The problem with super clever, impossibly difficult maps is that no one will be fucked playing them. It's gone straight into the trash. Can't even be bothered godmodding my way through.

*earperks!*
Ooooh... Hard! Hee - I'm Spectrumvixen, and I'm a nightmarist. I like getting viciously beaten to a pulp by nades and fiends. I like grabbing keys and pulling triggers. Most importantly, I like a challenge... so when I hear something like Felch's comment... I think

No one? REALLY!? Now I need to try this! *ker-download*

This maps are somehow different from the typical ones. There is a nice story and interaction with the player. The atmosphere is dark and mysterious. The combat is tough but rewarding. Recommended.

1) this is the ultimate marmite map. you either love it or hate it. (and if you hate it, you suck)

2) unique is spelled wrong in the tags.

This is incredibly well-done for what it is, but gameplay is pretty much on rails. The very start can be off-putting (I guess that is what felch's comment is based on), but for the most part it's neither tricky nor particularly difficult; the maps effectively take you by the hand and lead you from undeniably impressive setpiece to setpiece, while (over-)explaining every tiniest detail via on-screen messages. It looks great, but feels more like an interactive B-movie or carnival ride than a game. From what I can tell (from watching youtube playthroughs), this is pretty much how the majority of modern shooters play, so I guess this release was ahead of its time.

The sole purpose of these maps is to fuck you up it seems. Monsters in pitch-black corners or shambler spawning with half of his paw up your ass, but I must admit it fits the story.

It does play like a B movie (a nice one!) and that's why I absolutely loved it.

So different and had me smiling most of the journey...Maybe not for everyone but certainly entertained me

Brutal raw shotgun showdown with ogres, fiends and shamblers, amazing speedruns and some deadly ambushes in a nice and atmospheric hellish temple, all spiced with some unusual effects and almost humoristc scenes.

This unorthodox, 3-map tale will upset you if you think it's unfair any map you cannot defeat in your first run - believe me, you won't. Because it is not balanced, it is not fair and does no good to to your self-esteem. But it's fun and challenging as hell.

As an old-school player, I enjoy so much this 20th century maps because they are a living memory of what a good map was at that times, simple, straightforward and focused in gameplay. Now the story is quite different but this does not make Abbot's Rune less fascinating, entertaining and attracting.

And maybe it's just me, but I find so many ways and attitudes to play this level that I am afraid it is less known that it deserves. Anyway this appreciation is always based on personal expectations and how many ogres you can fight at a time with a Shotgun, your guts and no covers.

If you play with this map, the map will play along with you.

Score: 5/5

The architecture is impressive but the game design stinks. This isn't about "old school" or "difficult". The monsters are placed like a 2 year old with finger paints just splashing crap all over the place. Monsters spawn behind you, they spawn on top of you, and they spawn constantly and not in interesting configurations.