But have we seen favorite and least favorite levels by episode? As in, the favorites and least favorites from each, including addons? (I mean, probably, but I haven't seen it yet...)
Explanations are nice but of course I can't force anything:
L.A. Meltdown
Favorite level: Hollywood Holocaust
Spoiler
Unoriginal choice is unoriginal, I know. But it's legit such a good level; a real good way to introduce the player to the game. Plus in a strange twist it just kinda lets you experience all the weapons and items of episode 1 straight away (before it steals them from you, so I guess it balances out.
Least favorite level: uh...Death Row because of that one secret that doesn't like to tag?
Spoiler
Yeah I uh...don't really think I have a level I dislike from this episode. I even enjoy Toxic Dump.
Lunar Apocalypse
Favorite level: Dead tie between Lunar Reactor and Dark Side
Spoiler
I will admit upfront "Aliens Say Your Prayers" is affecting my judgement. Good music really tends to affect how much I like certain things. That being said, I still think it's a great level; a trek through the (or a) residential quarters of the moonbase. I like the 4-way design and the way it sort of weaves in and out of itself, and blowing up the titular reactor itself is always a good time.
As for Dark Side, it's probably one of the most atmospheric levels in the whole game. It certainly is a marathon but as I thoroughly enjoy each of the three main sections, I don't really have anything to complain about. Plus, going out onto the lunar surface after spending the past two levels just kinda looking at it is an unparalleled feeling. I was kinda hoping they did more with it, kinda like what we got at the end of DNF's DLC.
As for Dark Side, it's probably one of the most atmospheric levels in the whole game. It certainly is a marathon but as I thoroughly enjoy each of the three main sections, I don't really have anything to complain about. Plus, going out onto the lunar surface after spending the past two levels just kinda looking at it is an unparalleled feeling. I was kinda hoping they did more with it, kinda like what we got at the end of DNF's DLC.
Least favorite level: Fusion Station
Spoiler
Another one with good atmosphere and the pillar-centered level design is great on paper, but man it went a bit crazy with the protector drones out there. 100%ing this level is kind of a nightmare because of those things and how often they tend to get confused while tracking you, forcing you to risk limited jetpack fuel to hunt them down.
Shrapnel City
Favorite Level: Hotel Hell
Spoiler
Another unoriginal pick. I'm sorry.
Least favorite level: Probably a tie between Farenheit and Freeway
Spoiler
This is another situation where I'm sort of struggling to pick something, but to be fair I do have some legitimate complaints with these two. Farenheit is stuffed a bit too tightly with sentry drones, an enemy type I always felt was a bit unbalanced with how tanky they were. Even with closing doors on them to make them explode behind a wall, it's still kind of annoying to deal with.
Freeway, meanwhile, is a bit stuffed with Battlelords and is a tiny bit of a slog to get through at certain, albeit few and short-lasting, points.
Freeway, meanwhile, is a bit stuffed with Battlelords and is a tiny bit of a slog to get through at certain, albeit few and short-lasting, points.
Duke it Out in D.C.
Favorite Level: Capitol Punishment
Spoiler
The first (and really only) level of DC that really sells the whole "capital overrun by aliens" thing, with the congressional building just being razed. Absolutely everything is blowing up at all times, most rooms are in ruin, and I love the way you can see the building on fire from when you first exit that alleyway. Level design is also top-notch in my opinion, with short but intense combat encounters within the enclosed spaces of the level.
Also, before the DC music pack v.2 came out, I always thought that the default song, Invader, far better suited this level than Movie Set.
Also, before the DC music pack v.2 came out, I always thought that the default song, Invader, far better suited this level than Movie Set.
Least favorite level: Probably Top Secret
Spoiler
People complain about Smithsonian Terror being a marathon, but for me, Top Secret always takes way longer. At least the Smtishonian's exhibits are unique and visually distinct. In Top Secret it's all the same military storage unit look. The level design itself is mostly decent,not anything amazing, but again it goes a bit crazy with those damn sentry drones. In close quarters, no less!
