Doom 64 Ascension

Doom 64 Ascension

Authors	AtomicFrog
Port	Vanilla Doom 64
IWAD	Doom 64
Year	2022
Link	Doomworld forums thread
	This mod received an honorable mention at the 2023 Cacowards on Doomworld!

Doom 64 Ascension (also known as Doom 64 Reloaded or Doom 64 RR) is a megawad for the Doom 64 re-release, created by AtomicFrog, and originally released on June 28, 2022 (with earlier beta versions running on Doom64 EX). The project strives to show what Doom 64 could have looked like on the Nintendo 64 if it had not been restricted to an 8meg cart, as AtomicFrog estimates Doom 64 Ascension would need a 50meg cart instead. No additional lighting filters are used, to ensure it utilizes everything the original engine could have shown on the N64. The mod features all of the levels from the original game, but greatly reworked in their aesthetic and detail, sometimes offering very different themes, though sticking very close to the original layouts and gameplay, with only minor additions and changes, such as the occasional extra secret in some maps, or additional rooms and monsters.

Doom 64 Ascension features some additional lew levels (9 extra campaign levels, plus 4 new challenge levels). It also features a great amount of reworked sprites and textures, alongside improved lighting and geometry in the maps. Furthermore, the soundtrack has been enhanced with some reworked tracks as well as with the inclusion of brand new ones.

Doom 64 Ascension received an honorable mention at the Cacowards in 2023.

Story[edit]

The story for Ascension is a reworking of the original Doom64 story. Which was rather vague.

After the events of previous Dooms the UAC discovered a strange energy signature coming from below the surface of Phobos. They set up base Omega around the area and began excavations of the site. After tunnelling several kilometres below the surface they discovered the source of the signal. It was another portal of unknown alien construction. Exactly how old the portal was, was unclear. Nor why it was sealed within a chamber with no discernible entrance. It was if it had been entombed.

A short while after, expedition teams was sent through the portal. Only a few of the hundred or so men returned. They had brought with them two anomalous objects. The first was a large Obelisk that pulsed a deep red unnatural glow. The strange ungodly power it emitted cracked and distorted the very ground it stood on. The second seemed to be a weapon of some kind. A weapon constructed of flesh and bone.

The Red Artifact, secured within the map Crisis.

Further investigations lead to the discovery of the Red Artefact within the Obelisk.

Information as to the results of other research and testing on these three object was lost during the following events....

At some point there was an unexpected power surge from the Red Artefact. Weather this was the result of tests being carried out upon it, or it was done purposely by something from across the portal is unclear. What is known, is that the power surge knocked out all the generators. This caused the containment fields around the Portal to shut down. Then the invasion happened. A countless hoard of hell spawn spewed forth from the portal. An unstoppable wave of hell's fury flooded the base consuming level after level until it reached the surface, taking all in its wake.

With the base lost, as a final attempt to push the demons back, the UAC activated the emergency 'Gamma Sterilisation' of all levels. In effect, leaving the entire site dead in a nuclear haze. However, their victory was short lived. As from across the void something was able to reach out, its powers amplified by the Red Artefact, bringing the demons, and the human corpses back to life.

.... Now enters DoomGuy.

Content[edit]

Doom64 Reloaded poster

Levels[edit]

Campaign Maps

Intro
Staging Area
Hectic (secret map, accessed from Staging Area)
Terrorformer
Main Engineering
Holding Area

Outpost Omega (secret map, accessed from Holding Area)
Crisis (secret map, accessed from Outpost Omega)
Panic (secret map, accessed from Crisis)
Tech Centre
Nukage Facility
Alpha Quadrant

Research Labs
Final Outpost

Even Simpler
The Bleeding
Terrorcore

Altar Of Pain
The Lair (secret map, accessed from Altar of Pain)
Dark Citadel
Eye Of The Storm
Dark Entries

Blood Keep
The Marshes (secret map, accessed from Blood Keep)
Watch Your Step
Shadows Watching
Spawned Fear
In The Void (secret map, accessed from Spawned Fear)

Forbidden Deeper (secret map, accessed from In The Void)
The Spiral
Breakdown
Club Doom (secret map, accessed from Breakdown)
Pitfalls
Evil Intent (secret map, accessed from Evil Intent)
Burnt Offerings
Unholy Temple
The Catacombs
No Escape

Absolution
Ascension

Death Run Maps

The Death Run consists of four small arena style maps. Designed as a worthy challenge for the average player, and a speed run challenge for those of higher skill.