Hands on impressions with Doom 3

Duke · 08-04-2004, 08:16 PM

Well I'm about 3 or 4 hours into the game and I must say, it's scaring the living crap out of me. A few things that really made me jump:

- I was trying to see behind some crates because that's not only where the goodies are normally found, but also a good hiding spot for demons, zombies, etc. I was focused on the crates so much that I was blindsided by a demon soldier which scared the crap out of me and lauched me out of my seat.
- Earlier in the game, you get to wander the Mars facility a bit and get familiarized with your PDA and the station. You get sent on a mission to locate a missing scientist and eventually find him. On the way, I walked into an empty bathroom, looked around, checked myself in the mirror and left. Later, after all hell breaks loose, I found myself curious about that very same bathroom. I entered and looked in the mirror. A cutscene then takes over, everything goes red, and I get to see myself begin to transform into a demon in front of my very own eyes in a room full of carnage. It's a very chilling scene and riddled my flesh with goosebumps.
- Today, I entered a room looking for a doctors PDA only to find the walls and roof with some strange growth on them moving snakelike inside the walls. It looked almost as if I was inside someones stomach. I was then jumped by a few fire demons, backed in a corner, and slashed badly. I killed them finally, then rounded a corner only to see the granddaddy demon come at me and put me out of my misery. I exited the game like a big chicken.

There is never a quiet moment in the game. Even when your not fighting for your life, the game is ripe with atmosphere. To say it's a complete bombardment of the senses is a ridiculous understatement. You either hear voices, whispers, screams, growls, gurgles, gunfire, sparks, explosions, laughs, or just machinery.

I must admit that when I started the game, I was a bit disappointed with the character models but I don't believe they were really intended to be much. The game clearly focuses around the damage opening a direct portal to hell creates and all the characters that go with it. To be honest, I think it's going to be a challenge to finish the game any time soon just because I find myself working up the courage to load up. I only play at night with the lights off for full effect tho.

IMO, you really can't do better in gaming these days. Although it's a typical first person shooter in the sense of action, it's far from typical when it comes to presentation. I definately recommend it to anyone!

Paul · 08-27-2004, 09:07 AM

Awesome game, I tackle it a couple nights a week when I have an hour or two to spare.

Duke · 08-28-2004, 01:30 AM

Cool, where are you in the game right now?

Paul · 08-28-2004, 04:00 PM

Only a couple hours in, administration area

but I've been enjoying it so far, it's freaky.

Duke · 08-28-2004, 06:39 PM

It only gets better the deeper you get into it. I think I'm in the opening stages of Mars City and the action is intense.

tm · 08-31-2004, 07:38 PM

it hasn't gotten repetitive for you Duke?

Duke · 09-01-2004, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tm

it hasn't gotten repetitive for you Duke?

I never got the game for a groundbreaking first person shooter experience, wide open expansive environments, vehicles or intense mulitiplayer action. From day 1, Carmack has been quoted saying this game was a purely singleplayer experience. The lighting, sounds and environment were designed to add to the element of terror and overall feeling of Doom. I've also seen some truly remarkable, unscripted things happen that really made the game memorable to me. I've seen a baddie step into the line of fire of another, get shot, turn on him and attack. I triggered the spawn of another who stepped out from his hiding spot only to be squashed between a wall and an approaching object. Also having the enemy attack you, not just hide but actually open doors and follow you is fantastic.

Somehow the game sux me into it. I've touched none of the settings and have taken time to explore every inch of every level. The game is rich with atmosphere and I've gotten caught up in it. When I start to get complacent or bored they always managed to throw a new suprise at me. I can honestly say it is the most engrossing singleplayer game I've ever experienced and will likely modify the game heavily to and play through nightmare mode.

tm · 09-01-2004, 12:52 AM

i didn't so much mean the MP v. SP aspect of it. it spooked me when i started playing, but didn't for long. too predictable. enter a room, monster (or monsters) jump out of a closet or hidden panel, shoot shoot shoot.

it's all very well done, and entertaining, and certainly nice to look at, but it just doesn't scare me. of course, i live with a woman planning a wedding, so i may be becoming immune to all terror.

Duke · 09-01-2004, 01:07 AM

I'm a bit more twitchy tm which is likely the fundamental difference here. I actually jumped out of my chair on a few occasions and had to walk away from the game several times because of how much it put me on edge.

Paul · 09-01-2004, 02:09 AM

Same Duke, this is one that actually had an effect on me, they've done a great job with this game!

Duke · 09-01-2004, 02:17 AM

I just hope they take this game to Earth in a sequel. If the game is this good now, I wonder what it will be like in 4 - 5 years when 64 bit computers or more commonplace and video cards have over 1 GB of RAM.