Siebenbürgen

Screenshots

Siebenbürgen is Patrik Höglund's latest, and most definitely greatest, doom level. It's even kind of plot driven - the 'cave imps' are trying to invade the Siebenbürgen base. Why should they have all the fun?? So, it's a race to destroy the base before they can.

This level is similar in style to that of a Kurt Kesler KBoom level, except there are no Boom linedefs in use... Of course, you still need a source port to avoid those infamous visplane overflows that we all love so much.

Efficient texture use (mainly metal) and not too shabby lighting go far in creating a detailed base theme for the level. At times you'll venture outside and of course into the caves to find the yellow key, all which have very impressive architecture. Texture alignment was spot on, and there was not a dull or boring area in the level. My computer got quite sluggish at times which was frustrating.

There are about 8 times more monsters than in Patrik's Marduk so it's more in line with what we'd expect from a Doom level. Not to say there is no creativity in the placement - try stopping an army of cave imps, and watch for the Cybers.

Patrik is a generous guy really, you'll pick up all of Doom's much loved weapons - and with 396 monsters on Ultra Violence make good use of them. There always seems to be enough ammo and health so you can usually be pretty liberal with your use of it.

There are some neat traps in the level designed to make you 'wet your pants', but nothing too scary or impossible. You may find yourself trapped in a room, or an archy may appear in front of you but it's nothing that you haven't faced before.

You will have to go back and forth through the base a bit, but there aren't really any puzzles to solve. That's a good thing though :-)

Siebenbürgen is your classic contemporary Doom level. But where the hell are the source port features?? I can't think of any reasons not to use at least Boom linedefs. Either way, if you're unfamiliar with Patrik's work, now is the time to catch up.

Rating 9.5/10

Reviewed by Chief