UnknDoomer's corner of ultra silence - Short WAD Reviews / Longplays / Hints

[UnknDoomer]

230. Ammo For The Brave (2025).

https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/1 ... the-brave/

An 8-level wad for Doom II, which is focusing on intense, fast-paced combat. It features a decent soundtrack and interestingly designed, mostly compact, levels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX_viId ... Q9DbDuLxD2 (playlist)

Settings and features:

* GzDoom 4.14.1, UV difficulty.
* A full playthrough will take approximately 2 hours.

[UnknDoomer]

45. SPACEGROOVE (2025).

https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/1 ... r-doom-ii/

A single-player map for Doom II, which is stick to exploring a detailed space station filled with five hundred (and a bit on top) demons. Completing the level doesn't require going around every corner, so it can be either a quick or a relatively lengthy playthrough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7OSXlEZPVo (video)

Settings and features:

* GzDoom 4.14.1, UV difficulty.
* A full playthrough will take approximately 30 minutes.

[Enjay]

Thank you for this ongoing series. I know that the thread doesn't receive much in the way of comments (and I'm as guilty as anyone) but I find it a really useful resource. It highlights maps that I might have missed and gives me a nice idea of whether a specific map or project is one that I am likely to enjoy playing. I'm not a big fan of watching long videos of people playing, but a quick skip through to catch some highlights is useful to me and even the one-line descriptions that you post often give me enough of a taste for the map/project.

[UnknDoomer]

231. ADRIFT (2025).

https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/1 ... now-mbf21/

This 11-level wad (one secret), begins in a UAC complex hidden in the mountains, complete with techno-like bases that give way to demonic fortresses as you descend deeper. The ultimate goal is to find and defeat a powerful demon. The gameplay is linear, fast-paced, and moderately difficult. Two types of custom monsters are present: a more dangerous shotgun-wielding zombie and modified spiders. The epilogue features a unique boss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCDHXgqx7GM (trailer) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_Si2B- ... UU0AYAuIbi (playlist)

Settings and features:

* GzDoom 4.14.1, UV difficulty.
* Complete completion will take approximately 2 hours.

Secret level.

---

M4 -> M11. There's an elevator in the south of the map. If you go around it from behind, you'll see a switch that opens a nearby wall.

[UnknDoomer]

46. NIB (2023).

https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/1 ... ibute-wad/

A short map, with predominantly dark tones, the main feature of which is a MIDI melody inspired by the band Black Sabbath.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYPzBpunpOM (video)

Settings and features:

* GzDoom 4.14.2, UV difficulty.
* The final segment on M8, a room filled with cyberdemons, apparently cannot be completed without cheat codes, and not only "god" but also "noclip".
* A full playthrough will take ~ 7 minutes.

[UnknDoomer]

232. ][vydotwad (2025).

https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/1 ... twad-cl21/

A wad consisting of 11 levels (9 main levels, an epilogue, and a bonus level occupying slot M31), which is notable for two aspects: brutal encounters capable of challenging, and often confounding, even the most experienced players; and a rather unusual architecture, coupled with unconventional movement patterns in some areas. Doomguy has been replaced by a blue-haired young lady. Custom monsters are present: hurricane-speed marines with plasma rifles, afrits (a dangerous type of flying baron), and weakened cyberdemons.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sS8aS2 ... lZi7BHUNxq (playlist)

Settings and features:

* GzDoom 4.14.2, UV difficulty.
* The final segment on M8, a room filled with cyberdemons, apparently can't be completed in GzDoom without cheat codes, and not just "god" but also "noclip".
* A full playthrough will take ~ 4 hours.

[UnknDoomer]

47. Dreamlike (2025).

https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/1 ... unchy-map/

Dreams can sometimes serve as a stimulus for creativity. Something similar can be observed in the case of this map, created by the author under the influence of a dream and subsequently recreated from the fragments retained in his memory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js4SqOFv63U (video)

Settings and features:

* GzDoom 4.14.2, UV difficulty.
* A full playthrough will take ~ 5 minutes.

