The WADs reviewed here can be found easily on the Internet or, in some cases, online services such as America Online (Keyword: PC Games), CompuServe (Go: MacFun), and eWorld (Goto: Inside Games).
If you click on the screenshot before each WAD review, you will see an Internet address in URL format for downloading it.
Check the MacDoom Review home page at http://www.voicenet.com/~reeltime/mdr.html for convenient links, when they're available.
In the instance of some large patch WADs that (at this writing) require the use of SoftWindows or a PC to perform the conversion, the URL given may not be permanent. WADs that are pre-patched for convenient use with MacDoom are generally very large, and some Webmasters of MacDoom sites have limited space to store the files and move them offline to make room for new conversions.
Ratings:
 
Doom I (requires Ultimate Doom)
Cardiac
 
<-- Click on pictures
 
Patching: None
Cardiac starts you out in the center of a dark room, surrounded by unknown dangers. One shot from your trusty handgun, and the game is afoot.
Once you escape the immediate dangers around you, you'll find new ones that are much more treacherous to replace them. Look for ambushes, and try to stay alive in the room with four Cyberdemons (yes, it can be done). This is an intricate WAD full of twisting tunnels that lead to new dangers -- and pleasures.
Enjoy, just watch your blood pressure. You wouldn't want to blow a gasket, would you?
–Dave Kramer
reeltime@voicenet.com
Doom II
Alternate Doom II (ALTD2)
 
<-- Click on pictures
 
Patching: None
Every once and a while, a WAD comes along that really shocks you. It does something that you've never seen before, something startling, and you wonder why other WADs don't do the same thing. Well, ALTD2 is one of those WADs. It has not one, but several items that are -- to the best of my knowledge -- both new and exciting.
But before we get into that, let me just say that the maps in this 11-level WAD are fantastic. Like other high-quality multi-level WADS, including Raven, Purgatory, and ASDoom, ALTD2's levels are a joy to behold. They vary quite a bit in style, such that no two are alike, but are all interesting and fun to explore. There are a huge variety of types of rooms, with textures expertly applied to create a variety of moods. The monsters are chosen well, and the fighting is as good as Doom gets (which is pretty damn good). As with the WADs listed above, ALTD2 is just as good as the original id levels.
ALTD2 also has extraordinary puzzles, more so than any other WAD I've played. You really have to use your brain to find the secrets, and that means looking at every wall, trying the action key a million times, firing your shotgun at anything suspicious, and scrutinizing the map thoroughly. Most of the secrets require a good deal of time to find, which may bother those players who crave constant fighting. On the positive note, few of the secrets are hidden behind wall panels that have the same texture as the rest of the wall. However, on at least half of the levels I had to give up and move on to the next level without getting all of the secrets. Then again, on some levels there were places that were unreachable, yet I had all of the secrets when I exited. Makes me think the author not only likes good puzzles but also likes to tease the puzzle-solvers out there.
Now on to the special characteristics that set ALTD2 apart from its bretheren. If you want to be surprised when playing the WAD, skip the rest of this review. The first noticeable thing that is different is the use of fake walls -- panels that look solid but let you pass through anyway. This actually is not all that new, but in ALTD2 the fake panels are also attached to elevators. Another novelty is the use of infinitely steep stairs. So steep that you think they're normal walls, unless you peer in close and see one step only millimeters deep. Walk into the wall and PRESTO, you're on top of it! One of the larger rooms has one of these staircases along an entire wall; one moment you're running for your life from Cacodemons and a Pain Elemental, the next moment you're above them, near the ceiling, wondering how you got there. It's surprising and fun.
Another new thing is the use of transparent floors. Don't be afraid of that pit, you can walk on it! This only happens on one of the levels, but it's quite disorienting. One of the pits actually has an elevator in it -- an invisible elevator -- and the only way to get to the tunnels leading away from the bottom of the pit is to lower yourself down and run in.
Well, I've ruined the surprises for you. But I think there are more. Just be suspicious of everything.
–Rob Berkowitz
rberker@slip.net
Doom Gold/
Aliens Sounds
 
