Kukuku (KUKUKU.WAD)

KUKUKU

by "Memfis"

2012 wasn't as big a year for Memfis as the previous one as far as solo releases went but he did manage to squeeze out a few. Kukuku is the second of his uploads from 2012. It's a single level for the original Doom which is technically similar to the previous Beware of False Prophets. The latter is an enormous E4-style map, though, where this E1M1 replacement is better-primed to kick off a more or less traditional Knee Deep in the Dead episode. The title actually has a citation this time and is explicitly mentioned as being the catchphrase of a thirteen-year-old anime girl. I doubt whether it directly informed the construction of the level.

Like Memfis's previous maps, there is no attempt at establishing a pretense for the action. It simply is. What it is not is long. This is a very short level and clocks in at a scant 21 monsters. All but one of them are troopers, shotgun guys, and imps. The sole exception is a demon and it might be party to the most challenging encounter setup since I almost got pincered by it and the imp-in-wait. Its only real competition is a toxic channel, which divides the north and south sides of the inner yard. It's a 20% damage floor and will probably cut a number of carefree explorers down during the initial investigation period. Provided, of course, that you don't take the alternate route and wind up right next to the secret enviro suit closet.

The resource balance is, per Memfis standard, austere. It doesn't invite a lot of difficulty though since most of the monsters are easy to handle with the pistol. The incidental combat isn't particularly threatening since the shotgun guys don't get a whole lot of cheap shot opportunities. The layout, excepting the toxic sluice, is unusually flat. There are a couple of subtle step changes in the main playing area between normal floor and blue carpet but that's it. The end result is kind of static but the level is over quickly. You might not even have time to notice. At least, I didn't really think about it until I started to write.

There just isn't a lot to say for or against Kukuku. If you like "Hangar"-length affairs or can't imagine playing anything apart from E1-style maps then it might supercharge you. On the other hand it could let you down if you're expecting something like Romero's more dynamic architecture style. I'd be hard-pressed to say that it isn't worth what little time it would occupy.

KU-KU-KULIO