Hello everyone! Thank you very much for all your responses in the other topic, I really appreciate all of them!
And also many thanks to Quakis for continuing the DMOTM event and let's hope it's going to last a long time! Great choice for Bob Averill for this month as well and a great start for the 2025 Editions.
Not to mention that today is the 29th anniversary of Duke Nukem 3D: Full Version v1.3D! Happy birthday to the legendary game!
I am well aware of Bob Averill's maps, except for the Duketroid map that ck3D linked above, this came as a surprise, as I had no idea Bob released a map under a different name.
I remember playing BobSP maps back in 2010 or so for the first time and I liked them. I remember replaying them again once or twice in the following years, though I only did that in the EDuke32 source port.
The maps are all made for the Atomic Edition but only the first three (and the DM maps I guess) are compatable with the DOS version. Starting with BobSPX, source ports are required. According to the text file, BobSPX was made for JFDuke3D but it should work fine in EDuke32, while BobSP4 and Duketroid are strictly designed for EDuke32. HRP seems recommended but I think the maps are playable without it.
It's also worth mentioning that Bob's maps have no difficulty settings implemented, which means skills 1-3 are identical in terms of gameplay, so just pick Come Get Some for the intended experience.
A small note about BobSPX because apparently, it had a few different releases over the years. I learned many years ago that there are about four of them, mostly in regards to how the level finishes, with or without boss fight.
The original release, linked in the OP, has a game.con file included which alters two things:
1) Protector Drone uses the Enforcer's spit attack instead of shrink attack;
2) Mini Alien Queen drops the Blue Access Card upon dying and allows for escaping and finishing the level.
Other releases lack the game.con file and either remove the Mini Queen entirely (replacing her with the access card) or include the boss but ALSO an Access Card to allow escaping. More on that when the time comes for reviewing that map, since I need to do some more research beforehand, mostly in regards to the available versions.
And finally, I want to mention that BobSP series should also be already included in the EDuke32 Addon Compilation. I guess the mainline series can be played as an episode (with the option to keep the stuff between the levels) and the BobSPX version included in that package is a different one compared to the available releases.
BobSP Series are also available on Steam Workshop for both Duke Nukem 3D re-releases!
Megaton Edition:
https://steamcommuni...s/?id=227710775
World Tour:
https://steamcommuni.../?id=2952739769
Anyway, I decided to join for this month because I was in the mood for some Duke and what better time than to do this on Duke Nukem 3D's anniversary, no less!
Although, I had played the maps yesterday but the review is written today, so my point still stands. I did it with the usual settings: Duke Nukem 3D: Atomic Edition v1.5, CGS difficulty, all kills and secrets, keyboard only, DOSBox 0.74-3. Saves are allowed. This post only covers the first three levels, which are all DOS compatible: Bobsp1, BOBSP2, Bobsp3.
BobSP1: Foreboding
The first map is fairly short, lacks any enemies and secrets but it makes up with excellent visuals, including mapping tricks introduced all the way back in 1999. I always loved the feature of picking up random objects and using them as keys in various user maps, it always brings me a smile to the face.
Gameplay consists of pressing some buttons, shooting two switches with the pistol and using a keycard. Not much else to say, other than finishing the level sends you to Hollywood Holocaust, due to how the ending sectors worked in the original DOS version of the game.
Nice map overall.
BobSP2: Paranoia
This time, there are 35 enemies but still no secrets to find. The map is still fairly short and can take a few minutes to complete, although there are a few things to watch out for, such as random explosions that can hurt you, like the one near the beginning where you must kill a bunch of Enforcers coming through a wall.
Even with the resources provided, health can be a bit scarce at times, especially if you get hit by those damn explosions at various times. I was lucky I didn't die but I was down to 30 health by the end. Armor also definitely helped when it was given because without it, I would have ran out of health towards the end.
