"Happy Time Circus"

circus666.wad

Author(s):

Shitbag

Year of release:

2005

Map(s):

01

Engine:

ZDoom

Date of review:

05/31/2008

Overall rating:

-unrated-

It's hard to rate this map.
First of all, it's exceptional and psychedelic. It started as one of the most creepy wads I've played, walking on a deserted, dark street and approaching a nocturnal circus. It has a great sound ambience and a gloomy atmosphere.
Entering the circus, the horror began. Coloured, flashing lights everywhere, monster sounds and voices all around you. It's like a nightmare, maybe comparable to void.wad, but playable.
But the longer you play this map, the more annoying it gets. Waves of jumping, super-small skulls are all around you and some floating, very hard ennemies that I couldn't identify. The map has more than 1,600 monsters (on skill 3) and by far too few ammo. I had to give me ammo and health constantly, and finally quit, because I was afraid, this could go on for ages.
The idea is cool and well done and could have deserved 5 stars, but the map should have been much smaller or easier in my opinion. With this size and difficulty, it's too frustrating.