Nerdkiller
Membeur
Come one, come all, fellow gamers. Boys, girls, men, women, zombiemen, shotgun guys, heavy weapon dudes and other various hellspawn of all ages, gather 'round as we celebrate a game that has done no part other than help evolve a young industry in a way that not even the Monolith in 2001 could do. This is...
What is this game?
Doom is a science fiction horror-themed first-person shooter video game by id Software. Considered by many to be one of the most influential games to have ever been released, Doom paved the way in how we use chainsaws in a manner of cutting things other than blocks of wood. Oh. And showing the world that First Person Shooters were a thing, now.
The game puts you in the boots of the man that many have dubbed as "Doomguy". A marine who is thought to be one of Earth's toughest, hardened in combat and trained for action. Incarcerated on Mars after assaulting a senior officer when ordered to fire upon civilians, he works alongside the Union Aerospace Corporation (UAC), a multi-planetary conglomerate and military contractor performing secret experiments on interdimensional travel. Recently, the teleportation has shown signs of anomalies and instability, but the research continues nonetheless.
Suddenly, something goes wrong and creatures from Hell swarm out of the teleportation gates on Deimos and Phobos. A defensive response from base security fails to halt the invasion, and the bases are quickly overrun by monsters; all personnel are killed or have been turned into zombies.
A military detachment from Mars travels to Phobos to investigate the incident. The player is tasked with securing the perimeter, as the assault team and their heavy weapons are brought inside. Radio contact soon ceases and the player realizes that he is the only survivor. Being unable to pilot the shuttle off of Phobos by himself, the only way to escape is to go inside and fight through the complexes of the moon base.
Okay, I get the point. What's the gameplay like?
This ain't your chocolate milk sippin' kid's FPS (okay, maybe Chex Quest). Basically, you're tasked with getting from Point A to Point B (no Superintendent Chalmers, there is no Point C on weekends) in a variety of 8 levels per episode (9 if you count the secret ones) with 3 episodes that follow the main story (a fourth, Thy Flesh Consumed, was patched in later and was released physically in stores as part of The Ultimate Doom, the game's first retail release). Usually, it's as simple as a click of the fingers, but later levels tend to mix it up by having you go search for keys that are colour coded to the doors that they open. Along the way, you might happen to bump into secrets which tend to contain a variety of useful goods. New weapons, ammo, stockpiles of health and of course, the Soulsphere. This helped encourage exploration in a manner that tends to get lost in most shooters these days.
But enough of that. What about the actual gunplay? Well, if you've played vanilla versions of Doom, it goes like this. Your aiming is stuck on a level field in which you can only aim left and right...WAIT, come back! It's actually better than it sounds. While the aiming is fairly straightforward, the gunplay is greatly refined and oh so satisfying. Nothing beats blowing away half a dozen imps and zombiemen with your Super Shotgun. In total, you have 7 weapons (8 in Doom II), not counting the fist as a weapon. The pistol (your starting weapon and the useless one to encourage you to get a better gun), the Shotgun, Super Shotgun (the Doom II only one), Chaingun, Rocket Launcher, Plasma gun and BFG-9000.
Cool. What platforms can I get it on?
Well, for starters, you can get it on Steam at the low, low price of €9.99 or your regional equivalent.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/2280/
But since I like you so much, I'm gonna link you Doom II and Final Doom while I'm at it.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/2300/
http://store.steampowered.com/app/2290/
Actually, I'm just gonna link you the bundle, which includes all these games, plus Master Levels for Doom II for €14.99.
http://store.steampowered.com/sub/18397/
These versions contain the DOSbox emulator, so you can play it the way they were originally meant to be played, back in the day, but if you want it play it in a more modern way, we'll get to that later.
And since we're talking about various versions of the game here, let's talk about those instead (for convenience's sake, I'm only going to detail the official console versions released, so no source ports for the Sega Mark III, please).
Atari Jaguar: This is actually the port that many other versions of Doom of the same generation are based on and one of the highlights of the Jag's library. It contains most of the levels from the PC version (22 out of the 27 from Doom's original release, but has 2 additional levels not found in the DOS original), however, it lacks the Cyberdemon, the Spider Mastermind and the Spectre, as well as in game music, for some reason.
