Post by The Big Daddy C-Master on Dec 12, 2006 16:57:18 GMT -5
Duke Nukem 3d is the game that revolutionized first person shooters in 3d. Adding personality, humor, and familiar locations to the once repetitive and predictable realm of shoting games. Duke 3d is a game that is popular and still remembered today, even making it into the Guinness Book of World Records for being the 3d Superhero of gaming.
Story: 7.5, We have our protagonist, Duke Nukem, who is just coming back from his victory over the Rigelatins of the last game. Things back on earth aren't like he expected and he is immediately blasted out of the sky. Where he lands upon a rooftop with his pistol and his wits. This is usually seen as Duke Nukem 1, even though it technically isn't, it's just the first 3d one. The story isn't anything new or groundbreaking, but it is done in an entertaining manner.
Gameplay: 10, this is the games piece right here and it delivers. What game have you seen with such detailed level design and effort even in today's games. It's usually just the same old bases and barracks. This game takes you into space, under and above ground, into bars, and so much more. Fully functional bathrooms are everwhere. Kick a hydrant and drink from it, use faucets. Go to an electrical outlet and get shocked, very well thought out and this was the first game of it's time to use "floors over floors" because this concept used to cause the engine of other games problems. That changed here. You can go up in the air, as well as pursue the depths of water. You can open and close doors, activate gears and switches, and the list goes on and on. Even more fun is trapping enemies and hearing them get crunched. You can blow up already dead enemies as well, adding an element to the game that shows creative detail put into it.
Graphics. 7, 9 in high res. This game had ok graphics, and made up for it in detail. Depending on what you're playing it on, the graphic rates vary, and include slowdowns on the playstation, but some things like mirros are missing on the 64 version. This game isn't truly 3d either, it is 2.5d, or in-between. Monsters are 2d, but the backgrounds aren't.
If you have the PC version and get the high resolution put in, this of course changes things and quadruples the resolution in the game as well as making pretty much all aspects 3d, though it is constantly being worked on and upgraded. Not bad on the classic versions, but not spectacular either, but there is alot of detail in the environment, making something new to look for each time you play. The Cinemas are best on Playstations, good on PC, and nothing spectacular on N64, showing cutscenes in clips of panels like a comic with one panel at a time.
Sound, 8.5. The sound makes the game's experience intensify. From the squish of dead enemies to the screams of Duke and the women, the sounds are quite a blast (no pun intended). You hear a pipebomb drop. You kick the walls and it makes a different sound. Furthermore, the game sounds authentic and genuine under water, so the displacement seems real. Also a first of its time.
The soundtrack is awesome on the Playstation, but the N64 version has no music at all. The PC version is cool, but not as close as the Playstations.
Control: 8. The game controls wonderfully and doesn't take nearly as long to get used to as current shooters do, you can use the D-Pad or analog on the Playstation version. The PC is easy as well, but some may be torn on the N64 version because of the location of buttons. You duck, jump, fire, and strafe. The inventory is easy to select, particularly on the PC version. I find combat on this game to be much more pleasant because I can use my reflexes as if it were a fighting game. Good controls all around.
Fun Factor: Definite 10. This game is simply too fun. What is better than blowing up your enemies? Doing it in a jetpack. Not to mention the weapons in this game are still one of a kind not often seen in other games. Sure you have your pistol, shotgun, and chaingun. But after that and the RPG you have pipebombs, trip bombs, shrinkers, expanders, freezers, and some WMD's. Not to mention you can even use steroids (Vitamin X for you Nintendo 64 players) to increase your speed.
Want a copy of yourself? Use Holoduke. The game just goes on in on with the amount of things you can do in it. The secrets and bonus levels are also a blast.
What are you waiting for, grab a copy of this game.
I give it an average of 8 and up, depending on what system you play it on. Great and memorable game, with a memorable character.
