Good map sets similar to Doom 1 Episode 1

[SPG]

I'm seeking out good map sets that aren't just "techbase" sets, but that specifically set out to capture the feel of Episode 1 (or at least include it). The ones I'm aware of that are well received are:

• Knee-Deep in Knee-Deep in ZDoom (and Knee-Deep in ZDoom for that matter)
• Doom the Way Id Did
• Stickney Installation

 

Are there others out there akin to the above? If so, can you link them please?

Edited August 2, 2023 by SPG

[Chris Hansen]

@Arrowhead and his very comprehensive list to the rescue!

 

 

[SPG]

9 minutes ago, Chris Hansen said:

@Arrowhead and his very comprehensive list to the rescue!

 

 

Thank you for linking the comprehensive list. Out of those, is there a way to know which of those are worth the time to check out? I'm under the impression that many aren't that good, but I may be misinformed.

[Arrowhead]

10 minutes ago, SPG said:

Thank you for linking the comprehensive list. Out of those, is there a way to know which of those are worth the time to check out? I'm under the impression that many aren't that good, but I may be misinformed.

Here are a bunch that I know are good, or are at the very least, interesting:

 

900 Deep in the Dead
2001 - a Doom Odyssey - Episode 1 Demo Release
Alpha Accident
Base Ganymede - Episode 1
Cannonball's Speedy Episode 1
CH Retro Episode
Bury My Heart Knee-Deep
Danne's E1
Deadly Standards
Doom the Way id Did - The Lost Episodes
Double Impact
Fava Beans
Favillesco - Episode 1
Fernito's Phobos Base
Hell on Phil - Phantom Phobos [phanphob.wad]
Industrial Techware Doom
Knee-Deep in ZDOOM
Needs More Detail [E1 Release]
Nine Rings of Hell
Return to Hadron - E1
Shotgun Symphony
Simply Phobos [2010 Revised version]
Sons of Ares
The 5th Project of DOOM
URE2020

 

Definitely check out Fava Beans and URE2020. They're some of my favorites. 

 

:)

[Somniac]

No Sleep for the Dead is as good as it gets IMO, though it does blur the lines slightly with a bit of an E2 feel at points. There's a whole bunch of stuff on that big list above I'd wholly endorse, like CH Retro Episode, The Classic Episode (again not exclusively E1-esque), Base Ganymede E1, Return to Hadron E1, and Phobos: Anomaly Reborn.

[Arrowhead]

4 minutes ago, Somniac said:

No Sleep for the Dead is as good as it gets IMO, though it does blur the lines slightly with a bit of an E2 feel at points. There's a whole bunch of stuff on that big list above I'd wholly endorse, like CH Retro Episode, The Classic Episode (again not exclusively E1-esque), Base Ganymede E1, Return to Hadron E1, and Phobos: Anomaly Reborn.

These are good recommendations - forgot how much fun NSftD is.

 

I've got to update that list sometime soon, I feel I'm missing a bit of the new stuff.

[SPG]

Thank you both! Recommendations don't have to be strictly E1 related (I actually am also keen on E2's blend approach), but I appreciate the suggestions that include the E1 influence in them.

To be fair, I'm not even super-strict on, say, if there's a Doom 2 megawad that basically emulates the Doom 1 progression and level design/texture look, but also just happens to have the super shotgun and the Doom 2 monster roster in it. My interest would still be on more the "Episode 1"-like parts, and I realize that probably starts opening up a subjective can of worms as to what makes that different from, say, standard Doom 2 that also opens its first third with more "techbase"-y stuff. I don't have a good answer to making those distinctions, but hopefully folks understand.

[TheSlipgateStudios]

Thanks, going to use the lists for my own youtube projects!

[Somniac]

If I might self-promote for a moment seeing as not strictly E1 style wads are being considered, I made an E1 replacement this year that's sort of like a "nocturnal" E1 of fairly small techbase maps with a Hell map thrown in, using only spooky MIDIs:

 

 

I wasn't specifically trying to emulate E1, but someone did say they thought it was like KDITD'S evil twin, hehe. The secret level is pretty much a remake of Hangar too. Might be something you'd like! 

[Arrowhead]

11 minutes ago, Somniac said:

...I made an E1 replacement this year that's sort of like a "nocturnal" E1 of fairly small techbase maps with a Hell map thrown in, using only spooky MIDIs.

I've added this to the episodes list. 

 

Excited to try this one.

[Captain Keen]

Some good mentions here. I’d also add Silence as a fantastic vanilla-ish wad with a great episode 1. Don’t forget the first episodes of No End in Sight and 2022ADO too.

[Firedust]

Sad few people remember VoE.

 

[LadyMistDragon]

NostalDoom