Tested with quakespasm 0.90.1 win64 without mods
with this launch parameters:
quakespasm-sdl2.exe -zone 2048 -heapsize 192000 -bpp 32

Thought I better mention above just in case, after map crashed client when I tried to play it under AD. 

http://quaketastic.com/files/demos/dwm3.zip

I had a lot of problems with progression, finding the silver key and the moving crate progression by accident. The 'similar terminal nearby' I stumbled upon too. At a point was completely lost. I continued anyway even after the 'a door has opened nearby' message. As it was, I didn't regret it.

I showed only one slope(ramp)jump shortcut.

What about the GL/red laser area? I thought the jump I made there would be another shortcut...

I was quite surprised at the trigger on picking up the gold key, even though I saw the GK door before and wondered why it wasn't marked more clearly.

Some textures and brushwork reminded me of Hell in Can and Invein. I guess this was intentional given the theme, horror in an infested base?

A number of ambushes gave me a heart attack just like a single fiend did in Hell in a Can when I replayed it recently.

The fact this map is planned to be part of an episode feels like my wish (expressed in the thread of your last map) coming true. 

but this one is great.

Some influence from Q3. 

Thank you. Already saw couple of fuck ups in my design.

I think chip upgrading mechanic would be more clear if:
- fiend wouldn't get trapped in the corner and stack both trains together(after that takes ages to wait for them). Trains need to do more damage.
- firmware upgrading routine wouldn't be accidentally accessible during battle, not sure how to solve this without some ugly bars blocking the way 8/
- new train route would get highlighted, kind of what valve does in their games

GL is accessible in another easier way. Nice shortcut though. Didn't thought about it since I can't do this kind of jumps consistently.

Ah, gold door 8) It supposed to be even more obscure, hence the GK being a secret. In my head it worked the other way around - GK is a secret by itself and after finding it player supposed to scratch his head trying to figure out where the door is.

As for texturing in similar way with mentioned maps - I nod and quietly downloading those maps to secretly play and hide my noobishness 8)


Overall I have mixed feelings now.
I must confess - I tried to make a map confusing on purpose. You see, I am one of those folks who like to whine about modern shooters is linear to the point of straight corridor with cutscenes and QTEs slapped on top, but looking at my previous maps I realized it wasn't much better. Well, maybe slightly curved corridor, but still too linear to my own tastes.
That is probably the main reason why third of the final map is in secret areas 8)

I see map is confusing alright, but not exactly as I planned. More as a result of few errors I mentioned.
At the same time I feel some guilty pleasure - spent quite some time making it, naturally I want you to stay at this map FOREVER! at least for 20 minutes. 

Those screenshots remind me of the kinds of environments found in Nehahra or Zerstorer. 

Part of the reason the map was confusing for me was that there were no centerprints to say what some of the buttons did.

Another part is when there was a centerprint for the button that opens the gold key door, I assumed it was necessary to find that door to progress. When I found the gold key, I couldn't connect it to the 'door has opened somewhere' message immediately. The secret trigger explained why the gold key was not clearly visibly marked though.

By the way, the area opened by the GK is the icing on the cake.

I have found the way to the GL too.

I think you have succeeded in creating a confusing map, so much so that I got confused whether it was an intentional setup or not.

If you haven't played Hell in a Can(casspq1) and Invein, you are in for a real treat in my opinion. But each to his own, I guess. Data download (hulk256) and Cartographer's Nightmare (kpcn2014) are very well worth playing too and they did come to my mind playing your map. 

Demo https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/33279452/daz_is.zip

I didn't finish as I got really lost :(

The main issues I think are thus

1) Lots of important buttons that give you no feedback when pushed!
2) Too much backtracking and area re-use means I never felt like I was progressing.
3) Lots of small/medium rooms that look similar and had no distinguishing land marks. I got lost very easily!

On the plus side though. The map felt very DOOM like for me. Especially the dark area full of dogs. When I wasn't confused or lost the map was pretty cool! 

Updated the map. Same DL link as before.

- trains give 50 dmg
- GK door hidden
- more centerprints added
- also added texture hints to chip updating routine

Few buttons left mute since you can see or hear affected stuff and I don't really know how to describe vore riding lift down to kick your butt 8/

Please give it another go.
Small indistinguishable rooms would still look the same though. 

I went ahead and uploaded via YouTube since I have a channel there anyway.

Skill 2, 4 secrets xD

https://youtu.be/OS4e6QUI5FA
Note there is no audio because I have no idea. Still I think the visuals of how I progress is still relevant.

Pros:

+Large space, good atmosphere...I constantly felt "alone"

+Great use of original tech style and love the blue lighting for the machinery!

+I can appreciate a map chock full of secrets...even if I barely found any!

Not so Pros:

- Lack of weapons, at least not secret ones. I only had the SG, SSG, and Nailgun the entire map. granted, I did not find Shamblers, so that helps! ;)

- Slightly confusing on where to go. This is especially references the terminal/chip/firmware process. As you will see in the video, I got rather lost at that point mostly due to the fact I ignored another path further back into the level. Still, I think maybe a little extra direction for the player could help here.

-There is very or no feedback when buttons are pressed. I resulted in pushing a button and hoping to notice something different elsewhere.

Summary:

A great level drenched with atmosphere using the feeling of large empty spaces and cold industrial textures to set the mood just right. One could not review this map without mentioning the slowly decomposing base about 1/2 into the level.

Good job DeeDoubleU and looking forward to the Root of All Evil!

*I did attempt to search for secrets as I went but man I just am blind or there isn't too much signal towards them. Oh well, the four that I did find were useful!* 

Well, two actually

- can you take screens of most confusing/similar/indistinguishable spots so I could try to break visual monotony?

- I thought about adding markers to SK and SK door, but don't know how to do this. I mean, what an arrow with SK image is pointing to?. Any suggestions? 

Starts in about an hour or so.

http://www.twitch.tv/ionous 

Okay, last update I think.
Now I will just bitch about "my vision" as an artist should.

- got rid of underwater bar - everyone was finding corresponding button before bar
- added pointers to powercore buttons, SK and SK doors
- water level in gateways lowered to prevent z-fighting with health
- clipped battle area near Terminal 1,
you kinda walk on air now, but this way you can move freely while fighting
- minor brush tweaks

http://imgur.com/1GjzByD 

But if I keep waiting, this level is going to be really awesome.

You know, you could request beta testers...I'm always up for testing levels if you want to email me for part 2 testing. 

Oh, neat. How can I reach you?

And parubaru, please leave your contacts or email me (it is in readme) if you are up for it.