TeamTNT's Return From Oblivion: Released

[ReX]

TeamTNT's latest project Return From Oblivion: DooM Eternal IV is complete and has been released. Look for it to appear in /newstuff soon.

This is a ZDooM project. All maps are: (i) medieval-themed, and generally very large compared to typical DooM maps; (ii) non-linear and feature multiple paths; (iii) feature castle and fortress architecture, fights on an epic scale, and magnificent vistas. This is a 7-map demo. TeamTNT intends to create a full megawad next.

[Xaser]

Great Scott... TeamTNT and... a RELEASE? Zowie! I've seen screenshots... I'll have to check this out!

[MasterOFDeath]

Great Scott... TeamTNT and... a RELEASE? Zowie! I've seen screenshots... I'll have to check this out!

Seconded! This seems to be the week of awesome unexpected things for me.

[ReX]

One small note of correction. The text file says:

Other game styles : (co-op starts only in Maps 11-13, but not tested)

Actually there are co-op starts in Map27 as well, and that map has been tested for co-op.

This correction will be made in the text file soon.

[EDIT: Another inadvertent omission from the text file - jumping has been expressly diabled in Map13.]

[bagheadspidey]

Jumping?

[CaptainToenail]

Hmm, I was hoping for some Skulltag coop goodness

[Enjay]

It's not on all the servers yet but here are a couple of the first mirrors

ftp://ftp.chg.ru/pub/games/idgames/news ... 4_rfo1.zip

ftp://ftp.mancubus.net/pub/idgames/news ... 4_rfo1.zip

[ReX]

Also the following:

Germany
Florida

[Phucket]

Great Scott... TeamTNT and... a RELEASE?

That's what Team TNT does.
Team TNT.... Keeping it going...

[MasterOFDeath]

Hehe, I'm playing this a little and so far I'm enjoying it. I'm kind of stuck on Daemon's Sancturary though. I have the shotty, supershotty, chaingun, and chainsaw. I just activated the rune and killed the spider mastermind but can't seem to figure out where to go next. >_<

[bagheadspidey]

Jumping?

Probably not, feels like I'm cheating. Pretty fun so far, still getting my ass kicked in the first level on UV.

[Enjay]

Jumping is explicitly prevented on one map (map13 IIRC) so it's OK on all other maps.

[Xaser]

I just finished blasting my way through Schloss Adler. The wad's pretty good so far, though I do miss not having music. Probably just a me-thing, but those re-used ambient sounds (weirdo cricket chirps and that Hexen-y stuff) get on my nerves a bit. 'Tis why Herian2 drove me up the wall eventually (that and loss of direction).

Otherwise the maps play fine! Some areas feel a little "empty", monster-wise, but it fits for some reason.

One thing though: Whatever happened to the Abstract Pain? The original idea was sooo cool, but now...

BUG REPORT: The Bat Familiar is all sorts of screwed... it transforms into a floating Imp Warlord while attacking for some reason... o_O

CURRENT DISCLAIMER: I like so far. Will continue soon!

[Phobus]

Well, form what I've seen it's like Eternal Doom 3, just with ZDoom and slightly let down with all the monster resource wad monsters (I sort of liked it when it was old school)... feels a bit more like HeXen now. I am enjoying it though. For my shooting tastes it's fine, because it's just like Eternal Doom was, basically, with a bit more monster intensity in one or two places... although I am only on ReX's bit (done most of the crypt and I'm on Schloss Adler now)

[Enjay]

BUG REPORT: The Bat Familiar is all sorts of screwed... it transforms into a floating Imp Warlord while attacking for some reason... o_O

I knew there was something screwy about it. I saw those things flying around and I thought it looked a bit odd, but it's a monster from the resource that I haven't used at all and have rarely come across in other WADs so I thought maybe it was doing what it was supposed to.

One thing I have to say is the way outdoor areas look in these maps is stunning. I remember being impressed with Doom "back in the day" with those little outdoor areas with their parallax skies "revolutionising" FPSs (as far as I was concerned). They just looked so cool. But, as a mapper, I'm well used to the limitations and how difficult getting outdoor areas to look right (and, in particular, as if they are part of an unlimited world) can be. I think these maps take it to a new level. They all have absolutely superb outdoor areas. In many areas of all the maps there are believable 3D structures sticking up into the sky and it often isn't easy to tell where the ceiling height of the area is actually set. MAP27 is an absolutely jaw-dropping example of outdoor mapping IMO. Almost the entire thing is set in a believable outdoor environment. OK, it's a Doom level and obviously it looks like one but it almost feels like a real place.

Played with GZdoom, the appearance of the maps is almost bordering on the quality and feel of an engine a generation or two on from Doom, yet with all the advantages of (Z)Doom and (Z)Doom levels. I know that won't please everyone, but I think it's a real testament to the skill of the mappers concerned.