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DOOM Review - Pump that Shotgun!
9 years ago
Doom is back, this time back as close as it can to its roots, while putting on new polish and new features. However, does it have enough to be the Doom folks have been wanting since the 90s? The answer is a definite 'Yes!', with a caveat or two. Doom delivers a solid singleplayer experience with plenty of love and attention to gameplay, bits of story, and speed. The multiplayer aspect feels like an afterthought, or worse, shoehorned in to try to grasp the old days of Doom multiplayer, while trying to keep it modern, which fails as the system is drastically different than what’s seen in the Singleplayer.
Overall, a must have to any FPS Enthusiast of the 90s, or those who definitely enjoy the frantic pace of the Doom series (not including Doom 3).
Graphics: 10/10
Id Software went out of their way to make some solid effort to bring back the foreboding atmosphere to abandoned facilities all the way to Hell's jagged mountains and corridors. Every sight is as foreboding as it is impressive to the eye, not once leaving the proper atmosphere of the invasion of Mars. Enemies themselves are painstakingly put together in great detail from the Possessed all the way to the Cyberdemon (something you can inspect in great detail later in the game in the gallery). Special effects and particles all play out well, leaving the game a beautiful sight.
Audio: 8/10
Music composed to this game is a nostalgic gamer's dream mixed into a new players love for intense song. Mixing in old classic tunes from the old games for remixes for a modern finish that will speak to old school gamers while still leaving the newcomers enjoying the throbbing tone of a fight in their ears. There are times when the music difference can in fact feel a little jarring, as the difference between fights and exploration ambiance music can be as different as night and day. This does happen a bit in Hell as music can come between hard techno, to suddenly the hellish chorus and orchestra echoing in your speakers. However, the real treat comes from the work put into the guns and the monsters. Almost every gun in the game has avoided the 'nerf gun' feel of firing, from the combat shotgun's ringing blast, all the way to the chaingun firing at full throttle. Only one gun in the collection feels a bit disappointing, the pistol, while only really necessary early game, it never feels like its got much impact in the sound of the shot, but this is minor.
Gameplay: 9/10
It's fast, its chaos, and its gory. The Devs really did listen to their fans this time around, trading the creeping and paranoid inducing feeling of Doom 3, and replacing it with fast run n' gun action that leaves it dangerous to stop at any point in the fight. Of course, there are small respites you can find here and there between fights that allow you to take a breath, but at the same time, while the game is fast paced and chaotic, it doesn't discourage exploration either. With secrets and badly needed supplies everywhere, you can always back track, as most of the time, it'll be rare a portion of the map will be gated off after a certain amount of progress. There are a few negative points, such as the over reliance of the Glory Kill system, especially in later levels where its not an option, its almost mandatory. (Details discussed below) However, every punch, every shot, ever messy take down brings a satisfying sense of speed and thrill that few FPS grasp these days.
Longevity / Replayability: 9/10
Contrary to rumors, DOOM is packed with content from start to finish, most of it all in the Singleplayer, which after my playthrough, lasted between 18-20 hours on the highest difficulty available right out of the box (Ultra-Violence). From secrets, challenges in every map, collectibles to obtain, weapon mods to add to your arsenal, its quite a bit to all get. Thankfully, all this is not locked away should you miss it on finishing a map. You can return to any map any time with all currently obtained equipment and upgrades, allowing you to use the advantage to take on a challenge, or get a leg up to finally reach that possible secret you were having trouble with. That said, all secrets and challenges can be done with the default gear you have during that part of the game. (Eg. No challenges / secrets that cannot be reached without double jump in maps prior to obtaining that skill). After completing the game, you still have time to challenge yourself with two new difficulty settings (Acting much like New Game+), Nightmare, and Ultra-Nightmare, where the latter throws the challenge of permadeath. SnapMap and Multiplayer also add to this, but we'll get into that next.
Multiplayer: 6.5/10
Regretfully, once you load the Multiplayer up, be it SnapMap or Standard Multiplayer, the game changes drastically from its fast paced Singeplayer counterpart. The multiplayer works on a loadout and leveling system, most of which rewards you with cosmetics. Gameplay-wise, the speed is taken down several notches, and the wild combat is somewhat muted, as the guns don't quite have the same impact, and since they are given in loadouts, guns like the Super Shotgun and Rocket Launcher don't quite have the impact folks would expect. There are options to run classical rules, but some of these matches seem devoid of players at this time. Sadly, this part of the game feels shoehorned, simply there to make multiplayer a 'thing' in Doom, which fails to quite grasp the feeling of urgency and intensity.
SnapMap, however, does add some creative credence to the idea of custom work and mod work, adhering to the idea that Doom is a mod friendly game. However, in that same stroke, actual mods of the games players could make are no longer viable. SnapMap replaces this by giving folks tools to make their own maps from between staged Multiplayer, deadly onslaught mode coop, to even missions of their very own to test other players. Including trials to test your modding skill to improve / complete a map, to letting you publish and share your work. More and more features in regards to cosmetics, textures, and objects. The downside is that the setup is rather simplistic, and scripts are rather dumbed down, making it easy for newcomers, but more advance map makers are left wanting more. Possible upgrades later, but for now, it feels like it could do much much more for what its promising.
