As promised in the March 31st edition of the Old Stuff Chronicles, here is yet another 'lost' classic by Jim McColm...a classic which is, as boasted, superior in every way to the previously featured Legion Down Under (link). Castle of Blood was authored in early 1995 and is a curious little level replacing DOOM's E1M1. I use the term 'curious' because, quite simply, I cannot understand how such a level as wonderful as this could have remained undiscovered and lost until this point in time. Blood, texturally comparable to Tim Willits' E4M5 from Ultimate DOOM, is a non-linear, expansive and shifting environment set to a GSTONE theme. Those of you disappointed by id's original Episode Three will love this map because Castle of Blood is what DOOM's E3 should have been -- creative, brilliant, and a pleasure to play. Castle of Blood is a true masterpiece and it is my pleasure to share it with all of you. Enjoy.

Hellbent Email Homepage Reply to this post "Hmm..." posted Tuesday Apr 10 20:44:02 2001 They don't call you King Ling for nothing. Let the Legacy Live - -

Enjay Email Homepage Reply to this post "Blue key" posted Monday Apr 09 15:50:51 2001 For me, it was only the blue key that caused a problem, and it's the first one you need to get, so at that point, you don't know which key you need first. The reason I didn't easily spot how to get it was the switch that gives you access to the area with the blue key platform switch is only visible when the lift it is beside is down. Meek

Law Email Homepage Reply to this post "Not bad at all" posted Monday Apr 09 15:00:55 2001 No way the best. I think the only reason some people can't find the keys is because some small elevators don't stand out, they just have the metal texture on them and not a switch. {I can't break the Law, I AM THE LAW!}

cocoon Email Homepage Reply to this post "geekmarine" posted Monday Apr 09 13:11:49 2001 I'm the same :D I suck at puzzles and I didn't get one key on my first try hehe. Good map though even not quite the best doom wad ever...

Linguica Email Homepage Reply to this post "" posted Monday Apr 09 12:24:23 2001 I managed to beat the level the first time through without too much trouble. The key puzzles aren't too difficult... King Ling

Hellbent Email Homepage Reply to this post "Where the keys are at" posted Monday Apr 09 10:30:07 2001 The blue key, which is the first one you need to get, is in the blood pools as you prolly know. There is a switch somewhere in the blood pools not far from where the key is. You need to find the switch. I think it might be at the far end of the blood pools. But it is in that area of the level. It might be revealed when you lower one of the lifts in that part of the level. Let me know if you need more help or if you find it. Let the Legacy Live - -

geekmarine Email Homepage Reply to this post "Awesome" posted Monday Apr 09 06:00:12 2001 I loved that level, except, I CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THE STUPID KEYS!!! ARGH1!!!!!!!! Oh well, I've always been an idiot when it comes to puzzle-solving, secret-finding, or anything else that requires anything remotely similar to thinking. Could anyone give me a hint as to how to get the keys? I don't want a complete walkthrough or anything, just a hint to help me figure it out. This is extremely frustrating. I can't even take it out on any monsters because I've killed on the ones in the part I am stuck in, the only other monsters are behind key doors. It makes me want to smash my computer, or at least load a very nasty virus into it. Who says video games don't cause violence? First post.

Hellbent Email Homepage Reply to this post "A conversation" posted Sunday Apr 08 14:41:10 2001 schmolze: so how do you get the blue key? Chesterules: =] Chesterules: everyone's asking that question Chesterules: don't remember Chesterules: but it's near the blue key Chesterules: so you don't have to go far Chesterules: far end of the blood pools maybe Chesterules: what do you think of the "architexture" and atmosphere? schmolze: hmm schmolze: I dunno schmolze: pretty chaotic Chesterules: you don't like? Chesterules: I think it ruleth schmolze: I'm trying to decide schmolze: it just seems to pursue the "lots of intricate, random architecture" strategy Chesterules: oh Chesterules: you're the first to say that. Chesterules: everyone else digs it. schmolze: I guess it was pretty good schmolze: also, I didn't finish Chesterules: yes, keep playing Chesterules: actually - if you didn't like it up to this point - don't bother Chesterules: it doesn't get much better than the beginning schmolze: I thought it was too cramped also Chesterules: hmm schmolze: I dunno schmolze: what do you like about it? Chesterules: I like the beginning room a lot. Chesterules: where the two doors are facing each other Chesterules: I just like the architexture and atmoshpere. A very distinct, yet e3 feel. and I think the level flows nicely. schmolze: there wasn't any lighting either Chesterules: true schmolze: as far as I could see schmolze: I thought it was "cool", but not really well done Chesterules: huh. Chesterules: well, you should play it through. schmolze: yeah, I will Let the Legacy Live - -

