Another of my favourite maps (DAMN YOU, CZG). It may not be as good looking as some of his other maps, but the gameplay is fantastic, with lots of nice secrets and a few really fantastic battles (particularly at the end)

One of my favourites as well. Thematically, this (alongside czg's Terra4, which is possibly my favourite map of all time) defines "Swampy Wizard" for me - which is by far my favourite theme. I would have gone with a torch-based approach to the lighting rather than the metal-style lights here, but that's a minor quibble.

Gameplay-wise it's classic czg. In fact, playing Februus Depth, Numb Nimbus, and then this, back-to-back today was like immersing myself into a warm vat of czg-flavoured quakey goodness. I think he does pacing possibly better than anyone, knowing when to hold back, and knowing when to assault the player, with an enviable degree of intuition.

+1 on Kinn's comment: he said everything I would have said. Twelve years on, Cermonial Circles is unsurpassed in its idiot. I've never played another level that feels so dingy and forsaken. Awesome work.

I rated this a 4? Weird.

Video with commentary

MAN, i love me some czg!

One of my favourite maps ever. The atmosphere is great, the visuals are good and the combat is amazing. This map is huge, frantic and very difficult. You're constantly under fire, but in a good way (I like this much better than other maps like that such as Coagula 2). I love the feeling of ascent in this map, too. A must play in my opinion.

I just noticed that I wrote "Twelve years on, Cermonial Circles is unsurpassed in its idiot" a year ago! Obviously what I meant to say was "unsurpassed in its idiom"!

^^

This is one of my all time favourite czg map. I wish he would still map. Can't thank him enough :)

About the torches versus electric lights issue: there are both kinds in this map, and I don't think it's a coincidence. To me, this suggests an ancient world which has been intruded by future humans. You lose this symbolism with torches alone.