Comprising of half of what would be known as "Final Doom," "The Plutonia Experiment" was created in 1996 by Dario and Milo Casali (the former being most known for his contributions to Half-Life). Their goal was to make the most challenging Doom wad ever created for Doom veterans who were bored with the base games of Doom and Doom II, and while I do think they succeeded on that front, I still think some of the maps go overboard making it feel impossible at some points. There are some specific maps I would like to talk about.
Most Iconic Map
MAP11: Hunted
The iconic Arch-vile maze accompanied by the endoom "Bunny" music is just quintessential Plutionia. I remember having nightmares of this map after finishing it the first time on just I'm Too Young To Die. Playing it on a higher difficulty this time around, and surprisingly it wasn't that hard. Not as punishing as some other maps that's for sure.
Worst Map
MAP16: The Omen
I was contemplating either putting this or Map 15: The Twilight as the worst map, but the more I think about this one the more it pisses me off. You have to beat it a specific way, or it becomes impossible, making it a really restrictive experience. I'm sorry, I enjoy maps that provide multiple paths for you to choose to beat it and this wasn't cutting it.
Best Map
MAP26: Bunker
One of the more brutal maps of the megawad, but one I grew to appreciate the map design after completing the game. The way the map loops around itself to make it feel more layered is a real nice touch.
While it does seem to fall into the rut that most megawads do of losing steam around the third act, and some of the levels get really frustrating at times, I would really call this a bad wad at all. Some of the levels are really fun and challenging. While I was actively frustrated during playing through the wad, afterwards I could really appreciate what they were going for gameplay and mapwise.
Most Iconic Map
MAP11: Hunted
The iconic Arch-vile maze accompanied by the endoom "Bunny" music is just quintessential Plutionia. I remember having nightmares of this map after finishing it the first time on just I'm Too Young To Die. Playing it on a higher difficulty this time around, and surprisingly it wasn't that hard. Not as punishing as some other maps that's for sure.
Worst Map
MAP16: The Omen
I was contemplating either putting this or Map 15: The Twilight as the worst map, but the more I think about this one the more it pisses me off. You have to beat it a specific way, or it becomes impossible, making it a really restrictive experience. I'm sorry, I enjoy maps that provide multiple paths for you to choose to beat it and this wasn't cutting it.
Best Map
MAP26: Bunker
One of the more brutal maps of the megawad, but one I grew to appreciate the map design after completing the game. The way the map loops around itself to make it feel more layered is a real nice touch.
While it does seem to fall into the rut that most megawads do of losing steam around the third act, and some of the levels get really frustrating at times, I would really call this a bad wad at all. Some of the levels are really fun and challenging. While I was actively frustrated during playing through the wad, afterwards I could really appreciate what they were going for gameplay and mapwise.