Title: Diabolus Ex
Date: 2018-08-02 11:30
Last week-end, I had several hours of train. So I wrote [some code](
https://0xacab.org/jvoisin/mat2), read some
paper, … but also played a map of
[DOOM2]( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doom_II ).
I already wrote about a *megawad* called
[Blade of agony]({filename}/games/blade_of_agony.md),
but this time, it's a much smaller project.
> DOOM meets Deus Ex. This map is a love letter to cyberpunk genre as a whole
> and the Deus Ex franchise in particular. Using the whole new set of custom made
> textures, the project aims to recreate the look and vibe of an unethical near
> future corporation run by the forces of hell.
Being a fan of the cyberpunk genre, this map was a delight: the level design
is nice, secrets (and air vents) everywhere, the music (actually, a single
track) does its job, the visuals and ambiance are astonishing…
I was especially impressed by the reflections on the floors, the
render of the lights, the glow of the neons, animated and translucent textures …
If it wasn't for the monsters and the weapons, you could easily believe that
you're playing a retro version of the latest [Deus Ex](
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_Ex ). By the way, speaking of
monsters, if you don't like shooting them (or more likely being shot by them),
the map is so well laid that it's worth exploring it even without any ennemies
by starting it with the `-nomonsters` flag.
My screenshots could be prettier, but my computer isn't powerful enough
to be able to handle [ambiant
occlusion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambient_occlusion),
[anti aliasing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-aliasing) and other modern
shininess without going into slideshow mode; and I wasn't patient enough to
walk the level at 4 frames per second to take more impressive ones,
sorry.
You can (and should) now:
1. Download GZDoom [here]( https://www.zdoom.org/downloads );
2. get DOOM 2 [here]( https://www.gog.com/game/doom_ii_final_doom ), since
the `DOOM2.WAD` is required to play this mod;
3. download the WAD [here]( https://www.doomworld.com/forum/topic/101473-gzdoom-diabolus-ex-v11/ )
or [here]( https://www.moddb.com/mods/diabolus-ex );
4. check prettier screenshots than mine [here]( https://www.artstation.com/artwork/ZvlY8 ) while everything is downloading;
5. play the mod;
6. play it again in *Nightmare* difficulty;
7. take the time to say something to the author [here]( https://twitter.com/Arvydas_B ).
