Mission Brief:
On this page you will find the 10 levels (or level packs) that, in my opinion, you MUST have on your hard drive.
If you don't, you are denying yourself some serious entertainment. These levels may not be the latest or the
most complex, but they are the finest examples of the art of Quake editing I have seen to date. Enjoy them!
Chart last updated Saturday 11th October, 1997 |
1.
Penumbra of Domination by Marcus Dromowicz - mexx9.zip 4.77mb, Released September '97 |
|
This level requires Quake version 1.08 (Dissolution of Eternity) to run. (I have had reports that WinQuake 1.09 runs this .pak fine without having Dissolution, but can't confirm it. Get WinQuake from here.).
Well, I have to say it - I haven't had as much fun playing Quake since Scourge of Armagon. Penumbra of Domination is an absolute masterpiece on so many different levels - architecture, gameplay, Quake C, sound and lighting effects, cut scenes - the list is endless. From the moment you enter the start level, Monastery of the Time Monks, you are hit with mesmerizing effects - doors rotate and lightning cracks as you enter the main levels. Once into the first level, Cadaver Carnival, you are on a rollercoaster ride that thankfully lasts for ages! Each level in the 5 level pack carries Marcus' trademark of huge structures and outdoor areas, coupled with well thought out and executed (if you'll pardon the pun!) tricks and traps. Gameplay is always challenging, but, importantly, always beatable - the levels are interesting enough to make you search but never frustrate.
In my favourite level of the 5, Tower of Twilight, you enter a hall full of monsters praying to an altar - this has to be seen to be believed, with perfect animation and terrific new sound effects. The final battle with the Bishop himself is also stunning, as he mutates from monster to monster - this endgame is as tough as you'll ever play and there's a twist. Feel like going for the trusty Impulse 9? No way - "cheater" hisses the evil Bishop - you'll have to take it like a man :)
I could write a book on how much I like this level pack. On the downside, I don't know how well lesser machines may cope with some of the larger areas (my machine is like a cheetah on speed :). This goes straight to the top of my favourites list - a new benchmark has been set. |
2.
Beyond Belief by Matthias Worch - bbelief.zip, 6.98mb, Released June '97 |
|
After months of waiting, Matthias Worch has come up with the goods and Beyond Belief is upon us. It's difficult to know where to start with this piece of work - it screams quality from the word go and never lets up. Matthias designed BB to complement the original episode of Quake and I have to say that if id had released this episode rather than theirs, you wouldn't have heard me complaining! Every aspect of this episode has been nailed - archictecture that will leave your jaw on the floor, gameplay that is challenging, intense but never unfair, and level designs that force the player to work hard to progress but never frustrate. Matthias has remained true to the original spirit of Quake with no new monsters or weapons but they honestly aren't required. He breathes new life into the genre and shows that extra embellishments aren't needed to create a truly spectacular Quake experience. Favourites of mine are The Cleanse and The Lava Grounds but it's hard to choose a favourite when all the levels are so good. Hook up that modem and sit back for a long download in the knowledge that you are about to witness true greatness from a master of level design! DM/SK/CO |
3.
Zerstörer - Testament of the Destroyer by Nihilism Unlimited - zer.zip 10.9mb, Released October '97 |
|
The waiting is over. Zerstörer has been one of the mostly eagerly awaited projects over the past months and the finished product easily lives up to the hype. This is what a partial conversion is all about - 8 single player levels plus start map, 5 dedicated deathmatch levels, 5 new weapons and 4 new monsters including the awesome mega-enforcer. Getting started with Zerstörer can be a difficult task - Nihilism have chosen to include an autoexec.cfg file within the .pak, and for players like me who have a custom .cfg this is a pain. First thing I did was to break out ADQuedit and hack the .pak! That done and you're into the levels proper. The start map gives a great indication of what's to come - oozing atmosphere, cool architecture and great new textures. From then on it's a nightmarish journey through some truly *scary* levels, interspersed with cut scenes (and I emphasise the word 'cut' :) that have been perfectly executed by the Spielberg of Quake, Darin McNeil. To single out levels would be ultimately pointless as they all add to the overall experience - my eyes took a hammering from the brutally dark and disorientating 'Among the Dead' but I'll live :) My own personal favourite would have to be Kandyman's 'Bunker' - a huge military complex, protected by deadly gun turrets (try hurling a couple of grenades at 'em!) with some of the best architecture I've yet seen in a level of this type, right down to the coolest lifts you've ever seen!