The level does improve a bit by the time you activate the time machine, but by then I'm already exhausted of the level. And when you return to the present there's still more level to go. And that ending area with three battlelords and a swarm of enemies in a rather small arena and you can't stand on a large portion of it...is a bit rough. I typically don't look forward to this level when I play DC. True, it's optional, and smart people would probably take that option. Unfortunately I'm a completionist so...
The level does improve a bit by the time you activate the time machine, but by then I'm already exhausted of the level. And when you return to the present there's still more level to go. And that ending area with three battlelords and a swarm of enemies in a rather small arena and you can't stand on a large portion of it...is a bit rough. I typically don't look forward to this level when I play DC. True, it's optional, and smart people would probably take that option. Unfortunately I'm a completionist so...
The Birth
Favorite Level: Duke-Burger
Spoiler
I'm surprised it took until the release of episode 4 for us to get a fast food level. It seems so obvious. The aesthetic and theme is great and they let you explore pretty much an entire restaurant, the tightly packed enemies I always found more fun to kill than troublesome, more stuff blowing up, and a song that is one of those that you don't tend to notice at first but will randomly find yourself humming outside the game.
Least favorite level: Babe Land
Spoiler
Even though I probably look less forward to a couple levels in episode 4 these days, really I just can't forgive the literal years it took me to actually beat this level without cheating. It has the single most obtuse key card I think I've ever played in any of these golden age shooters, one that you can't get just by wall-humping. If there's a hint, I never found it, even to this day. The rest of the level is otherwise fine, but that one key card brings down the level so far to the point I would probably call it the worst level in Duke 3D.
Plug N' Pray
Favorite Level: Gates Motel
Spoiler
I'm always a sucker for a halloween-y aesthetic and theme. Alien ghosts, zombie pig cops, it's all fun. It definitely has the Duke spirit of homages and references everywhere. Design-wise I also tend to enjoy this; it's a little confusing at first but it's honestly probably one of the more straightforward levels of this set.
Least favorite level: Nightmare Zone
Spoiler
Why does the first level begin in an area with limited ammo, tripbomb traps, mid-tier enemies, and a pit full of sentry drones? WHY?
Life's a Beach
Favorite Level: Carribbean Catastrophe
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I feel like this is another obvious pick, but I can't be sure. It's basically Hotel Hell 2.0, not just in theme but in also being one of the best and most tightly designed Duke levels period. The best part is I'm usually not a fan of the tropical theme but the level is just so damn fun to play I don't really care (same could be said for most of the levels in this pack, really).
Not related to the level at all, but I wanted to give a shout-out to "Doomsday's Comin'," the final level theme, for being one of my favorite songs in all of Dukedom. If I wasn't trying to be fair, "The Alien Remains" would be here instead of Catastrophe purely for the song alone.
Not related to the level at all, but I wanted to give a shout-out to "Doomsday's Comin'," the final level theme, for being one of my favorite songs in all of Dukedom. If I wasn't trying to be fair, "The Alien Remains" would be here instead of Catastrophe purely for the song alone.
Least Favorite Level: Lost Lagoon
Spoiler
Another one that was hard to pick. But for this one, the abundance of death pits kinda justifies it. I already don't like the tropical theme but I tend to like ancient ruins even less. Put them together and I'll sort of feel "meh" to begin with. Design-wise, in addition to the pits, there's also a fair bit of waiting, particularly in the middle. Wait for the very long and slow elevator, wait for the temple doors to open, wait for an opportunity to escape the trap...
To give it some credit though, the kind of tricks they pull off to simulate water levels changing and the day-night cycle are really impressive. That was some wizardry right there.
To give it some credit though, the kind of tricks they pull off to simulate water levels changing and the day-night cycle are really impressive. That was some wizardry right there.
Alien World Order
Favorite Level: High Times
Spoiler
Probably the most balanced pistol start level that puts you against tougher enemies. I never found it easy but never too tilted against me, either. The art for Amsterdam's streets is very pleasing to the eye (though I'm not sure if Amsterdam itself should get more credit or the artist), and the point lighting does give it a very nice aesthetic.
I'm not particularly a fan of the obvious joke they went with, but I'll admit I was kinda hoping for a good drug trip sequence. Unfortunately it didn't turn out as wild as I hoped. I get that even what we got was a bit much for the impetus, but I mean if you're going to do trippy, go all out I say.
