stones.zip

One of the first PWADs to have a non-linear design, which in execution is pretty neat. 3 stars for the level + 1 star for historical importance.

Nice challenging map on nightmare!. Rather short, however.

This is a very early level, the first proper map in the archive. It introduces the cliche of having a sort-of secret bit directly behind the player start. There's an inescapable slime pit. Fifty monsters, but the level is structured so that you exit after killing only sixteen of them. Half the level - the best half - is hidden, including a clever medieval archway. Texture alignment is duff, but there are good lighting effects. It's a surprisingly decent map.

The immediate area you start in is by far the worst looking part - Explore around, the appearance is actually alright for 1994 standards aside from the big HOMs. This is fun to play, dont hit the exit switch but instead find your way through the whole thing. Cool little map, very historic.

It's quite good even if there are some HOMs. Killing all the monsters isn't necessary to reach the exit. I give it 5/5 because it's the second level ever made for Doom. -Glassyman

This wad sure has got some stones for being the second level ever made and still be good for today's time, even.

From a time before texture alignment was invented. 5/5

Actually better than, say, Gamarra levels.

Absolutely amazing, considering its' very old age. --3/5

It's okay, considering that it's the second level ever made for Doom AFAIK. Historians should download this one.

The first proper Doom pwad is surprisingly kickass and even better than some of the maps made today. Really, would you expect the second level ever made to include complex secrets, an archway, and semi-realistic lighting in some spots? 3.5/5

Whoa! The first known proper custom doom wad turns out to be actually very playable, short yes, misaligned textures yes, but the rooms are not just basic boxes (surprise surprise) a fairly well made archway is in a secret area and even a crack on a floor where you can see lava leaking. The stepping stones in the last room looked and played good overall this has to get 4/5 because not only of the age of the wad or the history but because in my opinion it still remains relevant.

As far as levels are concerned, this is the true 1st. 5 stars - legendary

A nice map but not the author's best and certainly NOT the second-ever map from scratch. E2M1ED.WAD (id=36) is three days older, albeit primitive compared to STONES, and there were a handful of other WADs in between lost to history, at least one of them built with a hex editor like ORIGWAD and posted to alt.binaries.doom. Michael Kelsey went on to release a whole episode - Return to Phobos (id=690) - four months later, that is a truly legendary set. 4/5 - N_A

THe oldest properly built level ever (that "first wad" lacks many of the components of a Doom level). Actually, it doesn't suck. Much. 3/5 --Woolie

Old, but not too bad! I had fun with it!