the abandoned workshops Posts

May 15, 2023 / Half Life
Author: Nathan Ruck Released: September 16th 2002

Introduction

Special Forces officer Captain Percy Freeman has been partnered up with Barney to track down and assassinate the renegade Colonel Kurtz. The situation soon takes a turn for the worst when higher ups in the chain of command decide they want Freeman dead. To make matters worse, someone out there has been breeding an undead army of mutants who are rampaging across the jungle causing problems for everyone. Whether completing the mission may lead to answers, it will be a struggle for survival to discover an end to this madness.

March 19, 2023 / Duke Nukem 3D
Author: Sanek Released: June 4th 2022

Introduction

Faces of Death was a mean spirited level that stacked the odds against players using Battlelords from start to finish. I remember playing that gauntlet without much fondness, no thanks to its counterpart from the Playstation port of Duke3D, having been included as a secret level during its fourth episode. BATTLEDUKE is an episode inspired by this particular scenario, dedicating several maps to follow in its style, one which that hasn’t been explored much within the mapping scene.

November 20, 2022 / Duke Nukem 3D
Author: Pascal Rouaud Released: December 20th 2003

Introduction

After wrapping up business, an enormous explosion sends shock waves across the district as an alien spacecraft crashes down, destroying the very streets Duke had not long ventured. Now they’re violating local parking laws and it’s about time he delivers a ticket to them personally. Take one last lap around an urban landscape in this closing entry for the ROCH series, discover how to gain access onboard that vessel and bring the fight back to them.

November 20, 2022 / Duke Nukem 3D
Author: Pascal Rouaud Released: June 20th 2002

Introduction

After breaking free and taking a much needed dip in the local swimming pool, Duke finds open traversal while completing this leg of the journey, which appears to be the heart of ROCH’s metropolis adventure. Taking place within a densely packed shopping district, Pascal continues edging his aesthetic and style ever closer toward realism, creating another authentic looking urban playground that etches a special place in the mapping scene for those who have imitated, adapted and learned from in the years beyond its initial release.

November 20, 2022 / Duke Nukem 3D
Author: Pascal Rouaud Released: October 2nd 2001

Introduction

With all this rushing around town working up a sweat, perhaps it’s time for a dip at the local swimming centre to cool off. Duke stumbles into an EDF laboratory under siege and test subjects released from incubation. Now every exit leading outside is under lockdown, escape is denied and the aliens definitely have something to do with it. The only option is to push forward until an opportunity reveals itself.

November 20, 2022 / Duke Nukem 3D
Author: Pascal Rouaud Released: March 20th 2001

Introduction

Beyond the back gate of an old castle, Duke leaves behind his fancy grand prize to continue a tour of France and now finds himself striding toward an older, more industrious district. Tasked with taking down local hostilities, he must once again seek out key cards in anticipation that one path might take him a step closer toward the heart of the city. Business as usual around these parts, but at least take some time to enjoy the sights.

July 21, 2021 / Duke Nukem 3D
Author: Pascal Rouaud Released: September 11th 2000

Introduction

Duke finds himself waltzing onto a TV Studio set and taking part in its live Game Show. The grand prize is a once in a life opportunity to stay inside a local castle and to win he must gather six keys scattered around town and bring them all back in one piece.

July 13, 2021 / Duke Nukem 3D
Author: Pascal Rouaud Released: May 26th 2000

Introduction

Intended as a branch off from ROCH3 if the episodic release ever came to fruition, ROCH’s secret level takes Duke to the sea side for an evening respite. Those alien maggots aren’t having any of it though, disrupting his ride on the bumper cars by playing a little too rough. Time to put them in their place.

July 10, 2021 / Duke Nukem 3D
Author: Pascal Rouaud Released: April 20th 2000

Introduction

In many ways ROCH3 could easily be considered a second half to its prequel as it wouldn’t feel out of place should the two levels be merged into one single experience, so much so that most of my thoughts regarding combat from ROCH2 still apply here.

June 19, 2021 / Duke Nukem 3D
Author: Pascal Rouaud Released: January 2nd 2000

Introduction

The second level for the ROCH series resumes from where we were left previously, on route to a warehouse by elevator that provides access into another district of town. Here Pascal decides to considerably tone down level scale, instead creating a more focused playing field that continues ROCH1’s earlier attempts at experimenting with ideas that may or may not work out for future levels to come.