-----> Best Levels List <-----
Myles Williams
list is posted roughly the 1st and 15th of every month to
rec.games.computer.doom.playing. An up-to-date version of this list
is available on the World Wide Web at reference
http://funnelweb.utcc.utk.edu/~williams/bestwads.html.
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The All-Time Best Doom Levels
Introduction
Do you want to get your hands on those fabulous Doom add-on
levels? Do you need to know which of the 500+ levels you should get?
Then this list is for you! It describes all levels, past and present,
that were most popular among the fine people of the Doom newsgroups.
Each level is presented with pertinent information about how to find
it and what to expect when you play.
Rules of the list
A level can enter this list in one of three ways:
1. At the initial release, it receives acclaim on
alt.games.doom lasting at least one week.
2. It is frequently mentioned on alt.games.doom at
least a month after the release date.
3. It is nominated and subsequently voted into the
list.
How to get these levels
All levels in this list are available by anonymous ftp to the
official Doom archive, ftp.cdrom.com, in the directory /pub/doom. You
can also use the mirror site ftp.orst.edu, in the root directory (the
directory in which you start.) All pathnames for levels in the list
are with reference to the doom directory on whichever site you use.
Basic instructions for using add-on levels are in the file
/pub/doom/wads/HOW_TO_USE_WADS. Some over-efficient mirror sites
have compressed this file, giving it a .Z extension. If you find
this on a mirror site, try another one and come back later.
Styles of Doom levels
Although each level is an original creation, there are some
common styles which affect the architecture and graphics used. Seven
of these styles are described below.
Military
Similar to the original episode 1. Brown plaster and
metal panels dominate the wall textures. There are many
outdoor areas and windows.
Tech Lab
Lots of grey. The levels resemble a space station, with
computers everywhere. The architecture tends to be along
orthogonal lines.
Temple
The textures are natural materials, such as wood, rock, and
stone. The architecture is like a medieval building.
Inferno
Similar to the original episode 3. Iron, stone, rock, and
skin are the primary textures, and red is the dominant
color. Lava is everywhere.
Tech Temple
Essentially a blend of Tech Lab, Temple, and Inferno. The
overall appearance is that of a research facility that has
been redecorated by demons. Episode 2 is in this style.
Urban
Like the city levels of Doom II. There are no add-ons in
this style yet.
Subterranean
Any structure that has the appearance of a natural cavern
or man-made tunnell. Caverns are characterized by enormous rooms.
Signs of technology and openings to the outside are rare. Of
course, rock is the dominant texture.
Aliens
Like the movie. Levels use graphics from Justin Fishers's
Alien-TC package
Imitative
A catch-all category for any level that uses new graphics
or architecture to imitate a real place.
2-D or 3-D
An important characteristic of any level is how well it uses
space. The original Doom I levels tended to be two-dimensional, with
little height variation and few very high places. In version 1.666 of
the Doom engine, the bug that discouraged those features has been
fixed, so that authors may design more three-dimensional levels. Such
levels require you to think about height as well as position to solve
them. Running jumps between structures are common.
THE LEVELS
(Finally!)
Doom 1 Levels
* Alien: Total Conversion
+ Files:
o NEWSTUFF/alientc1.zip (893k)
o NEWSTUFF/alientc2.zip (893k)
o NEWSTUFF/alientc3.zip
+ Style: aliens : 2-D
+ Description: It uses the Doom engine, but it is NOT
Doom! The package contains necessary graphics, sounds, and
monster modifications. The eleven levels included in this
package duplicate scenarios from the movie "Aliens."
* Galaxia
+ Files: wads/g-i/galaxia.zip (332k)
+ Style: military / subterranean : 2-D
+ Description: A large, excellently designed level base in which you
are trying to escape an underground base on an alien planet.
This level is perfect in every way EXCEPT that the music doesn't
work with Doom v1.666 or later.
* Ledges series
+ Files:
(Original deathmatch rules)
o wads/deathmatch/ledges.zip (16k)
o wads/deathmatch/ledges1.zip (15k)
o wads/deathmatch/ledges2.zip (15k)
(Alternate deathmatch rules)
o wads/deathmatch/ledgesi.zip (15k)
o wads/deathmatch/ledges2i.zip (14k)
o wads/deathmatch/ledges3i.zip (15k)
o wads/deathmatch/ledges4i.zip (16k)
+ Style: military : 3-D
+ Description: The most popular deathmatch specific
levels, probably because of their 3-D architecture and
excellent equipment placement. Levels with an 'i' at the
end of the filename are for Deathmatch 2.0, or altdeath.
* Outpost 21
+ Files: wads/m-o/opost21.zip (60k)
+ Style: military / subterranean : 2-D
+ Description: A military research installation has been
taken over by demons. This level is very dark and spooky.
When it was released, many Doom players judged it the first
id-quality add-on level.
* Return to Phobos
+ Files: wads/p-r/return01.zip (532k)
+ Style: military : 2-D
+ Description: Eight well-done levels in the Episode 1
style. Level 1 is very tricky, but it can be finished
without cheating.
* Deimos Subway
+ Files: wads/s-u/subway21.zip (157k)
+ Style: imitative / tech temple : 2-D
+ Description: A convincing replica of the Washington DC
subway, with three stations. When you get away from the
stations, the author's more original designs take over.
* The Unholy Trinity
+ Files: wads/s-u/trinity2.zip (152k)
+ Style: imitative : 2-D
+ Description: Demons have taken over Trinity College in
England! The author has used scanned textures to reproduce
Christopher Wren's architecture in detail. You must turn off
music in Doom v1.666 or later.
* Doomsday of the UAC
+ Files: wads/s-u/uac_dead.zip.1.0 (152k)
+ Style: tech lab / subterranean : 2-D
+ Description: A large scientific installation run by
UAC, the research outfit of Doom I, has been invaded. You
must find the demons' head honcho and kill him before you
can leave. There is an interesting design trick in this
level.
Doom II Levels
(None yet!)
END OF LIST