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Visually impressive, but lacks gameplay innovations

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 13 / 17
Date: August 06, 2004
Author: Amazon User

One would think that after all these years and innovations in games, id would release a game that had a little more substance than the original doom. However, this is not the case. Though the graphics and atmosphere are INCREDIBLE (Those who are having issues with the graphics might find upgrading their cards to be a more viable solution considering Half Life 2 will be coming out soon), the game falls short on many aspects in terms of a greater FPS gameplay experience.

The textures, lighting, effects, sound, are all that I expected from the previews seen, and id did an incredible job fine tuning the game to run on the most basic of gaming systems. I have had no crash issues and the framerate remained fairly constant. The atmosphere generated by a combination of these elements truly leads to quite a frightful experience as you meander around in dark corridors jumping at every little sound. Suffice to say, I haven't been scared like this since Silent Hill took the stage.

However, there are some minor gameplay issues that I think detract from the experience enough to warrant a lower rating. Long gone should be the days where monsters automatically know where you are (you can justify this by saying "they're demons and they have extrasensory abilities," but I say poor AI programming). Predicatable scripted events recycled from the first doom don't have that fear factor anymore (hit a trigger for the "secret" wall to open and monsters come out). Useless NPCs that serve practically no purpose. Almost no interactive environments (not many boxes that can be pushed, shooting objects does notdamage them). etc..etc...etc...

The storyline we're given is your run-of-the-mill predictable demon horde invasion story that's been reused and recycled from every cheesy game to cheesy shows on Sci-Fi network. The only reson I don't knock on it is because DOOM started this trend in the first place.

Cut a long review short. BEAUTIFUL GAME. Poor gameplay.

It's Doom for crying out loud!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 13 / 17
Date: August 09, 2004
Author: Amazon User

It's amazing how many people have criticized this game for being something that it isn't.

It's not a tactical first person shooter, although some tactics will go a long way in your survival.

Others have criticized the lack of "alt-fire" modes, which have become standard in other FPS's but not in Doom. Quite frankly, in most firearms, there is not any other way to fire the weapon (with the exception of full auto and burst modes on some automatic weapons). Alt-fire modes are a figment of the designers imagination, so the lack of such to me adds to the level of realism in the game.

Still others criticize the darkness of the game, and the need to switch between a flashlight and weapon. I agree a bit with this criticism, but also must mention that those were design decisions to make the came more hectic, and nerve wracking, which it achieves in spades.

And one of the biggest complaints, is how it taxes even the most robust systems available. This shouldn't come as a suprise. Most of us old enough to remember the "original" Doom, also noted that Doom often taxed existing systems which required it to be run with a smaller screen.

Doom 3 is a worthy succesor to the original series. while it adds features that were not present in the original, it does not overtax the player.

Those who unfairly criticize this game, do so because they expected something that Doom is not.

Doom 3 is Doom. With it's wrinkles and weaknesses, and strengths and achievements. I call it Doom AMPED, And when you are playing, you will be amped too.

Disappointing

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 13 / 17
Date: September 01, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Doom 3 was one of the most hyped games ever, and with good reason. It was a successor to the previous Dooms and with a major upgrade, especially in the graphics. Needless to say, I couldn't wait to play it. I was, however, sorely disappointed.

Pros
1. Probably the best graphics in a videogame ever.
2. Some pretty cool environmennts.
3. Can scare the hell out of you.
4. Easy to pick up and play. True to the original.

Cons
1. Very, VERY dark. 3/4 of the game is frustratingly dark. Sometimes it adds a cool scare effect, but most of the times its just plain frustrating. Not being able to hold a gun and use a light at the same time is just unforgiveable (unless you use a mod).
2. Story seems like an afterthought and just messes with the gameplay.
3. Weapons aren't that great and aren't that fun to use. No secondary fire in this type of FPS is also inexcusable.
4. Can become fairly monotonous.
5. Very little interactivity. Hardly anything can be interacted with unless its part of the mission, yet there is so much stuff that looks as though you should be able to interact with it.
6. Online multiplayer is only 4 players, which is absolutely ridiculous for a first person shooter on PC. Also, its very susceptible to lag.
7. Most monsters die the same way and become very predictable.

As you can see there are many things wrong with this game, and very little right. I would definitely not recommend it unless you really would like to see the fantastic graphics providing you have a very high end system. The game is not entirely bad however, it is OK to play, its just that considering the immense hype and compared to current first person shooters it lacks in way too many areas.

Stellar graphics, mediocre gameplay

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: August 08, 2004
Author: Amazon User

As anyone interested in this game already knows, the graphics are fantastic. The environments are dark and scary and the sound is great. In my opinion that's all this game has to offer. The gameplay leaves much to be desired. Basically, you're just navigating dark rooms and corridors while being ambushed, over and over. It's a cheap trick and it gets old really fast. There's no tactics involved in this game at all, just keep your gun loaded and blast whatever pops out at you. Eventually creatures will be spawning all around you, even behind you, which I find absolutely rediculous. Adding to the frustration is the fact that the environments are very cramped. I was hoping for more open environments with plenty of room for moving around while engaged in combat. Instead, you're stuck in tiny spaces pumping rounds into whatever monster just magically spawned into the room.
If you're looking for a great FPS pick up Far Cry, that's a 5 star game in my opinion. If you've just got to have Doom3 I'd recommend waiting for the price to drop, that way you'll be a little less disappointed.