OVERALL: 8.5/10
There's much much more details one can get into regarding this game without spoiling content. The game plays much like one would expect for Doom from the 90s, but adding the story and background one loved from Doom 3. That said though, while it does try its best to deliver a story to give you reason to press forward, the game is very self aware of what most players are interested in, and its shown quite clearly in interactions with the Protagonist, often seeming to push aside exposition to get right back to work. Though there are moments of dialogue and mandatory scenes, all of them are short, and quickly ended once their point is made, leaving you to get back to work. That said, for lore hounds and story lovers, the game does cater to them as well, as logs, and occasional bits and pieces of information lay strewn about the environment for you to find.
Combat is the name of the game, however, as the game not just pushes that to the front, but celebrates it in an explosive manner. From using the Super Shotgun, to taking down a demon bare fisted, every aspect of the game is geared toward the absolute carnage you will inflect on the minions of hell. Glory Kills are also a mainstay in this game, allowing you to get in close and execute a demon in a rather vicious fashion, in turn dropping health and ammo, and even armor on the right circumstances. Every enemy is vulnerable to the Glory Kill, from the possessed all the way up to the Barons of Hell, and they are not limited to just one animation, the Glory Kill reacts to where you're looking and what part of the body you're focused on, making a fluid motion that makes it feel dynamic when dispatching enemies. The issue is that what is seen as a fun option starts to become more mandatory, as health gets chipped away more and more, relying on the Glory Kill tends to come as the only means to survive a heated fire fight, and in some circumstances, can make a fight seem to easy as you chain the Glory Kills. In essence, while its a risk / reward, favoring more the reward side, it also is a rewarding feature that encourages pure offensive gameplay. Even the Chainsaw, a fan favorite, becomes an animation kill coup-de-grace, where it will instantly kill a single demon at the cost of fuel for it ... and pending on the size of the demon, it can help single out a dangerous foe, and turn them into an ammo pinata. Again, this can cheapen the experience, making almost any enemy an ammo dump for your interest, however, it is completely optional.
While Doom has a few kinks in its otherwise impressive armor, it delivers a package everyone had been hoping for. With gusto and bloody messy details, it delivers it, hard and fast, and wild. If you're a fan of the Doom series, FPS action of the 90s, or both. This is the game you'll want. If you're looking for tactics, strategy, and realism, keep marching. This game is nothing but the guns, the gore, and the speed. A highly recommended game for this year to play!
Overall, a must have to any FPS Enthusiast of the 90s, or those who definitely enjoy the frantic pace of the Doom series (not including Doom 3).
Graphics: 10/10
Id Software went out of their way to make some solid effort to bring back the foreboding atmosphere to abandoned facilities all the way to Hell's jagged mountains and corridors. Every sight is as foreboding as it is impressive to the eye, not once leaving the proper atmosphere of the invasion of Mars. Enemies themselves are painstakingly put together in great detail from the Possessed all the way to the Cyberdemon (something you can inspect in great detail later in the game in the gallery). Special effects and particles all play out well, leaving the game a beautiful sight.
Audio: 8/10
Music composed to this game is a nostalgic gamer's dream mixed into a new players love for intense song. Mixing in old classic tunes from the old games for remixes for a modern finish that will speak to old school gamers while still leaving the newcomers enjoying the throbbing tone of a fight in their ears. There are times when the music difference can in fact feel a little jarring, as the difference between fights and exploration ambiance music can be as different as night and day. This does happen a bit in Hell as music can come between hard techno, to suddenly the hellish chorus and orchestra echoing in your speakers. However, the real treat comes from the work put into the guns and the monsters. Almost every gun in the game has avoided the 'nerf gun' feel of firing, from the combat shotgun's ringing blast, all the way to the chaingun firing at full throttle. Only one gun in the collection feels a bit disappointing, the pistol, while only really necessary early game, it never feels like its got much impact in the sound of the shot, but this is minor.
Gameplay: 9/10
It's fast, its chaos, and its gory. The Devs really did listen to their fans this time around, trading the creeping and paranoid inducing feeling of Doom 3, and replacing it with fast run n' gun action that leaves it dangerous to stop at any point in the fight. Of course, there are small respites you can find here and there between fights that allow you to take a breath, but at the same time, while the game is fast paced and chaotic, it doesn't discourage exploration either. With secrets and badly needed supplies everywhere, you can always back track, as most of the time, it'll be rare a portion of the map will be gated off after a certain amount of progress. There are a few negative points, such as the over reliance of the Glory Kill system, especially in later levels where its not an option, its almost mandatory. (Details discussed below) However, every punch, every shot, ever messy take down brings a satisfying sense of speed and thrill that few FPS grasp these days.
