Micky C said:
looking at a bunch of numbers is a bit tedious, it would be nice if someone wrote a sentence or two about each level as well
- What I like the most about the level is the non-linearity; there are so many different ways you can tackle it with all the different routes. Without a doubt the most memorable level in the game.
Red Light District - 10 - The best city map in the game; it has all the aspects of what makes a
really good city map. And not only that but it's just so much fun to play.
Death Row - 8 - A bit lackluster compared to the previous level and the submarine at the end could've been so much better but Death Row still manages to be a fun level with some impressive level design and architecture. Also contains one of the more memorable easter egg in the game.
Toxic Dump - 7 - Unfortunately Toxic Dump takes a dive for the worse with some bland and uninspiring gameplay, though the part in which you need to shrink in order to progress is indeed a
really good part. However it does contain some interesting combat both on land and underwater.
Launch Facility - 10 - If it wasn't for Red Light District I'd say that Launch Facility would be the best level in the episode. The beginning is indeed a bit bland but if you'd see what you would do later in the level I doubt you'd really mind. I just find this level really fun to play and explore.
The Abyss - 7 - Arguably one of the most hated level in the game due to it's large size, non-linearity and being very obscure of what you need to do in order to progress. Still, once you know what to do, it can still be an enjoyable level. It's quite impressive to look at due to its sheer size.
Faces of Death - 3 - Okay, obviously this isn't really meant to be a singleplayer level due to the fact that it doesn't even contain a level exit sign. Either way, the only enemy you encounter are Mini-Battlelord's and you fight these in relatively cramped rooms and thus it's unforgivingly difficult. Needless to say, it's a fairly shitty map and not fun to play at all. Perhaps it's fun in multiplayer, as it was designed for, but, lets face it, for singleplayer it just doesn't work.
Spaceport - 9 - A good start in this space episode. Some really strong shading present here which really sets the mood for the rest of the episode. Always liked this level.
Incubator - 8 - Not as good as Spaceport but it still manages to be fun to play. What this level is most likely remembered from is the Octabrain hive and the large amount of Protozoid Slimers and eggs you encounter near the end.
Warp Factor - 8 - A great level with a very moody soundtrack. Contains some cramped combat and annoyingly you need to fight a large amount of Sentry Drones in these corridors. Also, though it can be hard to spot there's a very memorable secret area you can find here as well.
Fusion Station - 7 - A large level; architecture is fairly impressive but I find it quite bland to look at. Despite it's size it's not really that hard, not as The Abyss at least, and if you have a jetpack you can use it to go all the way up to the nuke sign. Interestingly it doesn't have any key cards whatsoever which I've always liked.
Occupied Territory - 6 - Compared to the previous level this is quite small and very linear. However, it's also one of the most difficult level in the episode depending on what difficulty you're playing on. Still, a fairly bland level with not much to go by. I've always found the part with the blue key card annoyingly difficult.
Spin Cycle - 4 - Another multiplayer map which wasn't designed for singleplayer. Interesting design with the large circular spinning track but otherwise very bland and quite tedious to play through as you're just running around throwing switches back and forth in rooms that all look alike.
Tiberius Station - 8 - A great level. Again you're back into the more clean areas of the station and it's a welcome relief compared to the two previous fairly dull levels. Nothing really stands out here but it still manages to be a fun experience and it's definitely good at what is does. Very fun to play actually.
Lunar Reactor - 9 - A large level which I always found a bit intimidating at first. Contains a few memorable areas such as the large cave with the abyss in which you need to jump over; there's also an awesome easter egg there. Near the end you will also need to blow up the reactor core which results in lots of eye candy - gotta love it! Either way, a great and fun level for me which sets the mood for the next level.
Dark Side - 10 - Finally comes my personal favorite of all the levels in this episode. It's just so fun to play and also the moody and ambient soundtrack is easily one of the best in the game. Dark Side is a big level containing a large amount of different areas and lots amount of combat. It's also another one of those levels in which you can skip a large amount of the level if you have the jetpack in your possession. Near the end there's a memorable homage to a great movie as well.
Lunatic Fringe - 5 - Yet another multiplayer map; this one is very small and can be completed in just a few minutes. The symmetrical construction is quite neat however. I also find it fairly difficult when fighting a bunch of Mini-Battelord's in tight spaces.
