Hells Kitchen

Never stand under roosting Cacodemons.

Back when I was a kid, my first encounter with the lost soul just about traumatized me. Seeing those scary flaming hate-filled skulls for the first time in that pitch black tunnel in Doom 2 Map 05, and then when they attacked, I had to look away and cancel the game. I literally couldn't sleep because I thought they were going to appear outside my bedroom window at night. My parents told me "you are not playing that game ever again"! I didn't touch Doom 2 for a long time after that, because I was afraid of seeing the bastards again. Ofcourse, these days, they are merely the annoying mosquitoes of hell. But, the lost soul is still an undeniably creepy looking creature.

I'm on Map29. It's been a fun outing, and if you like to "kill the bastards", this is it. The formula became somewhat predictable in the middle of the WAD, but the hell episode really changed things. My first deaths were early on in the hell episode I believe. Perhaps it's the demons luring Doomguy into a false sense of security, sacrificing many of their own in the process, then really pulling out he stops in avenging their fallen. By Map 29 they've well and truly succeeded. My 1st death on Map 29 was from a freaking Zombieman, after taking down basically all the heavyweights with the BFG, lol. Encountering the unexpected, the creative monster placement and map layouts, Wads with this kind of gameplay are whats is worthy of a Cacoward. It's one of those wads that you just want to keep playing, because it's fun. Sure, it somewhat gets predictable near the middle, but even then, the gameplay somehow feels fresh, there is always an unexpected surprise or two, and there is a lot of variety in monster placement. Sometimes you pick up a key and get an almighty ambush, other times not, or even just going near a key or switch, or even walking through a door will have unexpected results. Even discovering the well stocked secrets without even knowing how you did it. I like that. Keeps one on their toes and keeps the wad from getting boring. This guy knows how to use Arachnotrons and Pain Elementals! I like the short maps, keeps it from becoming boring, and keeps the player engaged. Looking forward to Map 30, I know I am not going to get out alive! Pcorf's wads have always jived with me, and this is no exception. Hopefully there'll be a Whispers of Satan 2!