[Now on idgames!] Curiosity and the Cat | limit-removing map

[Ravendesk]

 

Final update:

 

The map is now on idgames!

Download link:

https://www.doomworld.com/idgames/levels/doom2/Ports/a-c/catc

 

There were no changes from RC2 version.

 

RC2 update:

 

Fixed linedefs that start the first fight so the fight cannot be cheesed by triggering them separately.

Download RC2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11EsrbOdqZYlDPicj1zFMmnG_nEoPXa3Q/view?usp=sharing

 

Original post:

 

Curiosity and the Cat is a limit-removing bite-sized slaughter map for Doom 2, inspired by projects like MSCP and Haste. This is my first map.

 

It is rather small, but should be fairly challenging on UV. Other difficulties are also implemented. HMP has just a few less monsters than UV, but gives you much more health, armor and ammo and is much more forgiving in result. HNTR gives you all you need including two invulns to just relax and blast through the enemies.

 

If you are unsure how much challenge you want, select HMP for your blind playthrough.

 

Visuals (simple as they are), were designed with software rendering in mind, so please be sure to use software rendering for the best experience.

This map only uses stock textures as I wanted to limit myself that way for my first map.

 

Compatibility:

Requires limit-removing port, runs in complevel 2.
Tested with dsda-doom -complevel 2, Crispy Doom, GZDoom.
Will not work in pure vanilla ports like Chocolate Doom.
Jumping, crouching, and mouselook should be disabled for the best experience (if your source port has them).

 

This is in RC1 state because I guess for the first map it's very possible that I missed something and the map will need some fixes.

 

Download RC1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lJ2UUKb7sVFn6Xmf1ZjuvyPXqdJwfMzL/view?usp=sharing

 

More screenshots:

Spoiler

 

I hope you enjoy!

 

P.S. Many thanks to @Billa and @Maribo for playtesting the beta and to all the people in Jimmy's mapping discord for helping me out with my newbie mapping/UDB questions.

 

Edited July 21, 2022 by Ravendesk
idgames upload

[Biodegradable]

I gave it a try, but I'm still not cut out for slaughter at this stage. I will say though that what I did see while playing, and in those screenshots, that the map looks really nice. I love the layout and details in the architecture, so congratulations on releasing your first published map! Hopefully, this will get some attention from slaughter enthusiasts. 

Edited July 7, 2022 by Biodegradable

[LadyMistDragon]

I..may not have realize there were difficulty settings. Very clever, late Sunlust-esque combat puzzl-y slaughter stuff. If this is your first map, I'm definitely eager to see what you else you've got cooking up. Just a little tiring at the moment.

lmd_curicat.zip

[Ravendesk]

27 minutes ago, LadyMistDragon said:

I..may not have realize there were difficulty settings. Very clever, late Sunlust-esque combat puzzl-y slaughter stuff. If this is your first map, I'm definitely eager to see what you else you've got cooking up. Just a little tiring at the moment.

lmd_curicat.zip

It is quite interesting to see your blind play, thanks!

[Daytime Waitress]

I got very worried when even Bio said he wasn't cut out for it, but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed bumbling my way through this on HNTR. The map itself was pretty tasty looking, and I loved the revenant-revenant-[redacted] fake-out at the beginning - got a a solid chuckle out of me.

[Ravendesk]

A quick update: uploaded RC2 that fixes the linedefs that start the first big fight so the fight cannot be cheesed by triggering them separately.

Many thanks to Ribbiks for mentioning this to me.

 

I will keep this in RC2 state for around a week and if no critical bugs are found I'll just upload it on idgames.

 

[Custom Longplay]

Man what was that hard. It was a pure hustle and bustle like a slaughterhouse. But I liked it very much.

 

 

[Ravendesk]

3 hours ago, Custom Longplay said:

Man what was that hard. It was a pure hustle and bustle like a slaughterhouse. But I liked it very much.

 

 

That was fun to watch! I did not test this map with Project Brutality or any other mod, so I'm glad you enjoyed it that way.

[Custom Longplay]

35 minutes ago, Ravendesk said:

 That was fun to watch! I did not test this map with Project Brutality or any other mod, so I'm glad you enjoyed it that way.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[Ravendesk]

The map is now on idgames :)

https://www.doomworld.com/idgames/levels/doom2/Ports/a-c/catc

 

I have updated OP to include this link as well.

[lunchlunch]

I played through this map a week ago on UV with saves and enjoyed it but was getting my ass kicked. Tonight I came back to it and recorded a HMP demo and I appreciate the extra ammo on this difficulty (seemingly the only difference, which I thought was cool). Lots of fun, especially attempting saveless runs. Excellent usage of stock textures as well. My only complaint is that some of the detailing on the corners are super easy to get caught on, and it's irritating to die to a cloud of rev rockets just because you got stuck on one of these.

Edited February 12, 2023 by lunchlunch

[Nirvana]

Cool map!

 

Spoiler

The area with the crushable revs is maybe a little easily handled by camping in the doorway after doing a rotation or two around the room and killing the cyber, but it's not too egregious. 

 

Would like to see a set of these from you, looking forward to the next map you make :D

[Ravendesk]

7 hours ago, lunchlunch said:

I played through this map a week ago on UV with saves and enjoyed it but was getting my ass kicked. Tonight I came back to it and recorded a HMP demo and I appreciate the extra ammo on this difficulty (seemingly the only difference, which I thought was cool). Lots of fun, especially attempting saveless runs. Excellent usage of stock textures as well. My only complaint is that some of the detailing on the corners are super easy to get caught on, and it's irritating to die to a cloud of rev rockets just because you got stuck on one of these.

HMP-MAX DEMO

Thanks! Cool demo, glad you enjoyed. I think you missed the fact that

Spoiler

 

stationary cyber and hellknights are getting crushed when you enter the hub after the second arena, so that cleanup can be faster if you open it mid-fight. But it was added as an afterthought and as a result it is not quite obvious that that happens, yeah.

 

Regarding the difficulty - there are also 9 archviles instead of 11 in the final fight on HMP, and I think a few barons are replaced with hellknights at the start of the first big fight, allowing you a bit more freedom in you strategy, e.g. killing chaingunners, revs and HKs and staying there for a bit longer. But that's about it.

 

Regarding getting stuck on the corners detailing - I completely agree, that's something I have to consider for the future.

 

44 minutes ago, Nirvana said:

Cool map!

 

  Hide contents

The area with the crushable revs is maybe a little easily handled by camping in the doorway after doing a rotation or two around the room and killing the cyber, but it's not too egregious. 

 

Would like to see a set of these from you, looking forward to the next map you make :D

Thank you! Have to agree about the second arena, it ended up being a bit cheesable, especially if you save cells in the first fight.

As a matter of fact I have already uploaded my next mapset, but it's a completely different experience from this map, as those are puzzle/platforming maps with only a few actual fights. But still, you can find it here if you are interested: 

 

[Nirvana]

11 hours ago, Ravendesk said:

Thank you! Have to agree about the second arena, it ended up being a bit cheesable, especially if you save cells in the first fight.

As a matter of fact I have already uploaded my next mapset, but it's a completely different experience from this map, as those are puzzle/platforming maps with only a few actual fights. But still, you can find it here if you are interested

Ah didn't realise this came after. Ribbiks actually sent me this to play so I'll have to have a look, clearly highly recommended :D