulations on the release! This bad boy was a blast to play!

[princetontiger]

Woah! Incredible map. I died more than a dozen times (I used a few save states after the big room battles).

 

Super detailed, well done, and we need more of these maps! 10/10.

[Terminus]

Congrats on the release! I'm glad I could help with the playtesting, this surely is one hell of a beautiful map. Don't sleep on this one, guys!

[FEDEX]

Finally this gem is released for everyone. Now can i tell about this wad, that is one of the top 10 from 2021. Horus = quality

[roadworx]

oshit, nice. it looks gorgeous, i can't wait to play this one

[Clippy]

This map was crazy hard - I got worn out in the end but overall great visuals and design - I really enjoyed the secrets I found - I should have played on HMP

 

This video will probably take all night to upload so I am posting it here before bed

 

 

[Biodegradable]

Oh man, this is a fucking ball-buster of a map. I foolishly played this on UV and I ALMOST beat it. That last room was just way too infuriating for me. After the 50th death (I exaggerate but it certainly felt that way) I couldn't stand it anymore. I'll have to try it again on HMP at a later date. It's a punishing adventure, but the visuals are incredible, the combat is extremely challenging and absurd at times and the music is beautiful. It's a great map, Horus. Be proud of your work here... you utterly sadistic bastard lmao.

[Clippy]

4 hours ago, Biodegradable said:

Oh man, this is a fucking ball-buster of a map. I foolishly played this on UV and I ALMOST beat it. That last room was just way too infuriating for me. After the 50th death (I exaggerate but it certainly felt that way) I couldn't stand it anymore. I'll have to try it again on HMP at a later date. It's a punishing adventure, but the visuals are incredible, the combat is extremely challenging and absurd at times and the music is beautiful. It's a great map, Horus. Be proud of your work here... you utterly sadistic bastard lmao.

 

I had to save scum the fuck out if that. I might also revisit this in hmp

Edited June 27, 2021 by Clippy
I mean I save scum through most of it but still

[Soulless]

Congrats on the release!

Such an amazing map, cant imagine the hours and struggle to get that final form.

Its a hard one, at least from my double UV experience, died a good amount of times,

there were moments were I really though I was too old for UV, better play carefully!

The crude action combined with a fascinating enviroment really makes everything memorable and

the secrets were like an adventure itself.

Highly recommended!

 

 

 

[Horus]

Thanks a lot for the feedback everyone! I have uploaded a new version of the map in the OP with fixes for a couple of bugs that Zzul identified when streaming my map - namely a HOM and a rogue pain sector.

 

@Clippy @Biodegradable Heh, you're not wrong, UV is very difficult! :D. Regarding HMP, probably the most significant change gameplay-wise that makes things easier is a reduction in the archvile count - HNTR cuts the archviles further still - which as you can imagine makes quite a difference! HMP and HNTR in general don't have a huge monster count reduction compared to UV - most of my difficulty balancing is through replacing higher-tier monsters, and giving the player more health & armor. This was deliberate as I don't like my maps to feel 'empty' on lower difficulties.

Edited June 27, 2021 by Horus

[Clippy]

@Horusgood sounding balance. I often just cull monsters in lower setting making it feel too vacant. I gots to work in that

[Biodegradable]

Replacing higher-tier demons with lower tiers rather than reducing the demon count substantially is a good method in my opinion.

[Suitepee]

https://youtu.be/J55KUkv5b8s

 

My playthrough starts at 1:49:00. Nice map.

[Horus]

Made some further updates based on davidasaad & Zzul's stream (link in OP):

- Fixed issue with crusher puzzle where it could be completed without following the intended method

- Created a small no-exit Level 2 so the player doesn't enter Underhalls

- Plus a couple of other minor adjustments, such as a couple of areas telegraphed more clearly

 

I plan to give it a week or so before uploading this to idgames!

[Horus]

I am pleased to announce that Viscous Realms is now on idgames!

 

https://www.doomworld.com/idgames/levels/doom2/Ports/v-z/vrealms

[FEDEX]

Congrat pal ! A new gem has arrived to the idgames data base 👍