I post reviews and previews from time to time on our forums. They have been getting some decent comments lately, so I thought I'd start posting some of the elsewhere. Let me know what you think.
DOOM III
Graphics---------10
Audio------------10
Gameplay-------7.0
Replay---------- 5.0
Overall----------8.0
Graphics - Most people are of the mindset that visuals don't make a game. 99% of the time I would agree with them. However, I think Doom III breaks the mold in this reguard. So much detail has gone into creating the world that the player interacts with that it has a dramatic effect on the rest of the game as a whole. Simply put, the atmosphere, intensity, and mystery that the Doom III engine generates is unequaled. The real-time dynamic lighting adds copious amounts of tension and suspense which ultimately directs the gameplay itself. Many memorable moments will be had that send shivers down your back, or make you jump slightly out of your seat. All of the enemies you face throughout the game are beautifully modelled and textured. Top that off with the eerie glowing red eyes that illuminate in the dark, and you've got one disturbing advisary on your hands. Every bit of art syncs so well together, that it truely brings to life the Mars Base setting for the storyline. It is by far one of the more convincing environments created.
Audio - Terrifying. That about sums it up, in a good way. From faint whispers, to screeching heads of fire, to paniced calls for help, Doom III creates an ambient setting that will surely play with your head. Everything is recorded in a crisp, clear sound without any major flaws or hiccups. From the beginning of the game where screams of pain and terror from your allies fill your communcator, to the quite whispers of fallen comrades asking for help from beyond the grave, Doom III is a delight to the senses. Magnified on a surround sound setup, you'll constantly catch yourself stopping and wondering if that huffing noise coming from behind you is real or in your head. When devlilish voices echo down long hallways, you'll pause to check your pants. The audio engineering of Doom III is one of the largest highlights to the game.
Gameplay - The core of any game and yet one of the fundamental flaws of Doom III. However, it is no better or worse than what we were told to expect. It was made clear that Doom III was a reincarnation of the original Doom, only with the atmosphere and tension that older technology couldn't provide. And that is exactly what we got. Everything from the weapons, the way monsters spawn, and the flow of the game are straight from the early 90's edition of Doom. If we got what we were told to expect, why the lower score? Because playing games isn't about just marveling at a tech demo. It's about having fun and enjoying the gameplay experience. Is that accomplished? Yes and no. Doom III's saving grace is the graphical and audio powerress that sets the stage for Doom's content. However, after all this time one would come to expect at least some minor changes to how the game handled. One good example is the mandatory switching from flashlight to weapon. It makes no sense whatsoever that a space marine on the most advanced mars complex doesn't have some kind of light source that could be used alongside his weapon. It is also hard to buy into the storyline when you seem to be the only capable marine of surviving the current events. What makes you so special? According to the story, nothing. These small exclusions along with several others really detract from the incredible display of technological power.
Replay - Let's face it, once you play through Doom III there is very little incentive to play through it again. The enemy AI is melancholy at best. Demons will spawn in predictable places even when teleported in from Hell. Strategies for fighting different enemies rarely change. It's just a matter of knowing which weapon works best for each type of enemy. The storyline and level design are completely linear, and offer no reason to try and explore any more of the Mars complex. About the only thing keeping the replay value at an average score, is the addition of multi-player. However, even it's inclusion is an afterthought. The levels are well designed for the four player limit, but most of them have the same industrial feel. No attempts were made at creating some new arenas or variations of topography within the maps. Perhaps some of the coming mods will extend the replay value of Doom III, but I would assume most of the ones that reach success will be singleplayer. I don't see Doom III as a viable platform for solid multiplayer mods.
Overall - iD software set out to re-create their smash genre introducing title with a 2004 technological twist, and that's just what they did. Though many felt Doom III was weak in gameplay, it more than made up for it with visual beauty. If you are looking for a completely new version of Doom, with dynamic AI, interactive physics, and open-ended gameplay then your search will have to continue. But for what iD intended to do, they did it brilliantly. Doom III is a technologial marvel, with fundamental FPS gameplay that started a generation of new PC games. It takes us back to the roots of the genre and gives it a cosmetic face lift. Doom III provides a feast for the eyes and ears, leaving your hands with something to desire.