The level design itself is otherwise really tight. And I enjoyed slaughtering troopers enmasse with the rocket launcher as they teleported in.
I'm not particularly a fan of the obvious joke they went with, but I'll admit I was kinda hoping for a good drug trip sequence. Unfortunately it didn't turn out as wild as I hoped. I get that even what we got was a bit much for the impetus, but I mean if you're going to do trippy, go all out I say.
The level design itself is otherwise really tight. And I enjoyed slaughtering troopers enmasse with the rocket launcher as they teleported in.
Least favorite level: Hollywood Inferno
Spoiler
Worst. Boss. Ever. Even ignoring the part where he's supposed to be a FINAL boss, as a REGULAR boss this guy is just pathetic. And this is coming after the Queen, who was a legitimately challenging fight and amazing sendoff to Duke 3D.
Outside the boss, the level itself isn't special. It's not bad, but again as a finale it's a joke. Personally the idea of a huge gauntlet level where you make your way through a large crowd of enemies to reach the end boss is extremely appealing to me (think Serious Sam's "The Grand Cathedral"). Unfortunately this crowd was not very thick and the Cycloid Sentries kind of hilariously kill themselves.
It's unfortunately a far cry from The Queen and even Derelict, both of which felt like finales. Even though Derelict wasn't. Out in the middle of nowhere, against the strongest opposition yet in fully alien-controlled territory, both levels were large... and I even like the way that Derelict begins with you outside the ship, fighting the last pig cops of the game. Since it doesn't make sense for them to show up later. It's subtle, and I like the pig cops as much as the next guy, but I always appreciated how their removal was sort of a signal saying "time to get serious."
And Inferno just...isn't any of that. If it were just a normal level I wouldn't think much of it. But since it tried to be a finale and failed so spectacularly (especially after the way The Birth concluded), it loses a lot of points.
Outside the boss, the level itself isn't special. It's not bad, but again as a finale it's a joke. Personally the idea of a huge gauntlet level where you make your way through a large crowd of enemies to reach the end boss is extremely appealing to me (think Serious Sam's "The Grand Cathedral"). Unfortunately this crowd was not very thick and the Cycloid Sentries kind of hilariously kill themselves.
It's unfortunately a far cry from The Queen and even Derelict, both of which felt like finales. Even though Derelict wasn't. Out in the middle of nowhere, against the strongest opposition yet in fully alien-controlled territory, both levels were large... and I even like the way that Derelict begins with you outside the ship, fighting the last pig cops of the game. Since it doesn't make sense for them to show up later. It's subtle, and I like the pig cops as much as the next guy, but I always appreciated how their removal was sort of a signal saying "time to get serious."
And Inferno just...isn't any of that. If it were just a normal level I wouldn't think much of it. But since it tried to be a finale and failed so spectacularly (especially after the way The Birth concluded), it loses a lot of points.
Nuclear Winter
Favorite Level: Santa's Corporate HQ
Spoiler
I really love the aesthetic of this level. Like, a lot. It's got a real cozy feeling to it. The fake floor reflection was neat, Santa's room was something straight out of a christmas special, the red carpet and wooden walls strangely compliment each other...
Play-wise it's mostly okay. Through screw the red key door for being so obtuse to find.
Also unrelated to the level but I have to give credit for Santa Claws himself. Probably my favorite boss of the entire game. Really challenging, frantic, and fun as hell. Basically fighting a Dukematch bot and it's great. Once again if I wasn't trying to be fair his level would take the spot just because he's in it.
Play-wise it's mostly okay. Through screw the red key door for being so obtuse to find.
Also unrelated to the level but I have to give credit for Santa Claws himself. Probably my favorite boss of the entire game. Really challenging, frantic, and fun as hell. Basically fighting a Dukematch bot and it's great. Once again if I wasn't trying to be fair his level would take the spot just because he's in it.
Least favorite level: The Backdoor
Spoiler
A sewer level filled with tripbomb traps everywhere. ...Yay.
And this is coming from someone who doesn't hate Nuclear Winter. And I still think this is one of the worst levels in all of Duke 3D
And this is coming from someone who doesn't hate Nuclear Winter. And I still think this is one of the worst levels in all of Duke 3D