The Wasteland: Game Reviews
Doom 3
Platform: PC
Made by: Id Software (Doom)
With Doom 3 hitting shelves all over North America, I take a look back at the original Doom, made back in 1993. It was little more than a new adaptation of the Wolfenstein 3d engine at the time, but its popularity was immense.
The original first-person shooter placed you on the moon, in a military station. The objective was to activate the wind generator and rescue your friends (other scientists) from the demons that have invaded. With 16 maps and over 13 unique monsters, from the Baron of Hell, to the Mancubus, to the railgun-toting cyborg Prometheus, it was praised as the best action game since Quake.
Doom 3 however offers little of the original flavour, with cut-and-paste monster models that look more like half-life's aliens than anything.
Unlike original Doom, Doom 3 takes place on Mars, where (surprise, surprise) demons have invaded. Most of Doom 3's charm comes from the voice acting.
My personal favourite line was, "The devil is real. I know. I built his cage." This, among other lines put you in a surreal universe, where marines and demons clash in a power struggle unlike many gaming experiences. If it were made into a movie, it would definitely have lent more weight than as a game, which leaves one or two elements to be desired.
I, personally, found it very frustrating having to batter zombies with my flashlight, the only starting weapon besides the pistol, which holds only twelve bullets. Not nearly enough to take down all the monsters you'll be facing.
The inclusion of new story elements, such as the expansive UAC (United Airspace Corporation) and its personal army of marines, is one of the game's saving graces. Not nearly enough to make up for its chunky gameplay and years of hype. With Doom 2 having been released in 1996, Doom 3 has been awaited for over five years. Five years many players won't be getting back.
4/10
From Vancouver, Washington, J. Crendow
has been an avid movie-goer and gamer
for twenty-five years, and has been
reviewing for more than six. He and
his wife Carolyn both enjoy ice cream
and improvisational jazz.
E-mail J. Crendow
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