Derelict

Screenshots

Derelict is Phillippe's 'latest and last' doom level. Not such a bad level to go out with either.

Lost in a desert somewhere on a recently colonized planet, you're about to die from thurst. You stumble under the cruel sunlight. Suddenly, in a small depression, you find the entrance to a mining station. Most of the inhabitants seem to have left in a hurry. Some of them even seem to have gone mad with fear and shoot everything in sight. Visiting the derelict buildings you wonder what could possibly have frightened them. Actually after a few moments, you wish you never found out.

The most impressive aspect of the story is that it actually fits the level... Phillippe has done a great job recreating part of an alien planet, and the mining station on it. This level compares really well with something like Thomas Drugg's Tomb of Altheus, except that there is no tomb... but yeah.

There are lots of supposedly 'derelict' buildings to explore, but just how derelict they are will depend on what difficulty level you're on... On the outside the buildings are a little drab with mainly grey textures... but on the inside they're all very nicely done with all kinds of well thought out details, and accurate reproductions of prisons, computer rooms, and later on... the underground mining cavern which is the highlight of the level - or maybe it's that spiffy forklift.

Monster placement on the difficulty levels goes between the two extremes of 'near impossible' and 'is this -nomonsters?'. So I am sure there is a right one for you - try starting on Hurt Me Plenty. Weapons and ammo usually aren't a problem either - even the BFG is available and the rest aren't particularly well hidden. It's not so much that there are hundreds of monsters in the level, but they're usually the tough ones.

For an outdoor level the architecture is really quite well done. Nothing too detailed but definitely above average and pleasing to the eye. Some of the buildings and rooms reminded me of the game Blood, but there wasn't a tommy gun lying around unfortunately. Anyway, the lighting is also very good in both the out and in-door areas.

The only way to escape this mining facility is to clear out all the buildings, find the keys, then desecnd further into the mine and check for an exit there. Can you make it out alive?? Of course you can.

Rating 8.5/10

Reviewed by Chief