[UnknDoomer]

48. Snapping carnage (2025).

https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/1 ... r-doom-ii/

Another map from Bendža M., notable for its slightly greater attention to detail, tight skirmishes in small spaces, and a noticeable shortage of ammo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xWU4CPcWis (video)

Settings and features:

* GzDoom 4.14.2, UV difficulty.
* A full playthrough will take ~ 14 minutes.

[UnknDoomer]

233. nuts 9000: the final nut (2025).

https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/1 ... ut-mess-1/

A wad, inspired by the unusual 3D graphics of the 1990s, same as particularly the work of a guy known as Plerb. Cconsists of 8 levels. The sprites for the pistol, machine gun, and BFG have been modified to match the setting. Beyond the graphics, it's a fairly standard work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZE76oihJGs (video)

Settings and features:

* GzDoom 4.14.2, UV difficulty.
* I couldn't figure out the logic behind M6. Regardless of the player's actions, the Doomguy dies some time after the map starts, specifically, there isn't enough time to reach the exit. Perhaps the map doesn't work correctly under GzDoom, or some non-obvious solution is required.
* A full playthrough will take ~ 50 minutes.

[UnknDoomer]

234. MAYhem 2025: The Tomb of Dotriacontagon (2025).

https://www.old-games.ru/forum/attachme ... ng.342506/

A massive wad consisting of 28 levels (4 secret ones), divided into 4 episodes, the theme of which revolves around Ancient Egypt. The concept, overall, is neither new nor unique, while full-fledged megawads entirely centered around such content have been rare, if ever, and especially rare with this level of development.

As usual, a decent number of custom textures are included. Sands, pyramids, lost tombs, and frescoes are included, along with numerous traps and archviles, which act as evil mummies. Otherwise, the gameplay specifics have been left unchanged. There are both short-lived and large-scale maps, and the difficulty level is uneven, partly due to the fact that this work is a collective compilation united by a common theme. Upon completion of each episode, the collected arsenal is reset.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecaDIod ... oVIqI_yxvv (playlist)

Settings and Features:

* GzDoom 4.14.2, UV difficulty.
* Exiting back to the hub from E3M6 didn't work. Exiting to the menu allows access to the entrance to E4M1.
* A full playthrough will take ~ 10 hours.

Pros:

+ This wad could be a suitable choice for those who want to immerse themselves in a particular theme while limiting themselves to just one activity.
+ E4M5. A classic distillation of what the average player can expect from a map, given the given theme.
+ E4M6. Enough huge and challenging slaughter maps have been created, particularly over the past 10+ years, as have wads consisting entirely of them. There are far fewer balanced and engaging wads that focus on the mechanics of monster-versus-monster combat and ignore a few of them.

Cons:

- E3M7. The Doomguy slowdown mechanic is questionable - without boost, he barely moves, and with boost, he moves too slowly. The wall leading to the north exit couldn't be opened in my case - apparently a bug, as upon retesting, it opened when I pressed the nearby gray platform. Used noclip.

I couldn't figure out how to get the yellow skull, or what the puzzle-like object in the east that it activates does.

Secret levels.

---

E1M1 - E1M7. Upon reaching the main exit, a teleporter will appear nearby - you can backtrack and discover the opening.

E2M4 - E2M7. Closer to the epilogue, in the southeast of the map, you can find a switch. Then, upon reaching the main exit, backtrack and proceed north.

E3M2 - E3M7. The exit is in the north of the map, but I couldn't figure out how to get there. In the east of the map, with sufficient health, you can rocket jump, then proceed through a series of traps and activate the switch - nothing changes on the map itself. The wall leading to the exit opens from the other side. No other visible passages were found. Used noclip.

