🚀 go-pugleaf

Jonathan wrote:
> Aftr being WOWed by the graphics for the first couple of hours, I
> gradually come to the realization that Doom 3 isn't very good after
> all.
> 
> It looks superb but it's let down badly by the gameplay.  There's
> absolutely no AI and the level design is horribly repetitive (endless
> netal corridors).  Monsters run straight at you out with no attempt to
> hide or stalk or take cover, which is fun for a couple of hours but
> then gets old very quickly.  It's way too dark which doesn't really
> make the game any more scary.
> 
> As for the story, forget it.
> 
> Purists might say "Hey, this is Doom, what did you expect?"  Well,
> something, ANYTHING original might have been a start.  The original
> Dooms were great for their day but apart from the occasional nostalgia
> kick, who wants to play them anymore?
> 
> I really think id missed the boat on this one, and it seems as though
> they were unsure of their direction.  Perhaps they wanted to keep the
> game true to the original, but what was fun 10 years ago isn't very
> much fun anymore.  The final chapter on pure twitch-shot games was
> written by Serious Sam 2.  Id has gone back and tried to write a
> belated appendix, but it's just too late.
> 
> While the early reviews are predictably glowing, I'm guessing that
> over the next few weeks it's going to be a case of the Emperor's New
> Clothes.  If this game hadn't been called Doom 3, people would have
> praised its graphics but would likely have largely ignored it.
> 
> That's my 2 cents worth, I'd be interested to hear what you guys have
> to say.

I think D3 was meant more to be an experience, like a movie (beginning 
and definite end) than a branching story based game.  The levels have 
generally one set path you can take to the end, and I think that's 
rather nice for a change.

I myself am kind of tired of the "rat in a maze" type arena maps and 
junk we've been having in so many games.  I like the original Doom style 
(even though in the original game's later episodes there were maze like 
levels, but for the most part, things were fairly linear, a maze in the 
middle, door at the end).

The zombie characters fit right in with the whole atmosphere, you got 
your hell demons and your zombie workers.  The demons got enough 
firepower to take you head on (and they're dead, so what do they care), 
whilst the zombies don't actually have a plan (BRAINS!!!) :).

Playing on Veteran an Nightmare, I've found that especially the dead 
marines and mg-carrying enemies take cover a lot and seem to try and 
flank you.  But the best part has got to be the old style -- everyone in 
hell gangs up on you -- moments.

Those pinch siutations are what made the original Doom games and now D3, 
when you're low on health, being hit left and right, and the only thing 
left is a shotgun with 20 rounds, but you still get out of it.  That's 
vintage right there.

Overall, especially with surround sound, the game is meant to be a movie 
like experience, dragging you through it, and scaring the shit out of 
you in the process.  I like it, a very fitting sequal.

Under the Federal Laws of Full-Disclosure, I am compelled to say that I 
for the record loved Half-Life. ;)