Never in the history of computer gaming has a title been as anticipated as first-person shooter (FPS), Doom 3. Developer id Software spent four years making what is fast becoming one of the best-selling PC games ever.
It sold over 300 000 copies in North America in its first week of release. While SA cannot quite match those numbers, 250 copies were sold at the midnight launch last week, with retailers reporting brisk sales.
A familiar story
The original Doom was released in 1993 and became a cult hit, thanks mainly to its story line and use of the available technology. While it was not the first FPS, it became one of the most successful.
Doom 2: Hell on Earth and Final Doom followed, but these could not recapture the spirit (and success) of the original.
The decision to make Doom 3 a retelling of the original story seemed risky. However, as details of the game emerged, fans eagerly awaited a title that would modernise what had become a classic gaming experience.
You play the role of a marine sent to help with the security on a Mars research facility funded by the Union Aerospace Corporation. However, from the word go the player gets the feeling that all is not right on the red planet.
Borrowing heavily from Half-Life, the opening of Doom 3 gives the player a chance to settle into his/her role at the base. The peace does not last long as all hell literally starts breaking loose.
The scientists have conducted one too many experiments and have unlocked a gateway to Hell. Now it is up to the player to try and save the day by single-handedly fighting the demon hordes and sending them back from whence they came.
Stunning to behold
Much has been said regarding the content in Doom 3. There have been claims that it propagates Satanism and promotes violence in teenagers. Many people would have us believe the title epitomises what is wrong in the world today.
What these people conveniently forget is that Doom 3 has been rated as a mature (ie adults only) title by just about every game-rating organisation in the world. Also, it has been made clear to retailers the world over that this title should under no circumstances be sold to minors.
The graphics of the game will probably not endear it to the naysayers either. Quite simply, Doom 3 is the best looking game I have ever played. While Far Cry was impressive in this department, Doom 3 clearly sets the standard for other games to follow.
Part of what makes the graphics so stunning, is the fact that the game is scalable. It looks amazing even on a relatively low-end system. If you are lucky enough to have a decent graphics card, lots of memory and a speedy processor, Doom 3 will blow you away.
Be afraid, be very afraid
The graphics also make Doom 3 an atmospheric game. Gamers wanted something scary and id Software happily obliged. While it is not so much a psychologically frightening game, Doom 3 specialises in scaring the living daylights out of you through its use of graphics, shadows, sound and monsters.
It specialises in the proven formula of slasher horror movies. Unfortunately, this means it suffers on the replay front.
Not too many gamers will play Doom 3 through more than a couple of times due to its linearity (and the fact that you will not have too many nerves left). Having said that, it offers players at least 20 hours of game time.
Adding to the story element is the personal data assistant (PDA). The PDA contains e-mails you have received and videodisks you have downloaded from different terminals at the base.
There are also numerous PDAs scattered all over the place containing a large amount of back story and access codes to a variety of cabinets containing weapons, ammunition, armour and health.
This brings me to another change in Doom 3. The original Doom was an all-out action affair. You were constantly bombarded by waves of monsters and had an almost unlimited supply of ammunition.
The remake is much more tactical in the sense that you have to use your ammunition sparingly as there is not that much to go around. Thankfully, you are rarely faced with a host of demons but the ones that arrive are strong enough to keep you busy for a while.
Worth the wait
Doom 3 can only really be considered revolutionary due to its graphics. It does not offer anything new in terms of FPS game play and the replay value is limited.
However, the game remains one of the most frighteningly enjoyable experiences I have had in a long time. When you are feeling brave, lock your door, turn down the lights and put headphones on to truly experience what horror gaming is all about.
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