E4M2 - E4M7. When using GzDoom, there's no point in entering the map - the frame rate drops to practically zero, presumably due to the presence of over 12800 monsters. Meanwhile, E4M6, with roughly half the monster count, works fine.

[UnknDoomer]

235. PUSS XLIII: Quoth the Raven 2 (2025).

https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/1 ... 2-idgames/

A sequel to the previously reviewed Heretic wad. It consists of three episodes with nine levels each, for a total of 27 (three secret ones). Each episode has its own unique style, of which there are three: ice fortresses, forest thickets, and a fiery world. This element is complemented by interspersed voids, into which you can periodically travel through various portals. The enemy count is moderate, no more than 150 (one of the initial conditions), and the maps are fairly short-lived, but executed with great attention to detail. Among the interesting mechanics, one can note the use of a return item to the beginning of the level - a usually rarely used, practically useless item, which regularly comes in handy here. Subjectively, the overall result surpasses the original in every respect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrbsMMA ... G3GmrC7Exp (playlist)

Settings and features:

* GzDoom 4.14.2, difficulty 4/5.
* Secret levels appear to be automatically accessible.
* Complete completion will take ~ 5,5 hours.

Pros:

+ Some of the most colorful and detailed Heretic levels I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot.
+ E2M6. The teleportation mechanic is implemented in a particularly interesting way.
+ E2M7. The "void segment" here is especially well-executed.
+ E3M2.

Secret levels.

---

E1M6 -> E1M9.
E2M4 -> E2M9.
E3M4 -> E3M9.

[UnknDoomer]

11. Heretic - just a E1M1 trial (2025).

https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/1 ... 1-trial-c/

A short map for Heretic, inspired by the recent remaster, and his first foray into mapmaking for this game. A custom melody is included.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCjOaZoFJ70 (video)

Settings and features:

* GzDoom 4.14.2, difficulty 4/5.
* A full playthrough takes ~ 4 minutes.

[UnknDoomer]

236. Three maps for Heretic (2025).

https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/1 ... r-heretic/

A three-map wad for Heretic, characterized by three characteristics: a large number of monsters, periodic ammo shortages, and a simple architecture featuring a mix of square and rectangular sections reminiscent of early shooters from the early 1990s. M3 can be abandoned without fully exploring the level.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYV0zW3Kb2s (video)

Settings and features:

* GzDoom 4.14.2, difficulty 4/5.
* A full playthrough will take ~ 1,5-2 hours.

[UnknDoomer]

237. Doom 64: Round 2 (2025).

https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/1 ... s-out-now/

An unofficial sequel to Doom 64. It consists of 32 levels (3 + 4 secret ones), built according to a generally familiar formula. Familiar locations are occasionally found, including reworked E1M1, E3M1 (regular and extended), E3M2, and E3M5 from the original Doom. Exits to runes and a special weapon are not hidden here—they are located near the main escape points. There are also borrowed elements from the original Doom 64.

The author also rebalanced the difficulty level following "I Own Doom!", as he found the original too easy. I traditionally prefer playing Doom 64 on "IOD!", and despite its sometimes apparent simplicity and ammo abundance, there are still challenging sections.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMAIqq5 ... ycsG7cQrKw (playlist)

Settings and features:

* DOOM64 EX+ 4.2.0.0, "I Own Doom!" difficulty.
* Destroying all barrels on the M1, including hidden ones, rewards you with a minigun.
* Complete completion takes ~ 4 hours.

Secret levels.

---

M25 - only available when choosing the option to move to a specific level, in case of a Steam version, or by entering the code "idclev25" in-game, not in the console or menu.
M26. Same thing.
M27. Same thing.
M1 -> M32. Detonating barrels, including hidden ones, briefly opens a teleporter leading to a secret exit at the beginning of the level. If you don't get there in time, you'll miss the opportunity to cross. For this reason, it's a good idea to save the barrel next to the blue orb for last.
M4 -> M29.
M12 -> M30.
M19 -> M31.