Favillesco - Episode 1: Genuflected on Io V1.2

The keyword to summarize this E1 WAD would be 'consistent'.  All the maps, save for M8, are identical in terms of aesthetics, size, and progression - and each took for me, who plays perhaps slower than average because i tend to explore (and managed to get generally 80% of the secrets), somewhere over 30min to complete.  This isn't to say they are repetitive, as the same concepts are used in different ways.

 

The levels were more complex than original E1, but with the help of automap i never got lost, and i was never left wandering around not knowing what to do.  It really is always a matter of getting the keys in order and progressing linearly, except for the fact that there is some necessary exploration as the layout of the maps does not, thankfully, follow that order.

Difficulty is somewhat above Doom.  i died only once, on M1, because it is quite a long time before one gets a shotgun on HMP (unless you find the secret), and simply ran out of ammo in a critical place as i tried to pistol myself through Imps.  On next attempt i made sure to use fists more..  At least on continuous play, the next levels didn't present this problem.

There are quite a few nods to the original levels, and the secrets are all in classic John Romero -style - which i liked a lot here.

 

There are few factors why i can't give this full five stars.  There's sometimes an overuse of darkness and flashing lights, which is fine sometimes, but when overused, as in my opinion here, it just isn't any fun.  That said, the maps are very atmospheric and frightening

Also, i did not like M8 at all.  The idea is not bad, but there is for quite some time pitch darkness, and then a horde of Spectres is released in it, and only luck helped me survive - still i have no idea how it should have been handled.  It seemed not only mean, but an exercise in outdoing the old Marquis in sadism just because one could.

 

Still, i found this set extremely enjoyable, and played it through in one day (HMP and continuous).  My favourite map was definitely the secret level M9, which in style is not different from the others at all, but to my liking had the best layout.  By way of comparison i could say that whilst i did enjoy DTWID as one of the first PWADs i played, this is much better (i haven't played enough of E1 replacements to say much more than that.)

To me, this is yet other E1 style full-episode, it's plays good, not too bad, just like the original E1 but getting lost so easily. And unless you're doing Pistol-start or your ammo will be TOO MUCH, well, it's not author's fault as id did the same shit on the original E1 too, but on 2013 it may just a little awkward.

 

Most of levels just plays like typical E1 levels, nothing too special but for those who like the E1 should like this too, unless "getting lost/multi-ways" is not something you like...for me, I just do "sv_fastweapons 1" after E1M9 beaten, shame on me, I know, but that's why E1 style just too easily to fall into a boring monsters-killing-fest if nothing so special, and until E1M8, I didn't see any of them so special...maybe some secrets...:\

 

Overall, I would say it's fine E1 episode replacement, for those who love this kind of levels.

nice architecture and gameplay

If you played Monti's previous "Eviltech" for Doom 2, this is a considerable step forwards. Maps are less complex and monster density makes a lot more sense. The style is the same: Vanilla textures, occasional backtracking, sort of predictable monster placement and levels that can take you 30min. or more. I like the high amount of secrets you can find here. Also ep.1 is my favorite and Monti imitates it well. May not be everybody's cup of tea, but it's definitely mine.

mediocre but not bad. monti seems to have a very uniform style in his maps, which might be a turnoff.

FOA: after 2 decades of DooM, the biggest problem with (E1) clones is that they are just more of the same, and at the end get totally boring due to the lack of new variations. Having said that, basically solid work, but: imho way too dark, way too easy @ UV (and predictable!), too much ammo, too many & too obvious secrets, too repetitive gameplay. And a zillion of very irritating texture misalignments. If you like to play E1 over and over again: maybe 4*, else skip it after E1M1. 3* for the effort.

Pretty good E1-style maps, in both visuals and gameplay. There's one distinct flaw: Nicolas Monti tends to reuse the same ideas in multiple levels, and then they get repetitive and not distinct enough from each other. 4/5

Fantastic stuff. Everything a good traditional wad should be. More like this please.

It's ok, the maps are generally a bit larger than the Romero counterparts with a similar number of memorable locations, this tends to lead to a lot of stringy corridors which are not conductive to good gameplay. Given the difficulty is at or even below that of KDITD, then it could get a tad boring towards the end. The secrets are well thought out and fun to find though. Middle of the road this one.

Broken link. Change the last digit of the zip to a 2. Awesome episode, a must pay for classic KDiTD fans.

Absolut average. 3 star.

Really nice work, it imitates the E1 style perfectly. Maps were long sometimes, but enjoyable. I'll be waiting for the next episodes.

Man, the WAD is great but E1M8 could pull it all by itself, the traps are pure evil 4/5.

super duper solid E1 style episode. variety is an issue for sure, but each map taken separately (or together, depending on one's tolerance for tech) is extremely well designed. plenty of exploration, purposeful and eye-catching room shaping and architecture, well researched emulation of E1 style texture and flat usage.. it's got it all! totally recommended. 4 beards

A fine example of old school levels. Thoroughly enjoyed it. 4/5

This was a really fun E1 styled mapset. Fairly non-linear with good flow and gameplay.

Very nice work. We're saturated with over-scripted wads and it's nice to play a well built classic wad.

Brown techbases. Pass if you're not wearing the googles.

It's your average E1 style episode replacement. It's nothing really new or unique. This style has been done to death. However, the maps are competently designed and they are playable. 3/5

Don't be so hard on this one. It just nostalgic. If you want a ton of effects this isn't the episode you are looking for... it's just classic fun, yet well made. 4/5

I enjoyed this. The homages did not add a lot but they were sometimes used to add new angles to familiar territory so that's OK with me. Most the levels were fun to play if you're a KDITD fan (as most Doomers are).

It's not overtly challenging or doing anything new, but what it does is to feel good, and nostalgic, whilst not being so heavy on homage as to render itself worthless. But you know, I kinda liked it.

Quit after 3rd map. This WAD looks like something that could be put together by a map generator program, as everything looks random, and at the same time similar. It's just extremely boring.