DOOM 64

'Hectic' is a secret level that is accessed by destroying all the explosive barrels in the Level 1 'Staging Area'. Once all 10 barrels are destroyed the exit for 'Hectic' will open in the area behind where you start the level, but only for a very brief time. It is for this reason you must make the explosive barrel to the right of your spawn point into the level the last one you destroy. There is a teleport later in the level that will bring you straight back to your starting point allowing you to destroy this barrel last, meaning you have plenty of time to make the secret exit. This can be unlocked on any difficulty level but I recommend doing it on the easiest level, obviously this will make it a lot easier. The descriptions below are based on playing on 'Be Gentle!' difficulty (easiest). If you are playing on any other there may be more enemies than this guide indicates.

The secret barrel locations are as follows:

Barrel 1: On spawning into level 1, ignore the first barrel you see on your right for now and drop down to the area directly to your front where you will pick up a shotgun. First barrel is in the back left corner of this room.

Barrel 2: From barrel 1 move out of this room via the hallway where you will meet a few enemies. Continue halfway down this hallway to the first door on your left. Go through this door and meet a few more enemies, enter the room then turn around to see barrel 2 in the back left corner.

Barrel 3: From barrel 2 leave this room and return to the hallway, go all the way to the end and activate a lift. Go up and you will be confronted with a demon coming towards you down a hallway, take care of it then turn around to your left to see barrel 3 in the back corner.

Barrel 4: Continue down the hallway the demon was approaching from, taking the first turn to the left where you will meet a few more enemies. In this part of the hallway look for a wall panel on the right that is different to all the others, it will not have the circle pattern on it, it is right on the corner. Interact this panel to open a secret area, inside is barrel 4 and a set of megaarmor. You will also get Secret Sleuth here for finding a secret area.

Barrel 5: Return to the main hallway where the demon was and look for an alcove where you will pick up the blue keycard. With the blue card return back down the lift, down the hallway and enter the blue door on the left. You will immediately see an enemy in front of you and some more enemies behind cages on the left. Barrel 5 is in this room right in front of you.

Barrel 6: From barrel 5, take the small set of steps out of this room and head left down a large hallway meeting a few more enemies. Head to the end of this hallway and activate a switch which will open a door behind you and release 3 demons. After taking care of these demons enter the room they came from and barrel 6 is in this room against the right wall. There is also a switch in the middle of the back wall of this room, be sure to activate it as well.

Barrel 7: After activating the switch in the room of barrel 6, return to the small set of steps of of the area 5, the door at the top of these set of small steps is now open. Enter this doorway and stick to the left hallway, meeting an enemy. Look for a bright archway on the left, walk into this alcove to activate a lift going down where you will find a heap of blue health bonuses and barrel 7.

Barrel 8: Go back up the lift from barrel 7 and continue down the left hallway to a door at the end. Enter this door to be confronted with another 3 demons. Take care of these then look for a small set of triangular stairs leading to a very slim doorway. Open this door to be confronted with another enemy. This is the standard exit area, don't activate the exit but instead enter this room and turn around to see barrel 8 in the right corner.

Barrel 9: From here leave the exit room and return to the small set of steps from the area where you destroyed barrel 5. When standing at the top of these steps turn around to see a very small room with a switch in it raised up in the middle of the room below. Ensure Auto Run is turned on, you are then able to sprint across from the ledge on this side straight into the little room. Activate this switch them immediately back out of the small room and drop down, the switch has activated a time sensitive left to the left of the cages where the enemies were trapped behind. Quickly move into the space created by this lift and move forward so the lift doesn't take you back up. You will now see barrel 9 right in front of you.

Barrel 10: From barrel 9, you will see a teleport to your right, step into it and it will take you back to your starting spawn point for the level. create a save game here. I would strongly recommend creating a save game as after you shoot this next barrel you have very limited time to make the gateway to 'Hectic' and if you miss it you won't get a second chance and will have to replay the level. You can now shoot the barrel to your right and quickly enter the dooway right behind where you spawn into the level. When in this next room, turn directly left and walk into the teleport gateway......Welcome to Hectic.

Below is a video showing all 10 barrel locations and how to access the 'Hectic' gateway:

The Hectic level itself is a series of puzzles and traps of sorts, that if navigated correctly can give you some goodies to help you in the game. If you are doing a legit playthrough I would recommend just skipping all this and exiting through the Exit portal in the back left of the room you start in. It will take you straight to level 2 and you can continue on your game. It's really not worth the hassle.