This is the final level of Episode 1, culminating in the boss fight against Cheogh. You'll navigate a large, ancient temple featuring vertical architecture and heavy demonic resistance.
- Temple Entrance: You begin in a valley facing the temple. Neutralize the three Cultists near the entrance and the Gargoyles perched on the upper ledges. To enter, locate the small alcove to the left of the main stairs to find the Moon Key, which unlocks the front gates.
- Navigating the Temple: Inside the main hall, expect a crossfire from Cultists on the balconies. Use the Flare Pistol or Dynamite to clear the groups quickly. You must navigate the side corridors to find the Dagger Key, which is guarded by a Stone Gargoyle that animates when you approach the pedestal.
- Puzzle Elements: To reach the upper levels, you must locate a sequence of switches hidden behind tapestries in the side chambers. Activating these raises the central platforms. Watch for the crushing ceiling trap in the narrow corridor leading to the Eye Key chamber; timing your sprint is essential.
- Key Hunt: The Eye Key is located in the high western gallery. Once obtained, return to the central hub and use the lifts to reach the golden door. Be prepared for a Phantasm to spawn once the Eye Key is picked up.
- Preparing for the Boss: Before entering the final arena, break the urns in the foyer to find Life Leech charges and a Super Armor. The room immediately preceding the boss contains a Napalm Launcher—this is your most effective tool for the upcoming fight.
- Entering Cheogh's Lair: The final Golden Door leads to a large open-air arena. Ensure your Tommy Gun and Napalm Launcher are fully reloaded before stepping into the center of the zone.
- Boss Fight - Cheogh: Cheogh is a flying behemoth that fires projectiles and summons smaller Gargoyles. Environmental Strategy: Use the large stone pillars for cover to block his eye-beams. Aim for the head with the Napalm Launcher for massive splash damage. If you run out of heavy ammo, the Akimbo Powerup (if found in the secrets) with the Tommy Gun will shred his health quickly.
- Secrets: Look for a miscolored wall section in the Moon Key room to find a MegaHealth. Additionally, in the main hall, jumping behind the large altar and pressing the use key reveals a hidden compartment containing Reflective Shots and Dynamite bundles.
- Victory: Once Cheogh falls, walk toward the exit rift to view the cinematic conclusion of 'Way of the Hungry Dead' and proceed to Episode 2.
This level tests your movement and ammo management. Prioritize killing the hit-scan Cultists on the balconies first to preserve your health for the final confrontation with Cheogh.