Machete
By A2Rob - 32 Maps
Format: Boom
[Download]
Started: May 2nd 2025
Finished: May 31st 2025
Status: Completed
(Played for the May 2025 DWmegawad Club, go take a look if you wanna see my individual thoughts on all the maps!)
While not filled to the brim with crazy custom content, Machete is a great wad with a few minor shortcomings. Level variety is extremely high, no two maps feel like they're retreading the same ideas, and even within the 3 themed episodes there's small variations to keep things fresh from start to finish, and even my least favorite map here is still only just meh rather than being horrible. Machete's focus on short 3-5 minute maps is both great and a bit of a letdown. It does mean that nothing overstays its welcome, and makes Machete a great wad to run through in a single sitting if you've got a few hours, but it also means that some levels feel like they're over before they even begin, and some concepts end up heavily underutilized. The two custom enemies are on opposite sides of the quality spectrum for me. I adore the evil marines, they're a lot of fun to fight, and the secret level dedicated to them is a treat to play, but the afrits are one of the worst custom enemies I've had to fight in doom. A flying baron that vomits out a shotgun spread of mancubus fireballs alongside a few homing revenant missiles is not something that needed to exist ever. They're way too overpowered (especially in tight spaces where if they get even one attack out you're basically guaranteed to die instantly) and have quite a lot of health on top of their high offensive capability. I think they're used just barely sparingly enough to not completely ruin things, but they definitely could have used some tweaking to feel a bit less unfair. Despite these problems Machete is still a very fantastic wad, and one I could easily recommend to almost anyone.
Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Favorite Map - Map 31: "Slayer!"
Least Favorite Map - Map 27: "Kingdom of Sorrow"