Have you ever wondered what a Deathmatch Doom II map would look like in Quake 3? Dead Simple aka MAP07 by CUTTER gives you a very detailed answer to this question.

The release is a remake of the classic Multi-player version of Doom 2's Dead Simple (map 07) - also called D5M7 / REAL7.WAD from the DWANGO5 compilation of WADs from the DWANGO (Dial Up Wide Area Network Games Operation, originally Doom Wide-Area Network Game Organization) Deathmatch server. It was created in 1994 by Robert 'dwangobob' Huntley and Kee Kimbrell with the first version made available with the shareware of Raven Software's Heretic. Despite being fee-based, DWANGO did not wait long to become successful and was considered the staple of the multi-player Doom community back in the 1990s.

When it comes to D5M7, the level was used for Doom 2's 1v1s on the official id Software's and ZeniMax Media's QuakeCon ceremonies even in the later years, like 2013 or 2019, with the QuakeCon 2019 even featuring the so-called DoomCon due to the large number of Doom games (including Doom 64) being hosted during the event. Several Quake Live matches were also held at the ceremony.

In addition to the high status, REAL7.WAD also features an exit, which is something that was more common for Deatchmatch levels in Classic Doom back in the day. Logically, so does the map that we have right here, with the change of the original Shotgun and Super Shotgun being replaced with the BFG10K and two boxes with the ammunition for it. Because of the fact that the level's layout involves a smaller size of the entire arena, the BFG becomes the dominant weapon on MAP07, although there are many (four) other weapons that are present in the outside area as well, same goes for the ammo and health points (two 50x Medkits).

The inside area from the original Dead Simple is present as well, the large boxes are already lowered down and the gates in between the walls are opened, so basically the layout of MAP07 is identical to that of D5M7. It is even safe to say that these are three different versions of the same level. However, unlike the original and its multi-player companion in Doom 2, here you can not interact with any of the switches or buttons, including the eye cube, the latter would have made you exit the map. On the other hand, you do not have to worry about the big bad boys and persistent cyber spiders — mancubi and arachnotrons, - you will not find any of them here. Unless you have the custom arachnotron bot, of course - it is always a lot of fun to have some Deathmatch series with a couple of arachnotrons, cacodemons (there is also a custom cacodemon bot by Lee David Ash) and Doomguy! And oh yes, this map is indeed one of those that make you appreciate the fact that Quake 3 has a Doomguy model even more!

Among other good news, this version of Dead Simple is very generous with weapons, ammo and special items. Besides two Rocket Launchers, a Lightning Gun, a PlasmaGun, the BFG10K, a lot of ammunition and health in the outside area, the map also provides you with a Rocket Launcher, a Lightning Gun, a PlasmaGun, a Shotgun (the only one on the level), an outstanding amount of ammo (mostly rockets), four (!) Invisibility power-ups - one in each corner, a Personal Teleporter, a syringe Medkit, a MegaHealth and a Combat Armour in the inside zone. That is truly a lot of useful items, indeed! By the way, in case you would like to jump onto the eye cube (well, for whatever reason), there is no more need to noclip to do so - you can use a plasma-, rocket- or BFG-jump and feel like the king of the hill!

The recommended game types are Free For All and Tournament and, in my opinion, the level is more fun in the FFA mode, even though REAL7.WAD has a long history of having been used for duels. I think the reason is because MAP07 stays true to the original scale and does not necessarily adapt it to idTech 3's physics. Regardless, to me both game types are enjoyable on this map, and there is always a significant competition for the four Invisibility power-ups. The latter is one of the reasons why I agree with the author about 3 players being the optimal player load for one match - this way the game does not get too cramped on this already small arena. Well, gamer, "you have entered deeply into the infested starport, but something is wrong": the vadrigars are using this area for their evil gladiator fights!

In conclusion, it is a gorgeous remake of Dead Simple, this one is my favourite by far! The map recreates the legendary atmosphere very well and gives you that opportunity to experience a Classic Doom level in Quake 3 Arena!

Reviewed by Geniraul

Note: There are 6 other versions of Dead Simple on ..::LvL.