Sweeet

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 31 / 58
Date: October 23, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Having the opportunity to get my hands on a Beta Release of Doom 3 all I can say is oh my god. This is what we have all been waiting for. The levels are beautiful. The monsters can scare the pee right out of you. With Doom 3 Im always on the edge of my chair. This game provides solid gameplay typical to the FPS genre and i cannot express enough how beautiful it is. Ive heard comments about DX9 Games like HL2 and Doom 3 Not fully working with Nvidia based cards, but if you have a Nvidia card just get the new 50 series beta drivers and you shouldnt have to much of a problem. I play this game on a Athlon XP 2700 1 GIG 333mhz Crucial Ram, and a Geforce 3 TI 500. My game settings are 1280x768x32 with High Detail, High Draw Rate and Medium Effects and i average 35-45 FPS in game, yes i know its not 60 or 70 but its smooth and very very playable, its not like trying ot run Unreal 2 on a 1.2 duron with a 32 meg card.. choke choke choke.. Not this game.. anyways its sweet.. get it.. you wont be disappointed.

Hope this review is helpful!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 9 / 10
Date: August 06, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Let's start off by saying that I'm new to the DOOM universe. That way you don't go off saying I'm some hardcore fan (just a below average PC gamer.)

Well, the first question on my mind (probably most of yours) was, "Will this game run on my PC?" The system specs are pretty high, but it does run well on my PC. First, my system specs:

Intel Pentium IV 2.6 GHz w/HT
1026 mb RAM
Sound Blaster 2 ZS audio card
80 GB 7200 rpm hard drive
Radeon 9800 pro 128 mb
And my native screen resolution is 1280 by 1024.

Now some are you are probably saying, "OK, and that means what to me?" Think whatever you like, but this game will run at best: 1152 by 864 with 2x anti aliasing and all settings set to medium, but lags a bit when there a lot going on in the screen. (On this PC) Compare your system specs to mine and try to figure it out the answer for yourself because I really don't know your system specs.

Next up is, "Is this game worth getting right now?" Answer: Probably not. You should wait a while till price drops down somewhat.

If you're thinking "Is this game really up to its hype?" Not really. While the graphics are better than most games out right now........ That's about it. Normal game play here.

To me this game seemed like a challenge to me (the way all games ARE SUPPOSED to be.) I found it quite frustrating having to switch between flashlight, the weapon, and back again to find out where the enemy is so you can shoot (remember below average gamer here). SO FAR, most of the game I played it's mostly dark, but that just adds to its fear effect. This game made me jump a bit whenever an enemy popped out at me. (Game play is kind of slower than most games, but when enemies are on screen the action heats up.) The only other thing I can only think up at this time is that you got to use a PDA quite a bit to progress through the game.

Note: this is my 1st GAME review hoped it helped you somewhat. (I tried not to be biased.)

HAPPY GAMING ^_^

Predictable surprise

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 9 / 10
Date: August 07, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I had a great first impression of this game. The little detailing here and there made you feel like you're a little bit in the game. Like the 'touch' screen passcode keypads, the real time images you see in the monitors, and the pretty flashlight effect.

But as I got to around Alpha labs lvl 3, it dawned on me how repetitious this game actually is. And that cool flashlight effect became dizzyingly annoying. Enemies pop out, but as you progress through the game, you can pretty much predict when they'll pop out. And because the map is so god-awful dark, you really can't see most of the enemies that are attacking you, which means you'll take damage before you can even react!

This game is a throwback to the ole of having to memorize some of the monster locations when you reload the game over and over again. And after about 2 hours, the wows of the graphics wears off, and you're left with the gameplay.

It was pleasant to see all the doom monsters in glorious 3D graphics. But the decision to put mood over gameplay left me dissatasified. And the creepy voices and groans and moans...it was spooky the first couple minutes I heard it. Got annoying by the time I entered delta lab.

After I finished the game (end boss was much easier then mid boss), I couldn't help but compare this to Doom 2 (never really played doom 1) and be severely disappointed. Doom 2 left me with nightmares for days. Doom 3 left me with nothing but blurried, tunnel visioned eye-sight.

THIS IS SOOOOO.....okay..i guess

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 10 / 12
Date: August 04, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I hate to rain on anyone's parade. This is a fantastic game for all of about 15-30 minutes. The lighting effects are magnificent and make the game. Unfortunately, the plot is typical and in a rather controversial move, Id decided upon placing "scare factor" above gamer ergonomics in their priority list. Yes, the flashlight fiasco! Is it annoying? You bet! Would the game lose almost all its value as a "scare thriller" had Id chosen to give us the option of continous lighting? You bet! Switching between gun and flashlight is right up there with FarCry's GameSave fiasco.

I honestly believe that Id had every intention and desire to create a "groundbreaking" game. The graphics are amazing. So why am I so bored and annoyed after only an hour of playing? How many zombies and monsters can jump out of a corner for you to blow away before you realize that is all there is to this game? It's pretty much just a scaled up version of Turkey Puncher!

Not bad

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 10 / 12
Date: August 18, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I got this game and put it on a P4 2.8 Ghz with a 256 mb ATI radeon video card. The game looks and sounds great. However it is insanly dark, to have a few dark areas you have to run through isn't bad but this is everywhere you go. It just gets irritating after a while.

Wow the future is Dark

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 10 / 12
Date: August 18, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The future is so dark I gotta wear "night vision glasses"

This game is dark, dark, dark... I've adjusted the gamma so many times I have it on speed dial. The future is apparently short on reliable power sources because lights are either really dim or non-existent on every floor and every room you enter. (Strange?)

Did I mention this game was dark?

Beyond that it's "freak you out" scary and weird enough to keep me interested but certainly NOT "unbelievably awesome"

Buyer beware

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