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Screenshot of qblack
Author:J.F.Gustafsson
Title:Black
Download:qblack.zip (4dd586edc7a529620ef13e8cdc78b794)
Filesize:2384 Kilobytes
Release date:18.12.1997
Homepage:
Additional Links: erc's QualityTEAMShamblerTen FourUnderworldfan's
Type:Partial conversion
BSP: ✔ • PAK: ✔ • PROGS.DAT: ✘ • Custom Models/Sounds: ✘

Files in the ZIP archive:
File Size Date
Black.bat1 KB17.12.1997
Black.txt3 KB18.12.1997
Config.cfg3 KB18.12.1997
pak0.pak5927 KB17.12.1997

qblack.zip - Black

Small episode with three Wizard and one Base level as well as a start map. Also has a few new textures and different endings depending on skill level. Very nice!

Tags: episode, wizard, base, traps

Editor's Rating: Nice
User Rating: 4.2/5 with 11 ratings
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Ron 2 March 2009, 11:28
Actually this is a bit better than "nice"
It might not have all the graphical power than some mappers possess, but it's real good gameplay wise. Really worth giving a go, this.
dwere Registered 28 February 2014, 18:28

A few neat classic maps spoiled by some amateur traps of the "press a random button and die instantly" variety.

Icantthinkofanickname Registered 16 April 2014, 12:57

Some parts are indeed nice (e.g. the boats and the Lego-house-like architecture seen in the screenshot), but unfortunately I do not share Ron's enthusiasm.

Progression felt very random at times: there seemed to be little to no underlying logic about where the player had to go next or what buttons needed to be pressed, and for what reason. I also have to agree with dwere to some extent -- insta-death traps do not bother me as long as there are environmental clues as to what may happen ... which did not always seem to be the case here.

Then again, perhaps I am just out of practice, as this is the first map/episode I have played in a long while.

There was also one trap that could easily be used to dispatch of monsters. This is something I always find lots of fun to do, even when it is easier and simpler just to shoot them.

As someone who usually plays on skill 1 and who feels that the lower skill levels should not be insanely hard, I am in two minds about the "different endings", to quote the editor's description above. I certainly understand where Shambler is coming from in calling it "elitist", and I partly agree, but I also though it was a rather clever way of adding replay value (though it would certainly be annoying if all episodes/map packs did this).

That being said, as I actually have no intention of replaying on skill 2 or 3, I just noclipped through to the final map anyway (and had a peek at the "easy" cave ... which provides a pretty predictable cheap laugh).

For all its shortcomings, my overall impressions of this mini-episode were on balance positive. It was the first J.F.Gustafsson release I have played, but probably not the last.

Spirit Registered, rated this a 3 17 April 2014, 17:47

What Icantthinkofanickname said basically. Without the death-traps this would have been better. Traps are fun if they are clearly visible and understandable. Dying randomly is not. I did not like how random progression often was either, iirc the first map has a a-b-a-b like back and forth between locations without a reasonable incentive.

MikeTaylor Registered, rated this a 4 19 July 2016, 0:15

An enjoyable set of old-school levels that present an enjoyable challenge on Nightmare but would probably be too easy to hold attention at lower difficulty. I'm glad I stumbled on this, even if the ending is a tad anticlimactic.

FredBezies Registered, rated this a 5 10 August 2016, 20:59

An episode I played with pleasure. Worth two hours of your time ;)

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