Reviews

    Doom 3 is one of the most anticipated games in a long time. 

    Doom 3 features the best graphics available on PC right now, although the system requirements are steep.  Thankfully, the game has a few different graphics modes so players with lesser systems can still enjoy the game at a decent framerate, and the quality even on low or medium quality is still really good.  If your system can handle high or ultra quality, the game looks absolutely amazing, with detailed textures, realistic looking enemies, and the best real-time lighting I've ever seen in a game.  The game is really dark, with lights flickering off to provide a scary atmosphere, and it works, as enemies will jump out of shadows to attack you, providing excitement that doesn't exist in other games.

    The sound in Doom 3 is just as impressive as the graphics, especially if you have a 5.1 surround sound speaker setup.  The game sounds the same regardless of hardware, so it will sound the same on a generic 5.1 setup as it will on an expensive Sound Blaster Audigy setup.  Sound can give you an excellent clue when enemies are near, and where they are, as you will hear them groan and make noise, and you can tell what direction it is coming from.  It also helps add to the creepy atmosphere by adding screams in the distance and noises that just help keep you on edge.

    The gameplay in Doom 3 pays great homage to the original games.  If you're looking for something extremely revolutionary, you won't find it, but if you're looking for classic Doom gameplay, this is the game for you.  The enemies aren't particularly smart, but they were never intended to be, you're fighting mindless demons from Hell, not super-intelligent aliens from another planet.  For the most part, enemies come right after you and attack, with little intelligence, although some of the Zombie-Marines do dodge shots and attack from around corners.  Many times you will find yourself walking through a room only to find an enemy you didn't see lurking in the shadows in your face and attacking before you can fire a shot.  Doom 3 includes all the classic weapons from the old games, including the shotgun, minigun, rocket launcher, and of course the BFG-9000, among others.

    The level design in Doom 3 is very well done as well.  The levels are constructed similar to the original game, where the player has to make his way through the level, finding keycards to get through, although this time they added security codes that you have to find by picking up the PDA's of fallen soldiers to get the right security clearance.  There are also keycards to be found, just like in the other games, and even some doors that just won't open until all the enemies in the area are defeated.  In addition, some objectives have been added that make the levels more interesting.  For example, in one level you reach a door that you need to get through, only to discover the power generator in the level is out, and there isn't enough power to open the doors, so you have to find the power generator, and get it running again before you can get through the door and to the end of the level.

    Despite the long wait, Doom 3 definitely lives up to the hype that led up to its release.  It pays great homage to the original games, with excellent gameplay, great sound, and brilliant graphics.  If you are a fan of the first person shooter genre, or just want a good game to play, this is the game for you!