Overlord - 8 - This level doesn't take place on any space station or moon base as you previously went through but rather inside a alien space station. As with a few other levels a huge chunk, basically the whole level, can be skipped near the beginning. Arguably the more memorable part, at least my favorite, is the boss chamber at the end which contains lots of Protozoid Eggs that can be destroyed by triggering a chain reaction of explosions. Definitely a fun level only weakened by the fairly easy boss battle against the Overlord.
Raw Meat - 8 - A great fun level to play. I've always found the soundtrack a bit haunting, especially when you're looking at the body parts on the plates slowly moving across the table.
Bank Roll - 7 - A good beginning but somehow I've always disliked the level once you enter the bank, don't know if it has something to do with the annoying puzzle in which you need to acquire the red key card.
Flood Zone - 8 - An interesting level. What I like the most is the half land and half underwater gameplay. I always used to watch the demo playback on this level back in the days, don't know why.
L.A. Rumble - 8 - Another good map which is great fun to play. Always liked the part once you reach the top of the building after riding the elevator and having to jump on the half destroyed building with the large sign, then jumping through the small window was always nerve-racking.
Movie Set - 7 - Definitely a good level although personally I wish it would've been bigger than it was.
Tier Drops - 5 - Interesting level which is the hardest bunch of all in this episode. Originally a multiplayer map obviously but it actually works as singleplayer as well. It can be fun unless you blow up all the girls and have to fight several Mini-Battlelord's. Yikes.
Rabid Transit - 7 - Good concept although I've always found this level fairly dull to play and not as difficult as it should've been. Personally I prefer the reincarnation found in the Nintendo 64 version.
Fahrenheit - 8 - Great fun to play though I've always found the fire station terrible design wise to say the least; very bland with nothing to explore which is a shame considering the rest of the level is quite good especially the radio station - K.TIT!
Hotel Hell - 9 - If it weren't for Freeway this level would beat the crap out of the rest of the levels in the episode. Great level design with nice sector over sector work. Most importantly it's hella fun to play.
Freeway - 9 - Most likely my favorite level of the bunch. Always liked how you start in the shitty sewers and work your way up to the freeway while being shot at from all directions by RPV's and Pig Cops. "Terminated!"
Stadium - 6 - Design wise this level is extremely flat and dull, however I've always found it fun to play and mess around in. Fighting a big ass boss in a football field with cheerleaders on opposite sides... that's just rad.
It's Impossible - 9 - Gotta love this soundtrack! A great fun level containing lots of movie references. When thinking of Episode 4 this map always keeps popping up in my head.
Duke-Burger - 9 - Yet another great level. It's not particularly large in size but it's very fun to play. I always liked the fact that you can ignore the blue key card and thus skip a bit of the level.
Shop-N-Bag - 8 - Not as good as the two previous strong levels but Shop-N-Bag still manages to be an enjoyable experience throughout. Only thing I dislike it the last part with the crushers; goddamn things are hard to control.
Babe Land - 9 - One of the best levels in the episode. Quite large with lots of areas to explore; best thing about it is that it actually feels like some sort of theme park.
Pigsty - 7 - Fun but unfortunately quite bland level. The beginning is awesome however and the fight in the court room is crazy.
Area 51 - 10 - Oh yes, my personal favorite in the entire episode. I've liked these types of maps in which you begin in some isolated area but later on after making some progress you find yourself just outside a large base. Ridiculously fun level with a really epic ending.
Going Postal - 8 - A fairly good level but once you reach 3 quarters of it shit really starts to hit the fan. The ending is one of the most craziest battle you'll have in the entire game. Love it!
XXX-Stacy - 6 - Very misleading title unfortunately; "take a generic stick and slap this level with it" would be more fitting. The beginning is good but unfortunately everything takes a nosedive to the worse once you reach the outside. It's fun but could've been so much better.
Critical Mass - 7 - Another fairly generic map. Decent intro but once you reach the inner facility things turn to the better. Very linear level though and not much to explore.
Derelict - 9 - Derelict is a ridiculously huge level which is so non-linear that getting lost is something you ought to do even when only taking a look at the hull of the huge boat. Still, despite being almost too big for my taste, it's a very fun level once you played through it a few times and get the hang of it. It's a difficult level surely but it's still doable if you have the patience.
The Queen - 10 - Arguably one of the least liked level in the episode due to its weird alien-like design and tough final battle. However, personally, I just love it. Everything looks the same true, especially because of its symmetrical design, but with the use of common sense it's actually a
very easy level.
Oh, Christ. Wall-o-text.
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