Blast Radius v.4.0.X release ft. "Shrapnel City 2096: Trapped In The Future!" new user map news

Blast Radius v. 4.0.X is out and presents "Shrapnel City 2096: Trapped In The Future!", a new user map which, similarly to "L.A. Meltdown 2047", reinterprets all of the classic episode three of Duke Nukem 3D: "Shrapnel City" by Richard 'Levelord' Gray & Allen H. Blum III in just one level.

In v. 4.0.0, released a few days earlier this week, the new level was introduced as selectable from the fourth episode slot "Shrapnel City 2096", bumping the level count of the add-on to 23 (and the total file count to 319).

Level music: "Blade Runner (End Titles)" by Vangelis (MIDI version).

Blast Radius v. 4.0.1, released just now, updates both endings of "L.A. Meltdown 2047" & "Shrapnel City 2096" with exclusive, new Battlelord and Cycloid Emperor variants. (The vanilla versions of the levels will be preserved as standalone downloads here & here to allow for their potential use in other ports than EDuke32.)

DOWNLOAD Blast Radius v. 4.0.1 here (319 files, 23 levels)

DOWNLOAD "Shrapnel City 2096: Trapped In The Future!" (vanilla) here (4 files, 1 level)

Since most release notes on this page (as well as some of the manual) clearly are a bit outdated, here's a short recap about the add-on in its current state.

What is Blast Radius?

The original, main new Blast Radius campaign is a complete, full game-length (20+ hours) fan add-on for the Apogee/3D Realms classic 1996 FPS Duke Nukem 3D, by ck3d. Duke's new adventure starts as his skycar crashes over Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles then will take him around the world and beyond.

A personal love letter to the original games in the franchise, it has been described by several as an "emotional ride" and will require one's complete engagement to beat, only to reflect it back at them.

15 maps (including 2 secret levels), 40+ new types of alien scum and the challenge of a lifetime. Exclusive soundtrack, some extra Duke Talk. Every level SP/Coop/DM compatible, speedrunning friendly; plus each map has its own dedicated page here in the Articles section of the ModDB (contains spoilers).

Complete video walkthrough by Radar here.

What is Zero Zone?

Zero Zone is planned to be the continuation of Duke Nukem's trip after the end game events of Blast Radius.

Its development currently is on hold, but a six-level demo exists that was included as soon as Blast Radius v. 2.0.x that is traversable for the entirety of what it currently is. In contrast with the level design in Blast Radius, the maps are more confined and shorter, but packed with even crazier action courtesy of 30+ new additions to the monster roster.

Due to its current state, not much about Zero Zone is documented and some of its experience may be a little rough around the edges but still, the six levels should take one about two or three hours to traverse. Completing the former episode first (for context and the learning curve) isn't mandatory but maybe recommended.

6-map demo, every level SP/Coop/DM compatible, speedrunning friendly.

Complete video walkthrough by Radar here.

How do I play?

Magnificently, for sure. For a clean install:

- Own a copy of the 1996 game Duke Nukem 3D (v. 1.4+) by Apogee/3D Realms;
- Visit eduke32.com and download the source port for modern hardware: EDuke32;
- Unzip the contents of the EDuke32 archive into a fresh folder;
- Copy your DUKE3D.GRP original game file into that same folder;
- Download Blast Radius/DN3DBR.rar and unzip its contents into that same folder;
- Launch eduke32.exe.

Most observable/possible conflicts and bugs around the add-on that used to be reported around release time have been solved by now (on both Blast Radius and EDuke32 sides). Recent EDuke32 version recommended for a smooth, stable experience however. Due to the presence of EDuke-specific code for some of the new projectiles and items, different ports for now are unsupported.

All the best for 2024; now, get ready for more action as the blast knows no R&R.

Cheers,

- ck3D