Fun, challenging set of maps that looks much better than you might expect for the time it was made. These maps will still slap you around a bit on HMP if you're not staying sharp. The author is fond of Chaingunner ambushes which keep you on your toes. I didn't find the SSG until around MAP05, which was cool, I like when its not given out too early. Pistol-starting the last two maps is pretty tough, but doable.
The map designs do a really good job of letting the player see crucial areas from different angles through progression and the layouts are really tidy overall, and feel a bit more modern than a lot of other 94/95 maps I've played. There are some really nice large-scale vistas (like the start of MAP06), nice uses of verticality and a good mixture of tight and more open combat.
Recommended!
Spectacular visuals and engaging combat make this an absolute must play. There's a puzzle with a "Shoot the thing" answer that kind of comes out of left field and can be an easy place to get stuck if you're not on your toes, but that hardly stops the map from being a thrilling masterpiece.
E3M9's refrain of back-tracking to a church for keys is a little tedious, and there are a few moments where things can become a frustrating key/switch hunt as you figure out what to do next, but aside from that, this an intense and rewarding adventure with beautiful lighting and architecture.