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Doom 3 - Definitely Worth The Wait?
Thanks to 1UP for their borderline-gonzo article discussing how the extended wait for Doom 3 is affecting opinions of it. The naysaying author of the piece argues that id's FPS sequel "...possesses many appreciable graphical highlights, [but] much of its beauty comes from techniques that are rapidly becoming standards. Normal mapping and dynamic lighting are nothing new, and companies like Ion Storm Austin and Crytek are proving that anyone can do it." He goes on to stake out his position clearly: "I am certain Doom will be great fun for what it is, but I just don't know if fans of the original and its Serious [Sam] inspiring style will dig something paced so radically different. I am also unsure of whether or not action gamers... will buy into a title that seems to lack the excessive fiction, approachability and interactivity that drive practically all of today's modern games." Update: 11/27 17:18 GMT by S : There's also a new mini-interview with John Carmack regarding Doom 3 over at CGW.
Except that word on the street is that it isn't going to be a fragfest. It seems it will go more for the Biohazard approach of spookyness...which is problematic, as Doom is all about the superfragging.
Personally, I'm more worried that their screenshots include spider enemies...I just can't help imagining the game being full of crates and colored keycards.
I played the leaked alpha, and I loved it. It scared the crap out of me, and half the monsters weren't even 'activated', and didn't attack.
no one who has played the alpha would bicker about it. those of us who have, know how good it can potentially be.
The article is right most of the features that made Doom 3 look "unique" will be almost standard by the time it comes out (pixel lighting) , deus ex 2, halo 2 use visual effects that make doom look a bit.. not so impressive anymore.
However if you had the chance to play and/or see the demos at the quakecon (or the E3 if you were so lucky) I have to tell you this: DOOM 3 still stands from the competition as one of the best Horror games ever seen. The ambience of dread can only be matched by games like "silent hill" and still is not close to the fps experience.
Doom 3 is not about shooting wave after wave of enemies though, is more like being scared to death of demons that pop out of the dark to (literally) rip your insides out! and no, non believers this is not RE, RE looks like "Mario Sunnyland" compared to this. We are talking demons that each other entrails as you watch, satanic posesions that make peoples eyes explode in their sockets, giant invisible ghosts capable of tearing you limb by limb, guns that leave bullet holes the size of an orange , shotguns that spray walls and ceilings in red with photorealistic quality, we are talking psych trauma material here! if there has ever been truly deserving the AO rating is probably this one. (parents keep you kids as FAR as possible!
Like in all cases I recommend you wait for the actual game before drawing conclussions imo you wont be dissapointed, you will be scared (and probably regreetful) but you wont be dissapointed.
btw. You probably didnt knew but doom 3 features an incredible physics engine (which includes fluids for the gruel animations and doors that can be broken by demons among other things), rumor is after seing the half life 2 "demo" the guys at ID went and added more interactions with it so it could be at pair with their competition. Expect doom3 to be amazing in this department (and it already was)
DosBox.
Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
"Quick doom3 normal mapping demo in Blitz3d"