Longevity / Replayability: 9/10
Contrary to rumors, DOOM is packed with content from start to finish, most of it all in the Singleplayer, which after my playthrough, lasted between 18-20 hours on the highest difficulty available right out of the box (Ultra-Violence). From secrets, challenges in every map, collectibles to obtain, weapon mods to add to your arsenal, its quite a bit to all get. Thankfully, all this is not locked away should you miss it on finishing a map. You can return to any map any time with all currently obtained equipment and upgrades, allowing you to use the advantage to take on a challenge, or get a leg up to finally reach that possible secret you were having trouble with. That said, all secrets and challenges can be done with the default gear you have during that part of the game. (Eg. No challenges / secrets that cannot be reached without double jump in maps prior to obtaining that skill). After completing the game, you still have time to challenge yourself with two new difficulty settings (Acting much like New Game+), Nightmare, and Ultra-Nightmare, where the latter throws the challenge of permadeath. SnapMap and Multiplayer also add to this, but we'll get into that next.
Multiplayer: 6.5/10
Regretfully, once you load the Multiplayer up, be it SnapMap or Standard Multiplayer, the game changes drastically from its fast paced Singeplayer counterpart. The multiplayer works on a loadout and leveling system, most of which rewards you with cosmetics. Gameplay-wise, the speed is taken down several notches, and the wild combat is somewhat muted, as the guns don't quite have the same impact, and since they are given in loadouts, guns like the Super Shotgun and Rocket Launcher don't quite have the impact folks would expect. There are options to run classical rules, but some of these matches seem devoid of players at this time. Sadly, this part of the game feels shoehorned, simply there to make multiplayer a 'thing' in Doom, which fails to quite grasp the feeling of urgency and intensity.
SnapMap, however, does add some creative credence to the idea of custom work and mod work, adhering to the idea that Doom is a mod friendly game. However, in that same stroke, actual mods of the games players could make are no longer viable. SnapMap replaces this by giving folks tools to make their own maps from between staged Multiplayer, deadly onslaught mode coop, to even missions of their very own to test other players. Including trials to test your modding skill to improve / complete a map, to letting you publish and share your work. More and more features in regards to cosmetics, textures, and objects. The downside is that the setup is rather simplistic, and scripts are rather dumbed down, making it easy for newcomers, but more advance map makers are left wanting more. Possible upgrades later, but for now, it feels like it could do much much more for what its promising.
OVERALL: 8.5/10
There's much much more details one can get into regarding this game without spoiling content. The game plays much like one would expect for Doom from the 90s, but adding the story and background one loved from Doom 3. That said though, while it does try its best to deliver a story to give you reason to press forward, the game is very self aware of what most players are interested in, and its shown quite clearly in interactions with the Protagonist, often seeming to push aside exposition to get right back to work. Though there are moments of dialogue and mandatory scenes, all of them are short, and quickly ended once their point is made, leaving you to get back to work. That said, for lore hounds and story lovers, the game does cater to them as well, as logs, and occasional bits and pieces of information lay strewn about the environment for you to find.
Combat is the name of the game, however, as the game not just pushes that to the front, but celebrates it in an explosive manner. From using the Super Shotgun, to taking down a demon bare fisted, every aspect of the game is geared toward the absolute carnage you will inflect on the minions of hell. Glory Kills are also a mainstay in this game, allowing you to get in close and execute a demon in a rather vicious fashion, in turn dropping health and ammo, and even armor on the right circumstances. Every enemy is vulnerable to the Glory Kill, from the possessed all the way up to the Barons of Hell, and they are not limited to just one animation, the Glory Kill reacts to where you're looking and what part of the body you're focused on, making a fluid motion that makes it feel dynamic when dispatching enemies. The issue is that what is seen as a fun option starts to become more mandatory, as health gets chipped away more and more, relying on the Glory Kill tends to come as the only means to survive a heated fire fight, and in some circumstances, can make a fight seem to easy as you chain the Glory Kills. In essence, while its a risk / reward, favoring more the reward side, it also is a rewarding feature that encourages pure offensive gameplay. Even the Chainsaw, a fan favorite, becomes an animation kill coup-de-grace, where it will instantly kill a single demon at the cost of fuel for it ... and pending on the size of the demon, it can help single out a dangerous foe, and turn them into an ammo pinata. Again, this can cheapen the experience, making almost any enemy an ammo dump for your interest, however, it is completely optional.
While Doom has a few kinks in its otherwise impressive armor, it delivers a package everyone had been hoping for. With gusto and bloody messy details, it delivers it, hard and fast, and wild. If you're a fan of the Doom series, FPS action of the 90s, or both. This is the game you'll want. If you're looking for tactics, strategy, and realism, keep marching. This game is nothing but the guns, the gore, and the speed. A highly recommended game for this year to play!
Eodred
~eodred
May have to pick this one up! I am glad for once that multiplayer is an afterthought. Most games nowdays make the the single player the afterthought. I hate pvp with a passion.
