Favourite Map from each episode?

[BaileyTW]

For Episode 1 and 2 it is E1M7, Computer Station, and E2M8, Spawning Vats, for similar reasons. Both are the best and longest example of their episodes theme.

 

For E1M7 this makes it probably my favorite doom 1 map with the best backtrack making sure there is no dead air and the best of Episode 1's visuals.

 

For Spawning Vats it's kinda close, E2M6, Halls of the Damned first of all felt like a bigger milestone for me when I first went through doom and that sticks to me I guess for that map (and is also where my nightmare playthrough in backwards episode order has been stuck for a year), it is also the spookiest and also has the best Doom texture of any commercial doom wad and dare I say any doom wad period, GRAYDANG. It too has little dead air and the best like in-map narrative with that fake exit and the 3 keys to open the exit I think it is the best designed episode 2 map I'll give it that. I think Spawning Vats baaarely nudges ahead cause it is a better uvtyson playthrough.

 

For episode 3 it's a close one between E3M3, Pandamonium, and E3M4, House of Pain. Pandamonium is a chaotic mix of a lot of aesthetics and I dig maps like that, and I have nothing special to say about House of Pain it is just a neat map I guess. Of the 2 I have to give it to E3M6, Mt. Erebus, because FIREBLU building.

 

For episode 4 it's also a very close one between E4M2, Perfect Hatred, and E4M6, Against Thee Wickedly. Perfect Hatred has my favorite cacodemon encounter of Doom 1, while E4M6 has the best used cyberdemon of Doom 1 and 2. Both have a neat aesthetic to em and just playing em is fun. I think E4M2 beats this out for being the most quality per hour it took to make the map.

 

As for Sigil, it is extremely hard to not give this to E5M8, Halls of Perdition, for the midi alone. Cause it's a good map no doubt about it, but the midi, Easel, elevates the map to my absolute favorite of Sigil. E5M4, Paths of Wretchedness, is just a better map though. I like what the map is going for even if it is kind of the least visually striking Sigil map.

[Tarnsman]

Fav:

E1M6

E2M2

E3M7

E4M6

 

Least Fav:

E1M9

E2M9

E3M9

E4M5

[jazzmaster9]

For me its

E1M2

E2M1

E3M6

E4M2

[robocaco]

E1M3

E2M2

E3M5

E4M1

[abunchoftrash]

E1M6 (Because this level just oozes Doom juice everywhere)
E2M9 (HOLD YOUR MOUTH FOR WARRRRRRR) 
E3M3 (Fucking Slayerrrrrrrrrrrr and Flesh Walls with Pinkies)
E4M0 (Because fuck Thy Flesh Consumed)
E5M1 (Surrender to Jimmy Paddock's Midis)

[nicolas monti]

A tough one:

 

E1M7

E2M2

E3M4

E4M6

[BetelgeuseSupergiant]

E1: E1M3 Toxin Refinery

E2: E2M7 Spawning Vats

E3: E3M3 Pandemonium
E4: no

 

[Fabiano1991]

Suburbios do doom 2

 

Centro de comando  do primeiro episódio do doom 1.(a fase 4)

Spawing vats do 2 episódio: shores of hell.

E monte erebus do terceiro : Hell.

 

  

 

[Fabiano1991]

Subúrbios e monte erebus gosto pro parecerem cidades abertas com vários lugares para explorar.

Edited January 24, 2023 by Fabiano1991

[Ennello]

Wow this is quite the bump. But it's a pretty interesting thread.

Regardless, here's my list:

 

E1M6

E2M4 --> Make that E2M2. I have a soft spot for crate mazes and berserk fiestas.

E3M3

E4M6

Edited January 29, 2023 by Ennello

[Geniraul]

E1M6 Central Processing

E2M4 Deimos Lab

E3M6 Mt. Erebus

E4M9 Fear

[Budoka]

E1M7: Computer Station 

E2M6: Halls of the Damned

E3M6: Mt.Erebus

E4M2: Perfect Hatred

 

Sigil E3M7: Nightmare Underworld

MAP27: Monster Condo

Nerve.wad MAP06: Inferno of Blood

TNT MAP27: Mount Pain

Plutonia MAP32: Go 2 It

 

There might be a common thread running through these choices.

[Professor Hastig]

So this got bumped out of the bowels of hell?

 

Anyway here's my take:

 

Doom 1:

E1M7 - like so many people already said it is the culmination of what E1 is. Plus the best music track of the game.

E2M2 - that crate maze with its grunting imps never loses its appeal

E3M6 - this is a tough one, it just ekes out the win because it is different from what came before.

E4M6 - it gets points deduced for using a cyberdemon that's mandatory to kill without any room to maneuver but still manages to beat the rest.

 

Doom 2:

nothing really. I surely couldn't pick any for each separate 'episode', but overall I'd say MAP22 because it is short 'n quick. :P

 

 

 

[bofu]

Episode 1: E1M4. I like how you can tackle the areas in any order, and there's a good use of verticality to keep enemy fire focused on the player in many parts. The music is also a banger.

