First secret exit in Coundown to Disaster

I'm playing Countdown to Disaster by Gary Ragland right now, but while I know it's on Floor 2, I can't find the first secret exit. There's a door on one of the sides of the starting room (the northwest side, I believe) that requires the one key I don't have (three of four keys are needed to exit that level normally), and I've searched the entire map excruciatingly at least three times over for secrets which could contain the hidden fourth key that would allow access into that area but can't find it. And I know I'm missing something, because my secrets never register above 50% or so even after making sure I've pressed on every single wall within my reach. Does anyone have guidance as to how to reach this secret exit? - if so it would be appreciated.

I've sent you an email on how to do this, hope it helps.

For those that don't know here's how you do it.
- Go immediately left at the start of the level but don't immediately go into the next room. Wait until you hear the guard open the door and then run in and shoot him so that he dies in the doorway.
- Go and do the rest of the level but don't flick the normal elevator, come back to this door.
- Go through and follow around to a large treasure room. On the east side is a secret go through there and then you come to another small treasure room, go through this, then another then another then you'll come to the secret exit.

I beleive this is the only way to be able to finish the level and access the secret.

Thomas will know this level a lot better than me so will be able to explain if there is a hidden key or another way to do it.

Thanks for this reply (both here and in email), I tried it and I'm on the secret level now. It has the Pacman music. I had to reply Floor 2 but not a big deal - very creative trick you must use and if I review the mod the author will get credit for that.

BTW though - what makes you think Thomas will know it better?

WolfForever wrote:BTW though - what makes you think Thomas will know it better?

I'm not Dean, but I know Thomas is a Gary Ragland fan.

Yes, Ron is correct, this is one of Thomas' favourite mods and he has a phenomenal memory for levels and the best way to play them.

I thought Thomas's favorite Wolf3D addon was Totengraeber (for Spear, mpixsod). Might be wrong though.

Dean wrote:I've sent you an email on how to do this, hope it helps.

For those that don't know here's how you do it.
- Go immediately left at the start of the level but don't immediately go into the next room. Wait until you hear the guard open the door and then run in and shoot him so that he dies in the doorway.
- Go and do the rest of the level but don't flick the normal elevator, come back to this door.
- Go through and follow around to a large treasure room. On the east side is a secret go through there and then you come to another small treasure room, go through this, then another then another then you'll come to the secret exit.

I beleive this is the only way to be able to finish the level and access the secret.

Thomas will know this level a lot better than me so will be able to explain if there is a hidden key or another way to do it.

So this is the ill-the-guard-in-the-room-with-a-door-you-don't-have-the-key-to trick? Sweet! I first saw this in Eod, so I tried to implement it in a few levels. Makes a secret truly hard to find.

So this is the ill-the-guard-in-the-room-with-a-door-you-don't-have-the-key-to trick?

Brilliant method, but sometimes it's a real pain in the you-know-where to lure that guard out to open the door.

Well, if you test it and it works fine, no reason for it not too. From my tests, the trick works well every time.

WolfForever wrote:I thought Thomas's favorite Wolf3D addon was Totengraeber (for Spear, mpixsod). Might be wrong though.

Probably is, but as i said 'this is ONE of Thomas' favourite mods'

Sorry guys, I only played this game once in ancient times and didn't get further than level 2. I then ripped it off for use in a shabby add-on entitled "Purgatory". I know nothing about this game, sadly. But if this ever comes out in SDL I'll gladly try it out.

You should try Gary's "Episode Four". What a crispy set of maps.

Hi Jonathan!

Chokster37 wrote:

Thomas wrote:You should try Gary's "Episode Four". What a crispy set of maps.

I completely agree. I made it to level 6 so far (I think), I spent a lot of time just absorbing the levels It's like pizza, you want to save each level for a special occasion and reward yourself one level at a time and not overindulge the whole thing at once because it feels sacred. Really nice! Perhaps even Gary's best work.

Can you eat it cold for breakfast also?