WAD Review of LEDGES.WAD
(ocf.unt.edu  /pub/doom/wads/newwads/ledges.wad)

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Title             : LEDGES.WAD
Authors           : Mark K. Gresbach Jr.
Email Address     : [email protected]
Misc. Author Info : additional credits to: Steve Burg, Douglas Hay,
                   Bill Nowicki, John Washburn and Phil Katz

Description:

       Ledges.wad is a one-room, multiplayer PWAD perfectly suited for
       a deathmatch.  It loads as e1m1, and can be played as a single
       player or up to three of your friends (four players).

       "Ledges" is aptly named; it features a large circular open-air
       room, surrounded by ledges--staircases, balconies and an ele-
       vator.


             *                        *                      *

       Ledges can get tough, especially if you start with the monsters.
       There are a few little secrets--a couple supercharges and one
       invincibility.  The level features all the guns, but if you want
       the BFG9000 you'll pay with about 25% health for it (unless you
       get it a special way--no, I'm not telling ;).  And since there's
       only one elevator on the level, you'd better be ready to defend
       your right to it, because if your opponenets want to live they'll
       try to stop you from going up.

       With four people this level is a riot.  A fight in the courtyard
       between you and all three opponents will leave you in a cold
       sweat, especially if you come out alive.  And the weapons are
       _very_ nicely placed.  The chaingun is always within easy reach,
       while the more powerful weapons are rightly more secluded.

       Playing with just two people is still exciting, but not as fun.
       For example, in your quest for more weapons, you will constantly
       see your opponent on an opposite ledge, gleefully snickering at
       you and no doubt yelling something about your momma.  And you'll
       end up rushing madly down the stairs, praying to every god you
       remember that they aren't hiding around the corner, calmly wait-
       ing for you to pass before they launch a rocket in your direction.

       Hunting on this level is gratifying.  Other than the above scen-
       ario, if you see someone you can generally find them.  The light
       level in the area is always pretty high, so you won't be craning
       your neck to peer into the dark areas.  The area partly rewards
       the hunters by giving them a view of everything that's going on
       while at the same time alotting the defensive players some time
       to prepare for the onslaught.

       The only problems I had with this level were some of the room
       textures, which, in some places, abruptly changed from one motif
       to another.  This leaves something to be desired, and doesn't
       turn out looking very well.  But in all, the level looks fairly
       nice.  And "I wonder why he chose that pattern of blue" is NOT
       going to be your dying thought as you get blasted to bits with a
       plasma rifle.  One known bug is that in the room that you would
       start in in one-player play, there is a green armor which sits
       in the corner but cannot be picked up.


       On scales of 0 to 10:

       Layout:         8
       Textures:       6
       Difficulty:     7
       Huntability:    9
       Funness:        9

       On a Cameron overall scale of 0 to 10, LEDGES.WAD scores a 7.8.

       Level Hint: Try to be the first to rush up the elevator and get
                   the plasma rifle and invicibility sphere.  This way
                   you'll be able to hunt your weapon-searching doomed
                   opponents and not worry about taking the hits.  But
                   be prepared to back up your elevator claim with at
                   least a chaingun--your friends may also have the
                   same idea.

Daniel.
[email protected]