Free mod for Doom II on Windows
In the flesh is a free mod for Doom II on Windows by kitteneater76. This is a survival horror mod featuring custom guns, enemies and more. This mod changes certain gameplay elements to bring new excitement to the base game, just like Helluva Boss: Going Postal or Brutal Doom for Doom 95.
Everything has a zombie theme in this mod, which takes inspiration from the game Zombi and others of its kind. While the premise is intriguing, unfortunately, there are some ups and downs throughout the playing experience. Bear in mind that you'll need the GZDoom port to play this mod.
One of the essential differences between In the flesh and Doom II is that the mod features new maps. However, these maps were developed with the same assets that Doom II brings, creating a strange feeling of it being ‘almost’ a classic Doom experience.
A mix of old and new maps
Unfortunately, the vast, open spaces in In the flesh fail to create the spooky tension that you want from a game like Doom. Dark, small corridors where anything can be lurking are way more effective. Many of the maps are open, and corridor maps have far too many hiding places.
Some novel features
Happily, the mod has new weapons and enemies. The enemies are a bit bland since they look like modified low-quality versions of the original ones. This is especially true for the first ones you encounter, but later ones get better.
However, the most crucial change is the addition of NPC players. They don’t amount to much since they’re usually just running away in panic, but they give the experience a different vibe.
A rough gem
In the flesh is a mod with a lot of potential. It offers an enticing take on Doom II, and it’s interesting enough to hold its own against the millions of other mods out there. However, the premise falls short in execution: enemies and maps, two essential aspects of it, could be better.
That said, including civilians is genius, and the maps are much more detailed than the base game ones. The concept will appeal to those looking for some degree of survival horror in Doom II.
A little more polish would go a long way in making this a very recommendable mod for everyone else.