 
Patching: None
Most of the reviews in MDR feature new levels for Doom constructed to provide the player a completely new environment in which to frag. This month, I thought I might let readers know about some very special WADs which have NO NEW MAP FILES. These "special" patch WADs are designed to change only the sound effects (and, in some cases, a few other items).
My enjoyment of Doom II is always enhanced by the addition of new sounds. And, although a few famous WADs have great new sound effects integrated with new levels, textures, and monsters (most notably MAKDOOM3 and INVASION), many do not feature these more advanced items. For this reason, I’d like to introduce the reader to two notable WADs that have only one basic operation -- to replace most of the stock Doom sound effects with other great sounds, or adding specific remarks which some of the monsters make upon being shot once or twice,
First: "Aliens Sound WAD." This file, about 1100K when unpacked, contains many sound effects and phrases lifted right from the popular sci-fi movie "Aliens." For example, if you are searching out some new areas infested with some of the "zombie-like" soldiers, the phrase "Check those corners”" is heard. Also, "Game over, man" is heard if you happen to "buy the farm." I also enjoy hearing that "beeper"-like proximity movement detector from the movie, heard whenever you’re tracking some baddies. About ten other phrases are used from the movie, as well as the heavy breathing from the "alien" creature itself. This all adds to the suspense level -- at least for me.
Doom Gold: This file is a newer one, the product of a group of authors calling themselves "Enigma 13." It actually contains two WADs. The first, DGLD15.WAD, contains a variety of new sounds from a great many sources. It also includes a few next textures. I especially like the replacement chaingun sound. The greatest changes, however, come from the second file: DGLD15-B.WAD. This file is really great fun to use. Finally, someone thought about those of us who can’t stand those dimly lit places. So, the "B" after the "15" in the filename stands for -- yeah, you guessed it: BRIGHT. So now, guy and gals, throw away those stupid nightvision glasses which last for only a moment. You can use DGLD15-B.WAD with all of your WAD files, if you like. [Might be a good idea if you play on a PowerBook with passive-matrix screen, which is generally a bit dark anyway.-Ed.].
The authors point out that this advantage might be considered "cheating," to which I reply: "Who cares." Most of the WADS I play are so darn difficult, at least I can see where I’m getting shot if I’m getting plastered.
–Ken Mahood
Ken1616@aol.com
Hell Night
 
 
Patching: None
Before you, in an otherwise empty courtyard, stands a lone Cyberdemon. The good news? He's trapped, immobile, between a large number of toxic waste barrels. The bad news? There's no place to go until you blast those barrels, releasing him to take aim at you with his deadly rockets.
Once you set off the explosion that frees the Cyberdemon, you let loose a chain of events that will return you, over and over again, to this courtyard in the midst of Hell Night. Each time you return, it will be more hellish than when you left it last.
Along the way, you will meet new and interesting challenges, including one of the longest spiral corridors (full of increasingly challenging foes at every turn) in WAD history.
Use that ammo sparingly, or you might not have enough left to escape.
–Dave Kramer
reeltime@voicenet.com
Hoover
 
 
Patching: None
This is by far one of the coolest single-level WADs that I have ever played. You find yourself on a ridge near a large dam, overlooking a beautiful river.
Along the way, there are narrow walkways to traverse, Imps that send fireballs into your back from the farthest reaches of the canyons. (Later, when you find a rocket launcher, you will find it is useless at such great distances. Your only defense is to avoid standing in one place for too long.)
Half the fun of Hoover is finding your way along the narrow paths and gaining access to the locked off areas -- and eventually the dam itself -- without getting creamed by the hordes of demons, monsters, and soldiers who protect it with their lives.
It is possible to solve Hoover without cheating. Just save early and often.
–Dave Kramer
reeltime@voicenet.com
Torment
 
 
Patching: None
The first thing that you notice about Torment is that you're not on Earth anymore. For one thing, the sounds have a new resonance that is other-worldly, to say the least. For another, the landscape is pure Mars.
Homesick for Ultimate Doom? No more. Welcome back, soldier. And they've been busy rebuilding the destruction you left behind and preparing for your return. The thrill of this level is in taking in all of the new architecture, when you're not busy fighting off the scourge of hell. They don't call this Torment for nothing!
A brilliant six-level replacement, Torment with have you crying in your MREs for Earth food. Too bad you're never gonna get it!
Or will you?
–Dave Kramer
reeltime@voicenet.com
 
Have a favorite PC WAD you want to see reviewed in MDR? Why don't you write it up and send it in? Tell us if it's for Doom I or Doom II, whether it requires any special patching, where to find it, and include a distinctive screenshot, if possible. Send articles , comments and questions to reeltime@voicenet.com.
