What is your favorite DOOM 1 WAD and why?

I don't think this question has been posed yet. Not recently anyway.

Mine is currently Back to Basics because I loved the aesthetics in it.

I would agree with that. I wrote a raving review for B2B which is waiting to show up in the /nC.

Doomworld's 10years special points out some high quality episode replacements, mostly from the earliest years of pwad making. I'm pretty sure that there are also good megawads (replacing 3 or 4 episodes) but I can't find any right now. I also can't think of a single project for Ultimate Doom that uses modern port features - newschool projects tend to use the Doom 2 iwad.

Creaphis said:

I also can't think of a single project for Ultimate Doom that uses modern port features - newschool projects tend to use the Doom 2 iwad.

KDiZD? :P

Creaphis said:

I also can't think of a single project for Ultimate Doom that uses modern port features

P:AR

Don't forget 007LTSD. Also one of my Doom 1 favorites.

Well, then I'm sorry for forgetting the obvious.

Hm... KdiZD versus B2B? Tough call.

Well, they both had completely different goals, ran on engines that are polar opposites, and completely different bases (e1 modifications and additions vs. a completely original e2 episode), so I don't think B2B vs KDiZD is really a fair comparison...

definitely Dawn of the Dead. Best E1 replacement. ever. Here it is at /idgames I just loved it because of the Good E1 architecture. Good Gameplay.

Aliens TC is my favourit. Although, P:AR, Fava beans and Classic E2 are really good too.

P:AR is Lutz's masterpiece.

esselfortium said:

Well, they both had completely different goals, ran on engines that are polar opposites, and completely different bases (e1 modifications and additions vs. a completely original e2 episode), so I don't think B2B vs KDiZD is really a fair comparison...

Well, it definitely isn't fair to say that "this one is better" but it is still possible to have a personal favourite. And I'm not sure what mine is.

well, I'd say KDIZD, as one that uses a source port, and aliens for one that doesn't.

The first Classic Episode (the original one that replaces E2M1-E2M9) and CH Retro were brilliant peices of work.

Janitor said:

definitely Dawn of the Dead. Best E1 replacement. ever. Here it is at /idgames I just loved it because of the Good E1 architecture. Good Gameplay.

I tend to disagree with Dawn of the Dead as an E1 style episode. While the first few maps resemble E1, some of the later maps are quite hellish. All 8 levels in this episode are brilliant, no doubt about it.

I have a soft spot for the Serenity series - probably just me being nostalgic.

galaxia.wad, first wad I tried with new material in it years ago and it wasn't that bad in playing quality.

Crusades: Unholy War. The best work of Richard Wiles, and an inspirational masterpiece.

If only the original 3 episodes are allowed, then Phobos: Anomaly Reborn for architecture only, and CH Retro Episode for the overall "feel".