Beta Labs 1.0

DOOM is one of the oldest FPSes in existence, and its engine is famously so robust that it can run on pretty much anything and also create pretty much anything.  From FPSes to RPGs to companions to a city living game, it has a ton of different mods and maps that can all do different things. One of the many is Beta Labs.

To install Beta Labs, you need to have ZDoom and move the WAD file into the GZDoom folder, which is pretty par for the course for DOOM maps.

There's no story of this game, though there can be a loose narrative if you interpret the maps in certain ways.  There's a massive difficulty gap compared to other reproductions of episode one. For instance, there are a lot less health and ammo lying around and the gameplay is more claustrophobic than the original, with plenty of moments where enemies are rushing you while your back is already pushed up in a corner and a ton of teleport ambushes. These are some of the hardest levels around.

Not only that, though, but a lot of the old health and armor bonuses are replaced with specters and skullchests, which makes it feel completely different. It's amazing that powerup replacements can change the feel of a level this much.

Overall, Beta Labs is one of the more interesting map packs around. If you are a massive DOOM fan and have gotten tired of the old formula, you should definitely take a look at this.