mantra_ Email Homepage Reply to this post "er" posted Sunday Apr 08 12:14:44 2001 -the :D

mantra_ Email Homepage Reply to this post "wow" posted Sunday Apr 08 12:14:05 2001 This is the perfect non-linearity.

Enjay Email Homepage Reply to this post "Yeah" posted Sunday Apr 08 08:01:45 2001 This really is a good level. It has and old, pre source port and extreme detail look to it, but it is very nice. I don't remember coming across many (any?) maps this good around the time this was first released. The only thing that stumped me for a while was how to get the blue key. I only stumbled on to how to do it by accident. Some of the other puzzles were quite taxing, but I didn't have to rely on luck to solve them. A really nice level. Meek

Hellbent Email Homepage Reply to this post "True Doomness" posted Saturday Apr 07 22:43:09 2001 I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's the best wad ever. The beginning especially is just so cool. And how all the different rooms connect. What a masterpiece. Damn, can't say enough. Wish I could pull something like that off. Every part of the level was cool. Too often is the case where parts of a level are good and other parts just don't quite cut it. This --ahh, I won't blab on and on. Let's just say this level was perfect in every aspect. Let the Legacy Live - -

Aardappel Email Homepage Reply to this post "played this ages ago" posted Saturday Apr 07 18:26:53 2001 It was handed to me by a quake friend who claimed this was the best doom wad ever, so I had to try. It is indeed very good, I especially loved the changing scenery (something which is so easy in the doom engine, it should be used more often). Had a very hard time getting all the keys though, but that's probably because I am thick. b0o!

Mordeth Email Homepage Reply to this post "sorry" posted Saturday Apr 07 09:30:49 2001 This morning I moved the level to a more appropriate subdir here on Doomworld, during which my connection died for several hours. It's all been fixed now, so download and enjoy this little gem.

Kojak Email Homepage Reply to this post "ERROR" posted Saturday Apr 07 09:10:53 2001 I got the same error also. If anyone has managed to download it like Tarin says he did, see if you can get permission to post it on cdrom.com. Or see if the author will.

Ebola Email Homepage Reply to this post "" posted Saturday Apr 07 08:40:00 2001 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGH Ni'mRoD - Ixnay on the Hombre

Enjay Email Homepage Reply to this post "Alternatives?" posted Saturday Apr 07 08:26:39 2001 Yeah, I'm getting the message too. After such a build up, I've got to play this level. Any alternative links? Meek

Law Email Homepage Reply to this post "Grr" posted Saturday Apr 07 08:23:21 2001 Got the message. BOOOOOO {I can't break the Law, I AM THE LAW!}

Captain Napalm Email Homepage Reply to this post "Please help us!" posted Saturday Apr 07 07:34:21 2001 3DDownload sez: "Sorry this file no longer exists. You must be too dumb to type an address correctly! Bwahahahaha! What a moron! You know everyone hates you, including but not limited to your parents and so called friends. We hope you die a slow painful death!" Well maybe no exactly those words, btu something along the line. In my day we played Doom without 3D-floors and WE LIKED IT!

MSquid Email Homepage Reply to this post "= o" posted Saturday Apr 07 07:10:08 2001 Excellent! Ack.

Tarin Email Homepage Reply to this post "" posted Saturday Apr 07 06:38:47 2001 I downloaded it this morning ACS || /me it up

TheProphet Email Homepage Reply to this post "ERROR - ERROR - ERROR" posted Saturday Apr 07 05:57:13 2001 3DDownloads says: This file no longer exists Heros live long, but legends never die