Going Down

Done with these settings:

- GLBoom+ 2.5.1.4. complevel 9.

- Hurt Me Plenty.

- Continuous combined with a pistol start mindset.

- Saves every 10 minutes or so.

A fantastic megawad full of action and surprises. I found the concept to be quite interesting, going down in an elevator that closes after you leave it and you'll have to find the key to reopen it, something you don't see in many (if any) wads, which makes it very original. Visually, it gets better throughout the wad, there's a variety of themes used to reflect a progression that flowed quite nice playing in continuous at least. Some maps feature lovely details like a science laboratory (kind of) in map 23, or a sort of bog in map 25.  

Maps are relatively short and small, mostly the same height variation. So the main concept in terms of gameplay is tightness, most of the encounters are delivered in claustrophobic situations that, for me personally are really hairy. I liked it anyway, every single type of monster is used to be an actual threat if you're not quick enough. I tell you, I got hit by hell knights more than ever. It also has some slaughter and slaughtery, crowd control for another term, a few of these are probably the least hard of the mapset since you're provided with a lot of resources to forgive several mistakes, such as invulnerability spheres, but equal fun. In some maps, you'll barely have time to rest, which means every linedef is a monster trap, pressing a switch will reveal teleport ambushes in many parts of the map, or pressing a switch and the whole maps transforms into hell madness, or hordes to fight on bumpy stairs. I managed myself quite well and almost never felt overwhelmed aside from a few maps where I had to repeat the traps several times because of teleporting randomness at random times (I see you map 17). I liked the reveal of the custom final boss, which is not particularly "original" per se, but at least it wasn't one of the regular big guys.

Secrets are all easy to find, and some of the maps feature non-secret ways of progression. There is only one secret I didn't understand the purpose, which is in map 14 IIRC, it's mandatory because it's just on the way, impossible to skip. Music is quite good, in fact I still remember the melodies and I usually forget about them right after playing a wad. 

My favourite maps are, a lot: 05, 08, 13, 32, 19, 21, 23, 25 (excellent Keen replacement hunt), 26, 28, 29 (the final boss). The other maps are good too. The only map I could not enjoy was 30, it starts so quiet and suddenly icon of sin wakes up and well, I don't like IoS maps, at least this one was short and you don't fight it, instead an endless row of enemies that teleport and get on your way, and telefrag you where your ammo is located, ugh. I would have preferred a silent closure, or more cells...

Regardless of the ending map, which seriously ruined my excitement, I recommend this mapset for anyone willing to fight their fear of confinement. My personal advice is to play it with pistol starts (or even in continuous, but follow the course of the map, don't break the gimmicks or abuse of your carryovers). I'll give this a 9/10.

One of my favorites megawads.  All the levels have a unique theme and combat style.  Highly recommended.