 

Episode 2: E2M4. I like how this map combines hellish and tech architecture, and it's got a good gameplay loop.

 

Episode 3: E3M3. This map is legitimately enjoyable and feels like a return to form. It has some great and varied architecture. E3M7 is a close second.

 

Episode 4: E4M5. I'm a sucker for the marble textures used in Doom, and I also like when you can jump through windows for shortcuts.

 

Doom 2: MAP06. There's a nice variety between corridor shooting and wide open arenas.

 

TNT: MAP09. It's hitscan hell, but not in an unfair way, and it keeps you on your toes.

 

Plutonia: MAP32. I remember being terrified of this map when I first played it, but now, it's a great way to unwind.

[LSC Lasico]

Ultimate doom:

episode 1: E1M7 command centre. I feel like it is the perfect culmination of everything E1 up until that point. It is atmospheric, nice to explore and has the best combat set pieces in the episode.

episode 2: A tie. E2m2 containment area and e2m6 halls of the damned. An incredibly tense, complex and memorable experiences. They are pretty much peak doom 1 for me. They have the best midis, which suit them like a glove and were extremely creative for their time (E2m6 ESPECIALLY).

episode 3: Mt. Erebus. No debate. It quite honestly feels like the magnum opus of classic doom. Made all the more insane by the limitations of it’s time. It does something crazy which hasn’t been seen up until that point and executes it perfectly. Imo it would have been a much better penultimate map than limbo.

Doom II:

Maps01-06:

Map06: The crusher: good action, nice layout, creative set pieces and good progression.

maps07-11: 

A tie: map09: the pit ands map 10: incredibly tense to pistol start, but a joy nonetheless. Those maps are actually challenging and make me think about my resource management, while being fun on top of it. The pit is especially memorable for it’s central gimmick, but i feel much more warm towards refueling base.

maps12-20:

map18: the courtyard. I absolutely love it’s atmosphere. A small, silent courtyard, which is filled with monsters when you try to collect health. It’s suddenly spiked monster density results in probably the best action so far. And i can’t forget the trollish blue key placement, which, to my knowledge, was never replicated anywhere since then.

maps21-30:

map27: monster condo. Dreadful and silent. This map managed to encase it in it’s atmosphere, while still managing to deliver a massive punch to an un expecting player. The jump to a different dimension set piece is extremely memorable and well done, albeit short, and it’s combat sequences are thrilling.

[purist]

Ultimate Doom

 

E1M5 - Romero

This was a favourite when I first got the game and it stuck with me. I think it is primarily the cinematic visual of the giant walkway emerging up from the nukage but I also liked the progression and enjoyed some of the shootouts setup with sergeants.

 

E2M2 - Hall/Petersen

Another holdover favourite from childhood. The crate maze felt as close to a real life place as Doom got. Plus we have the introduction of the bezerk pack, smartly placed in a map with no hitscanners.

 

E3M2 - Petersen

Even before I worked out the gimmick automap shape I thought this map had a unique personality. Taking place almost entirely outdoors this is about as close as Doom gets to a nature map. The open layout allows monsters to freely roam the rocky landscape hunting you as you scramble for supplies.

 

E4M1 - McGee

Brutal in it's simplicity. A shortage of health and armour gives an already vicious map an even more dangerous edge. American McGee's neat visual style lends a somehow conservative yet otherworldly atmosphere. E4 is known for it's uneven difficulty progression but this is a perfect opening to the final episode.

 

Doom II

 

Circle of Death - Romero

I can't bring myself to split Doom II I to four lopsided length episodes so for the purposes of this post this is Doom II's episode closer. Most of my favourites are in the first 11 maps of Doom II so this can change on a daily basis but I love the use of central walkway loop to add a new dynamic to the hub style layout.

 

Inmost Dens - McGee

Out of place in the City episode but probably the most visually impressive - and influential of Doom II. It plays well too with carefully placed chaingunners and an arch vile waiting to chase you out his house.

 

Monster Condo - Petersen

I'll admit, I don't often play the Hell levels of Doom II. And I know the correct choice is the Living End, but I don't care. I choose Monster Condo. I have fond memories of playing co-op on this map and I found the playfulness of the concept quite charming.

[bloxminer223]

Knee Deep in the Dead - E1M2

I like the feel of it. I usually speedrun all the secrets of E1M1 and I often do the same with the following level, running through and getting that satisfying chaingun secret at the beginning.

 

The Shores of Hell - E2M1/E2M7

I love E2M1. It puts energy in me after rushing through Knee Deep in the Dead. The kickass song, the frantic gameplay, the introduction of new demons and the clever secrets. It's a banger.

Although it is definitely tied with E2M7. The shape and design of the level is magnificent. It's the most immersively designed levels in DOOM I in my opinion and shows what much of the DOOM II level design lacks. Fun fact about this level: Did you know that the song in Spawning Vats is referenced 5 minutes and 47 seconds into BFG Division? It slaps.

