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Saito
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So now that it’s here and we can actually test a full official build of the game, how does it stack up. (I am almost done with it)
Let me be blunt and honest up front, I went into this game with high expectations, very high, and I am very picky about games in general.
For me ID’s games have always been something of a mixed blessing. They are always quality products and redefine what an engine should be/can do, they also have lasting power and as a general rule you can buy one knowing you are going to play it for a long time, even if devoid of any real plot or meaning. However doom3 attempts to break free from the standard ID shooter mold by actually having a plot and working with the story.
I don’t think I am the only one who will say the attempt at the plot is weak, but it works. I didn’t find it added anything, and at times the voice acting was corny, but it does the job of pushing a story into what is at heart a very basic shooter.
However this isn’t a bad thing at all. The simple weapons and gameplay is pretty close to the way some of us started FPS gaming. It also lets you concentrate less on what trick jump your going to pull, and more on the environment.
Which brings me back to the plot line, yeah its simplistic and flat out cheesy at times, but it gets the job done. Let me also make one more assertion, we bought this game to blow up demons, not to listen to people yack up a storm. The plot is fine in that it doesn’t intrude on fragging time much, but it does help convey just why we are going postal on the poor minions of hell.
This game was also sold as being scary, which it is… but not so much as I expected. The scare is in the lighting and it plays on anticipation, you always have that sense you are about to get whooped, and it makes the game tense. I didn’t find it scary in terms of psychology, but scary in terms of that feeling that you are about to get owned. There are some parts of the game where I thought “that’s just f-ing wrong” but they were few and far between.
On the hardware issue, yeah the game is a monster. However it runs damn well in low res, and looks great. Nvidia and ATI are really just scare-mongering you to buy their new products, granted I am sure the game looks godly on them, but my 9700 pro is still chugging along and runs the game well. Word of caution the game likes to crash (I am not the only one with this issue either) so be aware of this and save allot.
Multiplayer: yep the big question, just how well will a single player game stack up. To be honest I am not impressed at all, but I like it. Its old, it’s been there done that gameplay, and it feels kind of odd. However it’s simplistic DM and still loads of fun. The weapons don’t seem balanced very well (note I have only played a few matches I may just eat those words later) and the maps weren’t all I had hoped for. It’s not that it’s bad, its just not what I had expected it to be, maybe I am being to picky, or maybe I am right, time will tell.
So I guess in conclusion the game is what it was made out to be, and it’s a great purchase. Also bear in mind the game is new so my shoot from the hip conclusions aren’t the best. I am sure my views will change over time (note I have the right to retract and alter statements I made because I am god). The single player is solid for sure, and time will tell on the multiplayer. I don’t think my quick random games with some people that I know (and some random sap on a pub) are enough for me to stand on high and make a call, but it was intuitive as to where the play may go.
So back to the game, and I hope you all are having as much fun as I am
My PC
CPU P4EE Gallitan core socket 478 @ 4.2ghz, Abit IC7-G Max 3, 2 gb PC4000 corsair xms, PC Power and cooling 510 psu, Albatron 6800gt @ ultra, Creative Audigy 2 ZS, Cooler master wave master case, Switech Liquid Cooling, Dual NEC 22 inch CRT, Klipch Pro Media 5.1, Senn HD280 pro, MS 3.0, Steel S&S, logitech elite.
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| 08/04/04 00:36 |
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shortround-
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Yes, the mp is obviously needing work- I hope the modding community can do for doom 3 what they did for halflife...
In my opinion, the way the singleplayer was done is flawless. I didn't expect and intriguing story with plot twists, I expected Doom at its cheesiest, and that is exactly what I got. The phobia elements are set up PERFECTLY throughout every level... multiple times I have found my self screaming like a little girl.
The graphics may be what got everyone interested in this game... but I'd say the sound quality surpassed the graphics quality and left it in the dust.
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| 08/04/04 17:28 |
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Saito
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I’d agree, I honestly didn’t find it that impressive graphically.
The models are low poly count, and the textures for the levels aren’t very impressive at all.
What is mind boggling is the lighting effects and the various working monitors around the area… the rest is kinda meh. However the lighting does a damn good job at what it is intended for. Even though I tend to think most of us cranked the gama and brightness.