It's no secret that it took me a while to come to terms with Zerstörer - like a classic album that's 'ok' the first time you hear it, only to have burned itself onto your brain after a dozen plays. I'm glad I took the time with it - it's REALLY worth it. The entire Zerstörer team - Killme, Kandyman, Ace_Dave, Manzer, Midiguy, Dr. Rigormortis, Ratmonkey and Darin McNeil (wot - no nick, Darin? :) - should be congratulated on a superb piece of work. If John Cash likes it, it must be good :) |
4.
The Guardhouse /
The Elektra Complex
by Andrew Smith - 479k/545k, Released December '96, July '97 |
|
(I couldn't decide which of these two levels was my favourite so I put both in - so sue me!)
The Guardhouse:
The second level of a new Episode, The Epoch Turning, The Guardhouse by Andrew Smith is a beautifully constructed level with stunning architectural detail (Andrew has a very distinctive style),
coupled with great playability. The level also plays great with bots and is enhanced with new areas for deathmatch play.A totally immersive level and very highly recommended!
The Elektra Complex:
The Elektra Complex is not (as the name might suggest) a base level - it's medieval hellhole of a level that demonstrates Andrew's art of superlative gameplay. Detail is minimal in this level but the well crafted architecture means it's not missed. Corridors and walkways wind around each other from above and below, meaning that you're always in danger of attack from all angles. One thing that really impressed me about this map was the attention Andrew has paid to the underwater areas - something that id did so well but that many user-levels miss out on. The lighting is also tremendous, adding a really ominous feel to the map. This map should be superb for Reapers/DM too. A thoroughly enjoyable level and a 'must-have' download. |
5.
Starship by Neil Manke, Quake C by Einar Saukas - starship.zip, 1.5mb, Released August '97 |
|
It's fair to say that to date, Neil's levels, which have received acclaim elsewhere, haven't pushed my buttons - UNTIL NOW! Starship is one of the most imaginative, innovative and downright *fun* levels I've seen. There are so many cool things in this level, from flushing toilets to cryogenic chambers to grunts standing in front of candy machines (really!) that you need to play through it half a dozen times at least. Starship is, as the name suggests, set on a space station which has been completely decorated in Neil's own superb textures and populated with re-skinned quake monsters, turning ogres into grenade-throwing cyborgs and knights into laser sword wielding maniacs. Surprisingly, this works exceptionally well. Level architecture is really inventive and well built, with Einar Saukas spicing things up with superb Quake C, altering gravity in certain areas, adding new ambient sounds in others. And the end sequence has to be seen to be believed. Congratulations Neil (and Einar) on a superb gaming experience. SK/NM |
6.
Prodigy Special Edition by Dario Casali - prodigy_se.zip, 4.37mb, Released June '97 |
|
Update 12.11.97: You can pick up a patch to upgrade Prodigy SE to GL mode from here.
Prodigy Special Edition is a complete 6 level episode (1 start map, 1 secret map and 4 regular maps) by Dario Casali. Most of the maps have been released individually - I believe Venom is the newcomer here - but have all been optimised for this episode with new monsters and weapon placements. There can be no doubting the immense skill of Dario's editing. Architecture and texturing is jaw droppingly perfect - possibly the best I've seen - and gameplay is superb too, if a touch too hard in places for the average player. If anything, it's that same architecture that lets PSE down slightly. In quite a few places (most notably map 2 - The Ebony Shrine) the framerate drops badly and I even experienced greyflash - never a good sign. If you have a machine with the muscle to do this episode justice, then it's a must-have. Map 4, The Sombre Citadel, is worth the length of the download alone! Dario is now working for Valve Software - it's easy to see why :) |
7.