Sega 32X: This port, by many, has been described as...well, rushed, and it shows. It only contains the first 2 episodes (save for one level), which means no BFG-9000 without using cheats. And let's not forget the terrible, terrible music, which the Angry Video Game Nerd famously described as sounding like "farts".
PlayStation: This is probably the port that the most people have played yet and arguably, the best port of its generation. Two obvious additions are the coloured lighting and a new, somewhat creepy soundtrack. It contains most of the first 3 episodes of Doom (23 out of 27), 5 of the levels of the "Thy Flesh Consumed" episode, 6 levels created by Midway themselves as well as the inclusion of Doom II, containing 23 levels from that game. The Arch-Vile isn't included in this version and in its place, is the Nightmare Spectre, which is basically a greener, tougher version of the normal Spectre.
SNES: Unlike the other versions of Doom mentioned before, this one is not based on the Jaguar port. Instead, a brand new engine was built from the ground up to support this game running on lower hardware, with the Super FX chip assisting it. 22 of the original game's levels are present, however, since the game's sprites are only facing the front, monster infighting is impossible. Not to mention if you even see an enemy, it'll immediately attack you. However, unlike the 32X and Jaguar versions, this actually does contain the Cyberdemon and the Spider Mastermind, but lacks the Spectre. And unlike all the other versions of the game on consoles (up until the Xbox 360 version) this was actually capable of online multiplayer via the XBAND modem (whereas most console versions could only do a direct local link up). However, the online was fairly crude (you only faced against one opponent and his sprite is always facing you lacks animation, as well as a lack of sound effects, possibly to cut down on lag), but it was functional, as demonstrated here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P3JGxBNUyM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jONkFljFrck).
3DO: This is often regarded as one of the worst official Doom ports and boy, you can see why. The framerate is atrocious. To even get it at an acceptable level, you have to shrink the screen, which is already problematic when you're trying to go though the level. But if there is a plus to this game, it in that it has a pretty bitchin' soundtrack (for example, At Doom's Gate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjEx292Ph8M). Not much else other than that it has the same levels as the Jaguar version.
Sega Saturn: Mostly a straight port of the PlayStation version. All the levels, music, and enemies that were present from that version are here in this one. However, it has a worse framerate, it no longer has the regular and Nightmare Spectres and lacks the coloured lighting, the animated fire skybox and the echoed sound effects.
Game Boy Advance: Sharing the same levels as the Jag port, this version is notable for its censored content. Enemies now bleed green and disappear after a few seconds after being killed (this continued with the GBA version of Doom II, which also censored the secret Wolfenstein levels). Because of this, it was the first version of Doom that was allowed to be sold in Germany, as the others were indexed for content. Another feature is that this is the first console version to include the 4 player multiplayer that was present in the PC version (all other versions could only do up to 2).
Xbox: This is the first version of the game since the SNES port to not have its code based on the Jaguar version. Included with (as well as Doom II) the Collecter's Edition for Doom 3, it was the first version of the game to include split screen multiplayer. It also contained 2 new secret levels, as well as being the first version of the game to include all the levels from all 4 episodes of the original PC game.
Xbox 360: Much like the Xbox version before it, this port includes all the levels from the PC original. But now not only does it include split screen multiplayer, but online as well. Both co-op and deathmatch.
PlayStation 3: Pretty much the same game as the 360 version, but with one exception...no server browser for online multiplayer. Frankly, I think that this was a stupid decision on whoever made this port, as I think that matchmaking is a terrible way of finding an online game. Especially since there's no late join, which only hurts communities even more.
But I've already played Doom more times than I can remember. What have you got that'll make it new again?
Well, for one thing, there's this mod known as Brutal Doom. Not only does this add more graphical additions and gore, but it also changes the gameplay in a way that'll make you think that you're playing a new game. Most weapons now have an alt fire, as well as brand new weapons, with the rifle replacing the useless pistol, the addition of the Reverent's shoulder mounted seeker rocket launcher and the Mancubus' flame cannon. The mod requires a ZDoom based source port to run, and out of all of them, I recommend Zandronum, which is an online focused source port which allows for easy access to multiplayer via the included server browser (though, I prefer to use Internet Doom Explorer instead of Doomseeker for server browsing). So if you want to play in a way that the original version of Doom could never do, there you go.