 

Inferno - E3M6

This map is a classic where you truly just let rip on the demons. It's awesome. The way you leave the map is very confusing however so I get why people dislike it.

 

Thy Flesh Consumed - E4M2

Perfect Hatred is my favorite purely because of how borderline unfair it is. It's special.

[Gifty]

I really love the way e1m7 is the culmination Of all the mechanics episode 1 has carefully taught you.

 

Also e4m2 is possibly the best map in doom 1!

[pcorf]

E1M7, E2M6, E3M6, E4M6

[RaRu Des2122]

The Ultimate Doom:

E1M3: Toxin Refinery
E2M4: Deimos Lab
E3M6: Mt. Erebus (the best map from all 36 for me)
E4M2: Perfect Hatred

Sigil - E5M4: Paths of Wretchedness

Doom II: Hell on Earth - Map28: The Spirit World
Final Doom: TNT Evilution - Map20: Central Processing
Final Doom: The Plutonia Experiment - Map23: Tombstone

[xScavengerWolfx]

I had to make sure i wasn't going to double post here lol.

 

Anyways for Doom 1 favorite would be

 

Keep deep in the dead:

 

E1M2

 

E1M3

 

E1M5

 

E1M7

 

Least favorite of Ep. 1

 

E1M1 (It's everyone's go-to map)

 

E1M8

 

E1M9

 

E1M4

 

Shores of hell:

 

E2M2

 

E2M4

 

E2M5

 

E2M6

 

E2M8

 

Least favorite:

 

E2M1

 

E2M9

 

Inferno

 

E3M5

 

E3M7

 

E3M9

 

Least favorite:

 

The rest of them.

 

For thy flesh consumed would have to be E4M1 and E4M6 the rest can go down the drown.

[dyshoria]

ep 1:e1m1

 

ep 2:e2m3

 

ep 3:e3m6

 

ep 4:e4m2

[taedev]

Episode 1:

E1M3 (Toxin Refinery)

close behind: E1M5 (Phobos Lab)

also notable: E1M6 (Central Processing) and E1M7 (Computer Station)

 

These top two are the ones I have the most nostalgia for, and the ones I like the most. I certainly played E1M1 as a kid, and it scared me so much that I had to play it with cheats. It's fine, but it hasn't held up as much as 3 and 5.

 

Episode 2:

E2M2 (Containment Area). Lots to do, lots of places to go, lots to punch. I like it.

Also notable: E2M4 (Deimos Lab) and E2M3 (Refinery). I'm not sure why people don't like E2M3, because I do. I like what the vines add to the atmosphere, and it's kind of non-linear, so I like that too.

 

Episode 3:

E3M4 (House of Pain). Fun with the berserk, fun with crushers. Not as fun to pacifist, but just don't pacifist.

Also notable: E3M7 has grown on me. Wide open spaces, creepy atmosphere.

 

Episode 4:

E4M5 (They Will Repent). The texturing is bland, but I like the level design. Somehow this is my favorite.

close behind: E4M6 (Against Thee Wickedly). Definitely not bland, lots of adventure, lots of challenge.

 

Episode 5:

E5M4 (Paths of Wretchedness)
close behind: E5M7 (Nightmare Underworld). Maybe a little less fun to play, but more fun to watch than E5M4.

 

I like the adventure and the atmosphere in both.

 

Doom II:

Map 24 (The Chasm). My favorite by far. Lots to explore, very non-linear. You can make this level as easy or as hard as you want.

2nd place: Map 04 (The Focus).

3rd place (tied): Map 18 (The Courtyard) and Map 19 (The Citadel).

 

I have trouble explaining why I like these maps, aside from them mostly being non-linear and having a lot to explore. E1M3, E2M2, E3M4, E4M5, E5M4, and The Chasm are my favorites, with The Chasm is my favorite of all of them.

Edited January 30, 2023 by taedev

[ENEMY!!!]

Episode 1: E1M3, Toxin Refinery.  I really like the secrets in this one, the hidden Supercharge, the yellow key secret and the route to the secret level.  For me, E1M2, E1M5 and E1M7 are almost as good.

Episode 2: E2M4, Deimos Lab, mainly for its atmosphere which I found genuinely scary when I played it for the first time.  E2M2 and E2M6 are close behind (again E2M6 was one of the scarier maps when I first played it, and E2M2 has the iconic crate maze done well).

Episode 3: E3M6, Mt Erebus.  Not sure exactly why, probably because it was a bit different and worked well, and it can be scary in a good way having tons of Cacodemons being released around the map as you progress and being unsure of when they'll pounce.  E3M4 is a close second.

Episode 4: E4M6, Against Thee Wickedly, mainly for the atmosphere, architecture and progression.  E4M2 and E4M7 are the other standouts.

Edited February 1, 2023 by ENEMY!!!