1st of November 2025

Locked and Loaded | Single | Author: Pepsodent | Download

The Review: Not long after Duke3D was released someone figured you could make a convincing moving train, boat or plane by having the ground around the vehicle scroll with the conveyor belt effect. The Final Confrontation TC had a train map, there's of course the Phantom Express in Blood; even my own Fight the Future episode from 1998/1999 had a "moving" boat. (For an impressive modern take on the idea, check out New Invasion.)
Of all the train maps Locked and Loaded is probably the shortest; the map took me just seven minutes on my first playthrough. But during that there's plenty to see. Like Pepsodent's previous map, Weather Report, Locked and Loaded is packed to the brim with interesting details. Some of the cars are based on real-life counterparts (including maintenance and repair vehicles), and there's plenty of variety for such a short map. The map makes interesting use of weapon and projectile sprites, and there are some cool effects here and there; in fact, the map begins with one, resulting in an alien trooper getting splattered all over the wall like Wile E. Coyote. All the cars and objects on them cast realistic shadows, and TROR is utilized to make the roofs available without resorting to noticeable gimmicks (such as silent teleporters). And if you thought the map was going to be linear, think again: From the start you can basically decice which way to go to collect a yellow key (in fact, you can even opt to enter the roofs right from the start!). It's got a cool music track as well, fitting the map's action-packed rhythm.
Now, there's a downside to all this. The detail density coupled with the train's realistic scale is a poor fit for Duke's running speed and the game's combat. Ammo is tight, but due to the cramped nature of your surroundings, you won't be wasting many bullets. But the tightness of your surroundings is like this force of nature that never ceases to remind you of its existence, and it makes the experience just not that fun. Then there are factors that exacerbate the issue: Later on you've got not one but I think five Commanders firing their rockets at you from a considerable distance. Then there are doors that close too fast between you and the enemy and some annoying respawns. Also, unlike in other train maps, here you can somewhat safely jump off the train and get back on it, which is just silly.

Conclusion: Locked and Loaded is so far the most detailed take on the "train genre", being also the first to feature TROR to enable the player to walk on the roofs as well. It's got something interesting to see in almost every car, and there's some surprising nonlinearity in it as well. Unfortunately gameplay-wise it's a bit of a pain. You've got barely any space to move around, a situation made worse with some questionable respawns and hyper-active doors. Locked and Loaded is meant to be a short map in a full episode, so at least there's still plenty of time to fine-tune things for the full release.

Rating: 91