Ammo distribution is fine. I ended up mostly using the Chaingun because I got a few ammo drops early on, that I could use it mostly against everything, starting with the Battlelord ambush. There is also the Protozoid Slimer ambush but they can be killed with just the mighty foot. And then a couple more enemies appearing towards the exit and that's pretty much it.
Combat mostly consists against weaker monsters with a Mini Battlelord being included too. The map ended a bit sooner than I expected, as Duke exits upon stepping into the tram (which again, sends you to Hollywood Holocaust) but the experience was still nice in the end, with the various mapping effects being still impressive at times.
Puzzles are kept to a minimum, with the trickiest part being the one where you must swim and navigate in the acid. You are given the Protective Boots in advance and you must be quick because this is the toxic acid from The Birth, which drains your boots/health at an incredibly high rate!
Another nice map. Looking forward to the sequel!
BobSP3: Fuel For Vengeance
As soon as you begin, be sure to stand back to minimize the damage taken from explosions or else you will suffer and begin the map with less than half health. Luckily, one early secret helped a lot with the health, so it kept things mostly balanced for the rest of the map.
This time, in addition to the 60 enemies, there are two secrets to find! Make sure to find them before dropping down in the lava, since there is no way back! There are also a few unofficial secrets, some of which contain goodies such as Atomic Health and Protective Boots. And then one funny secret which contains cheese, which is nicely done in kind of a DukeCute way.
Just like the previous map, combat can be a bit cramped at times and there are times where you will be fighting against Sentry Drones and Assault Commanders in close quarters, so you must be careful to not take damage from the explosions. On top of that, there are hitscanners around the corners, so advance carefully! You are given plenty of ammo, especially for the Shotgun early on and later for the Chaingun and RPG. So if you don't mind shotgunning the Commanders, especially the ambush that features TWO of them at once, you should be fine with some patience.
There are a few puzzles to solve, mostly involving those button puzzles, which are actually three in a row, before you are able to take down the elevator into the mines.
Speaking of which, for completionists out there, this map features one or two points of no return. The first one can happen when you take down the elevator (in the cave where you get ambushed by the pair of Commanders) and then send it back up without riding it. You will be unable to call it back again, so if you need to get the two secrets and/or left some health above, you can't go back anymore! Hope you have an earlier saved game!
The second point of no return is found after dropping down in the lava. Be sure to get the hidden Atomic Health and Protective Boots in advance! And also watch out for that random explosion in the wall awaiting you down there!
The map culminates in some epic battles, involving hordes of aliens and a boss fight against the Battlelord! Just be wary of running forward as soon as you press the switch, as the Battlelord will be spawned directly behind you, which can result into instant death! Though luckily I didn't get instantly killed this time but still worth noting because it is possible to happen, if I remember correctly from past playthroughs.
The solution for this boss fight is rather simple. Upon pressing the switch, just go back to the platform from earlier which contained all that ammo and fire RPG at him! He will be unable to reach you and he is not too accurate at a distance, plus he mostly walks in place and becomes an easy target. Pump 30 or so rockets into him until he dies!
Secrets:
1) At the very beginning, take care of the aliens and then climb the rocks on the left side. You should reach the secret place containing an Atomic Health, a burning Duke and a hidden message.
2) Shortly afterwards, upon taking care of the Pig Cop Tank and entering the cave, press on the left wall to reveal a secret room containing 2x Small Medkit, Shotgun ammo and a hidden message.
Overall, this map was pretty nice. Although I don't think it would have hurt to have an armor pickup early in the level instead of relying on random drops from Pig Cops, as it is possible to not get any armor drops at all. At least you get a decent amount of health available, with Portable Medkit provided halfway through, as well as an Armor pickup and Atomic Healths towards the end.
So far, I had fun revisiting the maps and I am looking forward to play the next three SP maps soon. I might check the DM maps as well, at least for a quick mention/review of them in the next post.
Once again, Happy 29th Birthday to Duke Nukem 3D: Full Version v1.3D! Have a nice weekend everybody and have a nice Easter with your family!
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