I will have to announce first off that I had a difficult time reviewing this map with a neutral attitude. Having been Dooming for a long time, I was also one of many who played on the ill-fated DWANGO service. I spent countless hours on the Long Beach server getting fragged by the regulars, and playing a special set of maps that were designated "LBDWANGO." Imagine my delight when I fired up the first few maps in Brad Carney's Doomserv Deathmatch 1; all the memories immediately came flooding back, and from then on it was just difficult to look at the maps the way a reviewer should.File name: dmsrv1.wad Author: Brad "Carnevil" Carney Map Size: Varies between very small and large Map Summary: "This five level deathmatch set...contains a highly diverse set of levels, making this a wad bound to please just about everyone. From well-designed levels to arenas made for brainless fragfests, this wad has it all." (Excerpted from dmsrv1.txt)
Having said that, I've tried my best to distance myself from the memories, and now present to you a review that I hope reflects the real spirit of these levels.
Doomserv Deathmatch 1 is a level pack that was designed with the following in mind: to pattern itself after DWANGO's old legacy of naming deathmatch series after its home server, and emulating its old design styles. The overall results are very good, and the value of this level series is enhanced by the diversity of the maps contained inside. Five seems to be a magic number here, which gives players enough maps to choose from without being caught up in its own grandeur.
Map 1 sports clean design
and good looks.
Of all the levels in this series, both map 1 and map 3 are simply outstanding. Map 1 is a very straightforward map, and every weapon is available for the taking. Getting the BFG is complicated (as it should be), and requires the use of a radsuit to reach safely. Two very cool windtunnels are also used in this map, which adds an element of speed and exhiliration to an already exciting deathmatch experience. There is also a megasphere that sits just out of reach outside, mocking players to take it. Getting it isn't difficult at all, and there aren't any ridiculous tricks required to do so. (HINT: Zdoom uses Z height checking, while original Doom didn't...)
Watch out, or you'll end
up crispy fried...
Map 3 is a little more of a departure, in that it is a largish installation replete with deadly lava. It's a little easy to fall in the drink, and there's usually no way out, so players must remember to step lightly. The atmosphere is good, and is enhanced by the nice lighting. The lava pools also cast ominous glows which gives a solid feel to the map. Even if it is large, the pace seems pretty good with just 3 players. If you really want the most out of this map, play with about 5-6 people! The game just becomes totally hilarious, with guys sinking in lava quickly from sheer panic :) There is also a wind tunnel in this map that acts very bizarre; you can get stuck in the middle of it, and conveniently there is a switch that pushes you onward with a little apology. A little strange, but it seems that Zdoom is at fault in this one.
Sin is in so let it begin.
The other three maps are also pretty good, but I didn't have as much fun as I did as with the previous 2 mentioned. Map 2 is your basic arena fragfest, with power-ups and weapons galore. Fortunately the plasma gun is difficult to reach, which would otherwise ruin such an enclosed map. Map 5 is interesting, in that a massive conveyer belt traverses the whole level. Weapons are simple to pick up, and the powerful stuff is placed high and is tough to get to. Playing in it though is a very disorienting experience, and connectivity is limited by the fact that players are forced to follow the direction of the belt. It moves so quickly that trying to go the opposite direction will just leave you in one spot, which may be frustrating to some people. The last map in the series is a modified version of the author's earlier deathmatch effort named "Sin." This map is humongous; it flows well with 5 people, but anything less is a slower placed game. Weapons placement is good, and the texture choice lends much to its sprawling base theme.
In closing, Doomserv Deathmatch 1 is a complete and varied game experience that can satisfy almost every playing style. Using clean design philosophies and smart weapon placement, this series delivers enough kick to rival a shotgun blast.
Review by Razorback
The Doom DM Resource Recommends:Get Doomserv Deathmatch 1 from Carnevil's homepage.2-4 players for maps 1-4; 5 or more players for map 5 Maps 1, 2, and 3 for internet play, map 5 over LAN Low ping times for map 3