So...what else have you got to chip in in regards to Doom for its 20th?
What is this game?
Doom is a science fiction horror-themed first-person shooter video game by id Software. Considered by many to be one of the most influential games to have ever been released, Doom paved the way in how we use chainsaws in a manner of cutting things other than blocks of wood. Oh. And showing the world that First Person Shooters were a thing, now.
The game puts you in the boots of the man that many have dubbed as "Doomguy". A marine who is thought to be one of Earth's toughest, hardened in combat and trained for action. Incarcerated on Mars after assaulting a senior officer when ordered to fire upon civilians, he works alongside the Union Aerospace Corporation (UAC), a multi-planetary conglomerate and military contractor performing secret experiments on interdimensional travel. Recently, the teleportation has shown signs of anomalies and instability, but the research continues nonetheless.
Suddenly, something goes wrong and creatures from Hell swarm out of the teleportation gates on Deimos and Phobos. A defensive response from base security fails to halt the invasion, and the bases are quickly overrun by monsters; all personnel are killed or have been turned into zombies.
A military detachment from Mars travels to Phobos to investigate the incident. The player is tasked with securing the perimeter, as the assault team and their heavy weapons are brought inside. Radio contact soon ceases and the player realizes that he is the only survivor. Being unable to pilot the shuttle off of Phobos by himself, the only way to escape is to go inside and fight through the complexes of the moon base.
Okay, I get the point. What's the gameplay like?
This ain't your chocolate milk sippin' kid's FPS (okay, maybe Chex Quest). Basically, you're tasked with getting from Point A to Point B (no Superintendent Chalmers, there is no Point C on weekends) in a variety of 8 levels per episode (9 if you count the secret ones) with 3 episodes that follow the main story (a fourth, Thy Flesh Consumed, was patched in later and was released physically in stores as part of The Ultimate Doom, the game's first retail release). Usually, it's as simple as a click of the fingers, but later levels tend to mix it up by having you go search for keys that are colour coded to the doors that they open. Along the way, you might happen to bump into secrets which tend to contain a variety of useful goods. New weapons, ammo, stockpiles of health and of course, the Soulsphere. This helped encourage exploration in a manner that tends to get lost in most shooters these days.
But enough of that. What about the actual gunplay? Well, if you've played vanilla versions of Doom, it goes like this. Your aiming is stuck on a level field in which you can only aim left and right...WAIT, come back! It's actually better than it sounds. While the aiming is fairly straightforward, the gunplay is greatly refined and oh so satisfying. Nothing beats blowing away half a dozen imps and zombiemen with your Super Shotgun. In total, you have 7 weapons (8 in Doom II), not counting the fist as a weapon. The pistol (your starting weapon and the useless one to encourage you to get a better gun), the Shotgun, Super Shotgun (the Doom II only one), Chaingun, Rocket Launcher, Plasma gun and BFG-9000.
Cool. What platforms can I get it on?
Well, for starters, you can get it on Steam at the low, low price of €9.99 or your regional equivalent.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/2280/
But since I like you so much, I'm gonna link you Doom II and Final Doom while I'm at it.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/2300/
http://store.steampowered.com/app/2290/
Actually, I'm just gonna link you the bundle, which includes all these games, plus Master Levels for Doom II for €14.99.
http://store.steampowered.com/sub/18397/
These versions contain the DOSbox emulator, so you can play it the way they were originally meant to be played, back in the day, but if you want it play it in a more modern way, we'll get to that later.
And since we're talking about various versions of the game here, let's talk about those instead (for convenience's sake, I'm only going to detail the official console versions released, so no source ports for the Sega Mark III, please).
Atari Jaguar: This is actually the port that many other versions of Doom of the same generation are based on and one of the highlights of the Jag's library. It contains most of the levels from the PC version (22 out of the 27 from Doom's original release, but has 2 additional levels not found in the DOS original), however, it lacks the Cyberdemon, the Spider Mastermind and the Spectre, as well as in game music, for some reason.
Sega 32X: This port, by many, has been described as...well, rushed, and it shows. It only contains the first 2 episodes (save for one level), which means no BFG-9000 without using cheats. And let's not forget the terrible, terrible music, which the Angry Video Game Nerd famously described as sounding like "farts".