And yes the 3d sound is amazing, and its creepy as all hell.
The phobia elements are great, placed just right. The first one that got me was placed very well. I had gotten into my “open door scan clean out, recheck next room” routine, and the game was boring me… and then I got hit by the first of them and nearly lept out of my chair.
Perhaps I am being unduly critical of the game, it is after all graphically amazing. I tend to think that most of us will need a hardware upgrade to truly appreciate it.
My PC
CPU P4EE Gallitan core socket 478 @ 4.2ghz, Abit IC7-G Max 3, 2 gb PC4000 corsair xms, PC Power and cooling 510 psu, Albatron 6800gt @ ultra, Creative Audigy 2 ZS, Cooler master wave master case, Switech Liquid Cooling, Dual NEC 22 inch CRT, Klipch Pro Media 5.1, Senn HD280 pro, MS 3.0, Steel S&S, logitech elite.
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| 08/04/04 20:16 |
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shortround-
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Im running nothing more than a currently 150 dollar 5700 ultra, with a 90 dollar athlon xp 2600+... 512 megs ram...
At high detail, 800x600 (thats fucking beautiful, if you're wondering) i don't drop below 40 fps in firefights, and generally keep 60 while walking normally.
They have done a great job of bringing the requirements of this game down a GREAT deal.
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| 08/04/04 23:34 |
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ThePope
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I'd agree with most of what has been said. However, I think the basic multiplayer is quite a lot of fun. It's quite entertaining to go back to a game thats based squarely on shooting your opponent more rather than grabbing more gadgets or objectives than him. However, I think it will need some kind of comp mod at the very least to have much staying power, as the weapon balance (although I didn't think it was bad, just ordinary) needs tweaking and there needs to be some more maps. I haven't been playing it long enough to decide what would need to be in such a mod though.
I think the single player would have benefited from some monsters who did something other than just try to kill you at the first opportunity. A creature that appeared as a normal human until you let down your guard then tried to kill you when your guard was down, or one that used the shadows to follow you around until you were busy fighting something else would be fun. Monsters spawning back into earlier areas so that you wouldn't always have a safe place to run back to would have also improved the fear factor significantly.
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| 08/05/04 02:36 |
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The Shaman
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This game is just straight up eerie... It's hard to play for more than about 3 or 4 hours. Having to use a flashlight everywhere I look and narrowing my field of vision while having strange shadows and objects pass in front of the minimal lightsources available definitely works on the nerves.
If this game isn't disturbing to you, you should definitely seek help immediately :P
The art of programming is finding patterns where others see only chaos...
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| 08/05/04 03:14 |
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shortround-
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Yeh... I've found if I play much longer than my 1.5 hour spurts... My heart starts beating slightly louder than the fake heart beating in the game. Now that is fucked up.
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| 08/05/04 11:32 |
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Saito
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drink heavily
My PC
CPU P4EE Gallitan core socket 478 @ 4.2ghz, Abit IC7-G Max 3, 2 gb PC4000 corsair xms, PC Power and cooling 510 psu, Albatron 6800gt @ ultra, Creative Audigy 2 ZS, Cooler master wave master case, Switech Liquid Cooling, Dual NEC 22 inch CRT, Klipch Pro Media 5.1, Senn HD280 pro, MS 3.0, Steel S&S, logitech elite.
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| 08/08/04 22:27 |
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robbielodge333
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I went into this game game thinking little of it. I heard about the hype and I wanted to check it out for myself...I was amazed. The graphics are pretty good, lighting outstanding and the audio is amazing. Its what makes the game great. Everything is perfectly placed, where you least expect it!
10 out of 10!!!
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| 05/15/05 20:52 |
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shameful_larva
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My only reaction to this game has been: Screaming and wiping my sweaty palms on my pants after a heated battle.
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| 05/18/05 20:18 |
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shameful_larva
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My only reaction to this game has been: Screaming and wiping my sweaty palms on my pants after a heated battle.
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| 05/18/05 20:19 |
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shameful_larva
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My only reaction to this game has been: Screaming and wiping my sweaty palms on my pants after a heated battle.
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| 05/18/05 20:19 |
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shameful_larva
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What the heck, triplets!
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| 05/18/05 20:19 |
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