The Netherworld by Dave Kelvin - networld.zip, 622k, Released July '97 |
|
Simple - one word - AWESOME! The metal style is my favourite after military base and Dave Kelvin has produced an absolutely stunning map, similar in style to E1M6. Everything about this map screams excellence - build quality is about the best I've ever seen, the use of textures is perfect, gameplay is tremendous and secrets are well hidden but very original. Two things in particular shine in this map - the lighting (no pun intended :) and the use of triggered traps and events. Floors and walls move, structures rise and fall and you are constantly on the edge of your seat to see what happens next. Each area of the map is compact and neatly built so the framerate stays high throughout, and every area is worthy of a screenshot. I've played some fantastic maps in the past few days, but this one really blew me away - I suggest that an immediate download is imperative :) If you downloaded the previous version of this map (Kevlar1) forget it and get this instead. DM/SK |
8.
Myworld is Yourworld by Martin R. Goedtke - iam1.zip, 771k, Released June '97 |
|
Hold the front page! It's been a LONG time since I was as impressed by a level as I was with Martin Goedtke's Myworld is Yourworld. Everything about this level oozes quality and originality. Its theme could be described as medieval but it's not - the architecture alone is like nothing you've seen before in a level, combining otherworldly buildings, maze-like areas, and stunning cathedral-like rooms with fantastic gameplay ideas and cinematic lighting. Let's make no bones about it - this is one tough level, but one you MUST persevere with (this is Version 2, which adds difficulty settings, thank god!). You won't beat it first time round, or even second, but the level makes you want to play until the end, sucking you deeper and deeper until you think you'll never exit. The screenshots give a taste of what awaits you, but don't think that the big orange dude is the end of your troubles :) This level may not be everybody's cup of tea, but to me it's an absolute classic. DM/SK/CO |
9.
Homecoming by Iikka Keranen - ikspq4.zip, 521k, Released July '97 |
|
It has to be said - Iikka makes the most beautiful maps the world has ever known :) This map is the fourth in the ikspq series of levels and it's even more stunning than the previous maps. The architecture is breathtaking and is highlighted by the fact that all the textures are custom created by Iikka to an incredibly high standard. The build quality of the level is unsurpassed - I deliberately looked for at least 1 tiny texture misalignment and couldn't find one! And now for the bad news - this map is so tough (even on easy skill) it's almost impossible - if you don't have the previous ikspq maps, give yourself ALL weapons at the start of the level or you will die - guaranteed! And play this level twice - once for real and once to admire the scenery :) DM/SK/CO |
10.
Jawbreaker by Matt Sefton - jawbreak.zip 935k, Released July '97 |
|
Inspired by the base levels from Scourge of Armagon and some of the Quake 2 screenshots, and intended as a (semi) sequel to The Underworld, Jawbreaker is a sprawling base environment featuring cool traps, lotsa nice architecture and a very high monster count - 111 on hard :) It was my intention to make this level the best piece of work I possibly could, and I'm pretty pleased with the results. The flow is relatively linear and at times Doom-like, but to me that adds to the flavour. At 2081 brushes, Jawbreaker managed to grind WorldCraft to a standstill, so even if I wanted to, I couldn't add more to it :) It's a pretty hard job to describe your own level so do yourself a favour and download the sucker! Once you've had your jaw broken a few times, let me know how it felt! There are some more screenshots on the Matt's Levels page. SK |
Levels knocked out of the Top Ten as of October '97
Shadow Over Innsmouth by Steve Rescoe
Village of Dread by Steve Rescoe
Torture by Gyro Gearloose
The Vigil by Wright Bagwell
Rust in Peace by Mike Reute
The Underworld by Matt Sefton
Levels knocked out of the Top Ten as of June '97
Levels knocked out of the Top Ten as of March '97
Beyond Belief (Preview) by Matthias Worch
(replaced by the full Beyond Belief Episode)
The Downward Spiral by Stan C.
Prodigy One by Dario Casali
(replaced by Prodigy Special Edition)
Critters by Jim Lowell
Prepare for Hell by Obi-Wan
The Gib Factory by Scope
Museum by Steve Rescoe
Place of Belonging by Martin Hryniewiecki
Key:
DM -
Map includes Deathmatch starts.
CO -
Map includes Cooperative starts.
SK -
Map includes all Difficulty settings.
NM -
Map includes new Monster models or skins.
GL -
Map has been compiled for GLQuake.