DOOM III
Graphics---------10
Audio------------10
Gameplay-------7.0
Replay---------- 5.0
Overall----------8.0
Graphics - Most people are of the mindset that visuals don't make a game. 99% of the time I would agree with them. However, I think Doom III breaks the mold in this reguard. So much detail has gone into creating the world that the player interacts with that it has a dramatic effect on the rest of the game as a whole. Simply put, the atmosphere, intensity, and mystery that the Doom III engine generates is unequaled. The real-time dynamic lighting adds copious amounts of tension and suspense which ultimately directs the gameplay itself. Many memorable moments will be had that send shivers down your back, or make you jump slightly out of your seat. All of the enemies you face throughout the game are beautifully modelled and textured. Top that off with the eerie glowing red eyes that illuminate in the dark, and you've got one disturbing advisary on your hands. Every bit of art syncs so well together, that it truely brings to life the Mars Base setting for the storyline. It is by far one of the more convincing environments created.
Audio - Terrifying. That about sums it up, in a good way. From faint whispers, to screeching heads of fire, to paniced calls for help, Doom III creates an ambient setting that will surely play with your head. Everything is recorded in a crisp, clear sound without any major flaws or hiccups. From the beginning of the game where screams of pain and terror from your allies fill your communcator, to the quite whispers of fallen comrades asking for help from beyond the grave, Doom III is a delight to the senses. Magnified on a surround sound setup, you'll constantly catch yourself stopping and wondering if that huffing noise coming from behind you is real or in your head. When devlilish voices echo down long hallways, you'll pause to check your pants. The audio engineering of Doom III is one of the largest highlights to the game.
Gameplay - The core of any game and yet one of the fundamental flaws of Doom III. However, it is no better or worse than what we were told to expect. It was made clear that Doom III was a reincarnation of the original Doom, only with the atmosphere and tension that older technology couldn't provide. And that is exactly what we got. Everything from the weapons, the way monsters spawn, and the flow of the game are straight from the early 90's edition of Doom. If we got what we were told to expect, why the lower score? Because playing games isn't about just marveling at a tech demo. It's about having fun and enjoying the gameplay experience. Is that accomplished? Yes and no. Doom III's saving grace is the graphical and audio powerress that sets the stage for Doom's content. However, after all this time one would come to expect at least some minor changes to how the game handled. One good example is the mandatory switching from flashlight to weapon. It makes no sense whatsoever that a space marine on the most advanced mars complex doesn't have some kind of light source that could be used alongside his weapon. It is also hard to buy into the storyline when you seem to be the only capable marine of surviving the current events. What makes you so special? According to the story, nothing. These small exclusions along with several others really detract from the incredible display of technological power.
Replay - Let's face it, once you play through Doom III there is very little incentive to play through it again. The enemy AI is melancholy at best. Demons will spawn in predictable places even when teleported in from Hell. Strategies for fighting different enemies rarely change. It's just a matter of knowing which weapon works best for each type of enemy. The storyline and level design are completely linear, and offer no reason to try and explore any more of the Mars complex. About the only thing keeping the replay value at an average score, is the addition of multi-player. However, even it's inclusion is an afterthought. The levels are well designed for the four player limit, but most of them have the same industrial feel. No attempts were made at creating some new arenas or variations of topography within the maps. Perhaps some of the coming mods will extend the replay value of Doom III, but I would assume most of the ones that reach success will be singleplayer. I don't see Doom III as a viable platform for solid multiplayer mods.
Overall - iD software set out to re-create their smash genre introducing title with a 2004 technological twist, and that's just what they did. Though many felt Doom III was weak in gameplay, it more than made up for it with visual beauty. If you are looking for a completely new version of Doom, with dynamic AI, interactive physics, and open-ended gameplay then your search will have to continue. But for what iD intended to do, they did it brilliantly. Doom III is a technologial marvel, with fundamental FPS gameplay that started a generation of new PC games. It takes us back to the roots of the genre and gives it a cosmetic face lift. Doom III provides a feast for the eyes and ears, leaving your hands with something to desire.
