Custom episode made for Duke Nukem 3D. It will require Eduke to run due to using the expanded limits. Explore and conquer 5 massively epic maps. Filled with intense battles, destructive earthquakes, plenty of secrets and easter eggs, a post-apocalyptic atmosphere and a story that actually progresses from map to map. Also contains a custom soundtrack especially written and recorded for this episode by myself (mixed by my brother Maarten) How to play: To play this episode, extract this zip.file into a folder containing both an installation of Eduke and a Duke3d.GRP Run Eduke.exe and select 'Shaky Grounds' from the 'Custom game content directory' list.
Fantastic new level design. Its got enough action to satisfy any hardcore Duke fan!
I just tried posting a lengthy review only to then get notified that 'the explain yourself field can not contain more than 5000 characters in length' - ironically, that is pretty representative of how the scope of base Duke Nukem 3D can just about withstand the abundance of genuine creativity in this amazing episode by Merlijn. More than just entertainment, Shaky Grounds is a full on audiovisual experience for one to absorb, comprising unique level design that is the signature of 20+ years as one of the most pioneering authors of the Duke 3D community and a matching homemade soundtrack that extends the mood as deeply as into your ears which only makes sense when the same author also happens to be a musician. And mood it does have, constantly alternating between accessible, interactive, spectacular explosive sequences and combat and gloomier, darker undertones, a duality that is constant throughout as if dictated by an omnipresent, ticking, sentient internal metronome. One that would so finely orchestrate everything, Shaky Grounds might as well qualify as a Build engine opera.
Do not sleep on the rest of Merlijn's works. Be sure to check out the classic user map series, Red (1-5) by him, which changed Build mapping forever (and predicted DooM 3) not just as a curiosity but as another experience that still holds up; as well as the Imperium episode (especially if you like Dan Gaskill's DukePlus).
Shaky Grounds is a fantastic Duke3D episode. It had it all. Humongous and detailed levels with massive destructive set pieces, numerous amusing references and parodies, and legions of alien bastards to mow down. More than that, it even has a nice little character plot running through its core.
The levels might be enormous to a fault, and the framerate certainly dipped when looking out across some of the more active vistas.
In spite of that, this is a challenging map pack and kept me hooked for literal hours. Check this one out as soon as you possibly can!
Perfect levels perfect design perfect gameplay...
Giant amazing levels well worth playing.
Fantastic effects and lots of cool surprises too.
I wanted to kill more monsters, guess the limitations of the engine. Everything else is dope.
Amazing episode! The quality of the levels and detail must have taken quite some time. This is a must play for any Duke fan out there. What are you waiting for? Christmas?
Get Shaky Grounds!
Easily the best series of maps I've ever played in any FPS, let alone Duke 3D. Genuinely amazing. Fun from start to finish. Great music, fantastic level design and plenty of challenge. Duke doesn't get better than this.
Outstanding work
Holy mother of....what an episode!
visually spectacular