MAP02: Sweetwater (Strife: Absolute Order)

MAP02: Sweetwater is the second map of Strife: Absolute Order and is the game's starting point. It was designed by Adam Woodmansey (Khorus) and uses his own custom music track, referred to internally as.

This level serves as a hub and connects with three other levels - MAP01: Slaughtered Workers, MAP04: The Lowest Pit, and MAP05: H2O.

Essentials
Starting out

Head forward out of the darkness and turn left. Go down the stairs ahead and turn left again. Look past the crates in front of you to see a building guarded by an acolyte. Break the window on the east side of the building and jump through it, then collect the mine key from on top of the bed.

Leave the building and return to the staircase you went down earlier. Look north to see a locked mine entrance; press the switch to unlock the bars, then step on the square platform to go to MAP01: Slaughtered Workers.

Second visit

After returning from Slaughtered Workers, head outside and turn right, then go forward down a narrow stone passage. You will reach a staircase leading down to a water pool; go into the pool and open the door to your left (which requires the brass key). Drop down the hole behind the door to go to MAP04: The Lowest Pit.

Third visit

After leaving The Lowest Pit, climb the stairs and press the switch on the east wall to open the door out of the room. Go through and you will find yourself back at the staircase leading to the water pool. Open the door on the north wall (requiring the ID badge) and destroy the crusader blocking the way. Follow the path behind it to find a door leading to MAP05: H2O.

Other points of interest
On the east side of the level you will find a medic and an armorer, who sell medical supplies and armor respectively. Climb the stairs in the medic's shop to find a med patch.

Secrets

 * 1) After opening the door requiring the ID badge (which leads to H2O), jump onto the railing on your left and then carefully jump to the brown rock ledge just above. From here, head west across the river below to a grassy area with a large torch, then follow the brick ledge south to find an accuracy upgrade. (sector 544)
 * 2) After getting the brass key from Slaughtered Workers, head to the far east of the level past the medic's shop to find a closed gun range. Head south down a dark alley and follow it to a locked door which you can open with the brass key. Head north, jump over the counter and head round to the front of the shop. (sector 545) You will find a crossbow and five assault rifles. (Do not shoot the targets in the range unless you want to alert nearby enemies.)

Bugs

 * The map contains a leftover visual mode camera (thing 2), which is used by Doom Builder. This does not affect gameplay as ZDoom-derived source ports silently ignore this actor.

Current records
The records for the map at the Doomed Speed Demos Archive are:

Things
This level contains the following numbers of things per skill level:

Trivia

 * Opposite the shops is a high gray wall. If you use a noclip cheat to get over this wall, you will find the words "GET OFF MY LAWN" printed on the floor, accompanied by a beggar and an assault gun.
 * At the top of the staircase near the center of the level is an impassable barrier. If you use a noclip cheat to get past this barrier you will find the word "CHEAT" written on the floor. (This area is accessed legitimately during MAP10: Null.)
 * Near the staircase is a switch that requires the Order Key to use, which is not found anywhere in the game. If you cheat to give yourself all the keys and then use the switch, you will find another switch behind it. Pressing this displays the message, "You dirty, stinking cheater!"