PlayStation: This is probably the port that the most people have played yet and arguably, the best port of its generation. Two obvious additions are the coloured lighting and a new, somewhat creepy soundtrack. It contains most of the first 3 episodes of Doom (23 out of 27), 5 of the levels of the "Thy Flesh Consumed" episode, 6 levels created by Midway themselves as well as the inclusion of Doom II, containing 23 levels from that game. The Arch-Vile isn't included in this version and in its place, is the Nightmare Spectre, which is basically a greener, tougher version of the normal Spectre.
SNES: Unlike the other versions of Doom mentioned before, this one is not based on the Jaguar port. Instead, a brand new engine was built from the ground up to support this game running on lower hardware, with the Super FX chip assisting it. 22 of the original game's levels are present, however, since the game's sprites are only facing the front, monster infighting is impossible. Not to mention if you even see an enemy, it'll immediately attack you. However, unlike the 32X and Jaguar versions, this actually does contain the Cyberdemon and the Spider Mastermind, but lacks the Spectre. And unlike all the other versions of the game on consoles (up until the Xbox 360 version) this was actually capable of online multiplayer via the XBAND modem (whereas most console versions could only do a direct local link up). However, the online was fairly crude (you only faced against one opponent and his sprite is always facing you lacks animation, as well as a lack of sound effects, possibly to cut down on lag), but it was functional, as demonstrated here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P3JGxBNUyM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jONkFljFrck).
3DO: This is often regarded as one of the worst official Doom ports and boy, you can see why. The framerate is atrocious. To even get it at an acceptable level, you have to shrink the screen, which is already problematic when you're trying to go though the level. But if there is a plus to this game, it in that it has a pretty bitchin' soundtrack (for example, At Doom's Gate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjEx292Ph8M). Not much else other than that it has the same levels as the Jaguar version.
Sega Saturn: Mostly a straight port of the PlayStation version. All the levels, music, and enemies that were present from that version are here in this one. However, it has a worse framerate, it no longer has the regular and Nightmare Spectres and lacks the coloured lighting, the animated fire skybox and the echoed sound effects.
Game Boy Advance: Sharing the same levels as the Jag port, this version is notable for its censored content. Enemies now bleed green and disappear after a few seconds after being killed (this continued with the GBA version of Doom II, which also censored the secret Wolfenstein levels). Because of this, it was the first version of Doom that was allowed to be sold in Germany, as the others were indexed for content. Another feature is that this is the first console version to include the 4 player multiplayer that was present in the PC version (all other versions could only do up to 2).
Xbox: This is the first version of the game since the SNES port to not have its code based on the Jaguar version. Included with (as well as Doom II) the Collecter's Edition for Doom 3, it was the first version of the game to include split screen multiplayer. It also contained 2 new secret levels, as well as being the first version of the game to include all the levels from all 4 episodes of the original PC game.
Xbox 360: Much like the Xbox version before it, this port includes all the levels from the PC original. But now not only does it include split screen multiplayer, but online as well. Both co-op and deathmatch.
PlayStation 3: Pretty much the same game as the 360 version, but with one exception...no server browser for online multiplayer. Frankly, I think that this was a stupid decision on whoever made this port, as I think that matchmaking is a terrible way of finding an online game. Especially since there's no late join, which only hurts communities even more.
But I've already played Doom more times than I can remember. What have you got that'll make it new again?
Well, for one thing, there's this mod known as Brutal Doom. Not only does this add more graphical additions and gore, but it also changes the gameplay in a way that'll make you think that you're playing a new game. Most weapons now have an alt fire, as well as brand new weapons, with the rifle replacing the useless pistol, the addition of the Reverent's shoulder mounted seeker rocket launcher and the Mancubus' flame cannon. The mod requires a ZDoom based source port to run, and out of all of them, I recommend Zandronum, which is an online focused source port which allows for easy access to multiplayer via the included server browser (though, I prefer to use Internet Doom Explorer instead of Doomseeker for server browsing). So if you want to play in a way that the original version of Doom could never do, there you go.
So...what else have you got to chip in in regards to Doom for its 20th?
Go easy on me since it's my first thread.
