SenhorFlibble
commented
1 month ago Since you're proposing a review of the lore too, what do you think, generally, of potentially overhauling the general design of Phase 1 maps? (just putting aside the practical aspect of it being a lot of work for whoever will be willing to do that)
So far, Freed∞m has been more or less following vanilla Doom's general design lines, with E1 being techbase, E2 slowly changing to castle-like locations (ruins in the latest revisions) and E3 being a hell-like place. However, there are no theoretical limitations to actually changing the setting within a single episode as well, especially since the project can incorporate, and has already done so, many more textures outside the original vanilla-style set.
I've always been a fan of FPS games where the levels provide solid visual storytelling (like many of the Build engine titles, Star Wars: Dark Forces, etc.), which can be found in some very good Doom TCs and mapsets, but is not really a huge feature of the vanilla game. Revae's REKKR is one excellent example of this being done within the limits of The Ultimate Doom. However, for now I'm not sure if this should be a goal of Freed∞m, although previously I've argued for this approach in the forums.
As far as I can tell, the current Phase 1 mapset comprises several "layers" of material, with some maps dating back to the very early stages of the project where the design was basically very much influenced by the vanilla style and even some of the exact tropes from those maps, while other maps are newer and trying to do something else, with varying degree of success. Again, I'm not sure how the storyline would accommodate a more visible change of scenery between levels -- but even in the setting of a remote outpost on a distant planet, one could imagine various locations that look different enough, like some kind of tech facilities, labs, living quarters, storehouses and maybe an archaeological dig. Hey, even the original Chex Quest provided a good variety of themes between levels, and all within a five-map episode built off vanilla Doom.
Anyways, I certainly like your idea of the secret maps being something more special. In fact, why not make a reference to some other Doom community project in at least one map (and use appropriate textures for it)? That would certainly be fun I guess.
Tiramisu100
This is less of an issue and more of a topic for discussion. I personally always disliked how Phase 1's secret maps were just kind of regular maps, which makes finding them less rewarding than it could be.
Potential replacements for the secret maps could be short levels focused on one aspect each, f.eg. platforming, puzzles and a single big fight (with more monsters than seen anywhere else in the game).