Review: Lord of the Cyberdemons

Screenshots

George Fiffy, aka King Reol might just be the most controversial Doom author in history. Or at least, the most flamed. Lord of the Cyberdemons (LOC) continues the controversy quite well.

Before beginning the level you should load up the .bat file which is well presented. There is even a text file explaining why there is one... (LOC) continues of where FUCT left off - Extreme Detail(tm) is back. Put simply this means one thing, slowdown. People still using 486s should definitely steer clear of this level. A P2-350 is reccomended if you wish to run hi-res with a decent speed. On my P-166 I had a decent frame rate in 320 x 200. A toned down version for low end users without arches and slopes should also have been released!?

The start of the level could use improvement. Straight away you have to fight a large number of imps and pistol guys... with only a pistol. The pistol should always be a last resort weapon. Without a powerful weapon it takes some time just to clear the first room. Walk into the courtyard and if you're not running straight through you'll be killed by two cyberdemons. It's certainly frustrating to work your way through so many monsters with such poor weapons and then to be killed by two unexpected cyberdemons. You'll have to start all over...

The idea is that you should use a crusher to kill the two Cyberdemons. And it can take quite some time to lure them in. If you plan on finishing the level you should, and the sound of a cyberdemon being squished is a good one. There are two other cyberdemons you will have to contend with later on. One of them is particularly annoying to kill as it's a cat and mouse type situation, and you can't see much either.

Basically the level is composed entirely of brown textures. And for a level as big as this, you really do get sick of their repetitive use. You couldn't say there were any misalignment problems, but it was a little weird to see computer lights mixed in with brick walls. There are a few nicely done areas, such as the courtyard and also a church/library area, but there are a few corridors with no detail at all.

It's a little frustrating that there are 900 sectors, but they're concentrated into such small areas. If only all 900 were spread evenly through the entire level... What is spread through though are monsters. Three hundred and thirty-nine of the bastards on Ultra Violence. If you don't save your game constantly you will definitely have a tough time completing this level.

The level's design and monster placement tends to demand a slow and methodological approach to completing the level, which is the exact opposite reason that I still play Doom, making the level a little boring for me. LOC may or may not be for you, but you won't know until you try it...

Overall: 7/10

Reviewed by Chief