This PC title, released in 2021, offers a unique take on the classic shooter genre through its innovative modding approach. It's a collection of ten custom-designed maps that challenge players with a self-imposed restriction: each map utilizes a palette of only ten stock textures and ten stock floor textures, alongside essential universal elements like switches and doors. This constraint fosters a distinct visual style and encourages creative level design within familiar aesthetic boundaries.

The core experience revolves around navigating these meticulously crafted environments, engaging in combat, and solving the puzzles presented by the map layouts. While pistol starts are the intended way to begin, players have the flexibility to approach each map as they see fit. The difficulty curve is designed to start at a challenging level, comparable to Plutonia, and gradually escalates to embrace the demanding design philosophies of creators like Killer5 and Insane Gazebo, though remaining more accessible than their most difficult works.

What is the core gameplay experience?

The gameplay centers on exploration and combat within the ten distinct maps. Players will encounter a variety of enemy types and environmental challenges that require strategic thinking and skillful execution. The limited texture sets mean that visual cues and spatial awareness play a significant role in navigating the levels and identifying threats or objectives. The progression through the maps introduces increasing complexity in both enemy encounters and map design, providing a consistent challenge for players.

What makes this mod unique?

The 10x10 Project's defining characteristic is its strict adherence to a limited texture and flat palette for each map. This self-imposed limitation forces a creative approach to level design, resulting in environments that are both familiar in their building blocks and novel in their arrangement. This constraint is the primary driver of the game's unique aesthetic and gameplay challenges, pushing players to adapt their strategies to the specific visual and spatial properties of each map.

How does the difficulty progress?

The mod begins with a difficulty level that aligns with Plutonia, a well-known benchmark for challenging Doom II gameplay. As players advance through the maps, the difficulty is designed to increase, drawing inspiration from the complex and demanding styles of creators such as Killer5 and Insane Gazebo. However, the developer notes that the difficulty, while escalating, remains more approachable than the extreme challenges presented by those creators.

Are there any special features?

Beyond the core ten maps, there is a secret map included. This additional level is noted by the developer as potentially being unpopular, suggesting it offers a different or perhaps more unconventional experience compared to the main set of maps.

What platforms is it available on?

This mod is available for PC, specifically for Microsoft Windows.

When was it released?

The release date for this mod was November 15, 2021.