Ramp2025 Reviews Part IX
What, they did another RAMP thing in 2025?! Golly!!!
Index of my Ramp2025 reviews on Google Docs.
Blood and Sand by Marcus Aurelius
I actually played this one long before I went back and started the reviews, it's got some really excellent arenas (the repeated use of the imp-cage arena is solid). Even the difficulty isn't an issue for me. What's an issue is that there really isn't, even with the computer map, any way of figuring out what to do next. You're constantly backtracking across the whole map without seeming purpose. Either there should be more interconnection or more path-setting for the player or both. Other than that it's solid. 2.5/5
Dig Site by Strayce
A great theme; I particularly like how sturdy the techbase feels, with buttons and doors contained in frames. It makes for a strong visual differentiation between the techbase and the dig site itself. The end showdown is great, plenty of cover but not so much you can't get smacked a bit, with the megasphere a "high value" gamble. Instant great. 5/5
Nothing Beats an Ace by Cowrocks
This map teeters on the edge of greatness, but the sprawling layout means doubling back for supplies (necessary since some areas are health-starved and heavy with monsters) is time-consuming, and the ending fight, while well-tuned in terms of difficulty, is just a bit too tight to be fun. Not quite in the bullseye but awfully close. 4/5
Ritual! In the Server Room by Orca of Mordor
As much as I love the big showdown, and the option to escape before everyone is dead, the rest of the map just didn't have the same level of polish. Still, definitely worth the time. 4/5
Faded Darkness by Emercy
I pushed a button and killed some spectres. What next? I can't figure out how to progress. DNF.
Symetrica by Leiche
Beautiful, though the "second time through" remix had some pretty frustrating areas. It feels a little like a hat on a hat. Nevertheless, it's polished and engaging. 4/5
Facility Breach by Swifty487
Really nice, simple map, though there are some rough edges and loose ends that could be tied up or expanded. Feels like it's just ten degrees off a bullseye. 4/5
Security Breach by RileyXY1
Nice little copmpact starter map. By keeping space constrained, you add some challenges that beginners often don't, and which avoids many beginner mistakes. Unfortunately the monsters couldn't navigate it either; the pinkies got stuck on geometry even more than I did. 2.5/5
Intern's First Day by Hacksmerian
A great start. I missed the chainsaw room the first time through, which seems to have two levels of surprises, only one of which fully activates. Good use of monsters flanking doors. 3/5
Snowblind by Cafe Caboose
I must be some kind of dumb dumb because I'm completely out of ammo by the time I'm sealed in with the last boss, and you can't skip killing him. Great atmosphere though. 2.5/5
Crazy Paving by Surreily and Sonicmayne
Fast paced, banger soundtrack, extremely fast and exciting escalation in a polished, awesome-looking space. Though I'm not sure what the point of the button in the exit hallway is? 4.5/5
Vorscht Grune Lava! by Grizzly Young B (technical assistance from Grizzly Old B)
A unique father-son collaboration map, showing that an inexperienced person who isn't as brainwashed by Doom tropes as I am can provide some unique insights. The barrels just around a tight corner, the hidden supplies behind barrels, the marking of walls and the speed of elevators, all are different from the norm, which gives a cool, new feeling. The pain elemental placement alone should be studied by any great mapper. A great idea, more kids should get involved with mapping! 5/5