The Darkening Episode 2

Has a higher chance of getting into repetition compared to the first. That said, the components themselves are all quite good - design, textures, overall look, even most of the gameplay. And it has a considerably longer playing time if you don't get tired of it. Try it, at least.

This is even more impressive than the first episode, although with the difference in themes I like to treat them semi-independently. Still, I guess that's why it's called "Episode 2". There were a few points of minor confusion, but this is unquestionably a top-notch level set whose theme can still stand out even today as semi-unique.

To be honest, I didn't like it too much. The music was great, and the new textures were nice, but the levels just weren't clicking with me. I guess it was the constant facility setting; I prefer the hellish-type levels so I may be a bit biased. A good effort though. 3/5. - KS

After the excellent quake inspired darkening, with it's dark brown look comes a more collorfull quake 2 inspired darkening, with it's great techbases. There is even more detail in architecture here, and the maps are bigger and tougher than in the original, which is to my taste indeed. Obviously, a lot of effort has gone into this. Highly recommended.

One of those WADs I wish was a full 32 level replacement.

I would have liked some faster paced levels instead of being forced to creep around all the time. But 5 stars for the great work. - Starburst.

i liked the original Darkening better, shorter maps there, longer maps here. but this one still fits well for what it's worth. the new textures make it feel like Doom in another dimension. the crate platforming section in MAP12 and some other map are downright terrible though.

Better than The Darkening 1, Not better than Alien vendetta but still 5/5 -impClaw

As in its' predecessor "The Darkening", the maps are all perfectly balansed and highly coherent. This time around, though, the detail is extreme, the playflow is so enjoyable you just can't stop playing , and there's atmosphere like nowhere else. A must have. --5/5

Very good level design. But gameplay is awful, because you have to hit the monsters by 90% (epeacially level 4) or more, or you fucked up. Very hard to find secrets, in there are sometimes only poor things. Rating only for level 1-4, I played only this levels so far. May be another rating for the rest.

If only there was a Darkening 3. 5/5

Quake 2 for Doom. Incredible gameplay, stunning architecture and detail, and everything you could want. If you haven't played this yet you have mental issues and need brain surgery. 5+/5

Awesome I liked it even better than original darkening as the levels are more complex, detailed and challenging (not tough difficulty though, but I like easy levels), plus I'm an original sucker for quakeish levels, so it's right up my alley. Gameplay flows just right too, so don't miss it! 5/5 -TeH NeXuS

That is absolutly fabulous. I had fun running through UAC, now i've had even more fun running through Y! Masterpeice.

Interesting levels but the complexity of them is a little much. Getting lost is pretty common.

Good design overall, but I didn't like the gameplay much. Maps 5 and 12 played terribly, and the ending fight is horrible (unfair and boring). Monotonous texture use in places, unintuitive secrets (a pass-through shaft in map 9, c'mon...), the authors expecting players to read their minds, health shortage, but many hitscans, cyberdemons at the end, etc. all bring this down very much. Easy to see how the authors egos got in the way. Maps 3 and 4 were great though. I vastly prefered D1.

This is the legendary megawad the best ever wad you can find here!!!

It's like a Quake techbase in Doom. Levels are hard, well-balanced and pretty quake-design. Who say terrible music? music is brillant. 5/5

engrossing gameplay! Gr8 work =D

One of best level design I ever saw. Nice textures and whatever. Flawless except some music. Tend to get long in COOP. dunno why. still 5/5

The levels were kinda cool, but the music sucked ass. The DM levels were kinda fun too.

Shame it was released when it was released. Would put Duke, bah, would put Quake 1 and 2 to shame. Excellent. - 5/5

I love it. I like the gameplay and the difficutly is well balanced, textures are really well made. But what I like the most is nice and complex design, which is not confusing (at least for me). 5/5 - Damned

This can't be compared to the first episode. Architecture is great, but is also a slaver of the gameplay which sucks. 2/5

This is a superb set of levels that strongly resemble one of the Quake II mission packs. The textures and design are lovely, and the gameplay is finely balanced; it's often great fun to just run through the levels, stirring up the monsters, and wading into the ensuing carnage. It's especially impressive because it's apparently Doom2.exe compatible; as one of the reviewers above says, if this had come out in 1996 it would have blown people's socks off.