Duke Nukem 3d Review

Hi everyone! It's been quite a while since I've skipped two days before I've put up a review, so my sincere apologies. I was busy on Thursday, and I had a bad day Friday. So much so, that writing a review for some reason would have ticked me off. Luckily, I'm past that, and I'm typing now. As I promised in my Strike Witches review, I said that I was going to do something old school, and I am. So, here's a review for the mid-90s classic, Duke Nukem 3d.

Story
Just like Duke Nukem Forever, the story for Duke Nukem 3d is quite simplistic: A race of genetically modified aliens invades the earth while Duke was fighting the Rigelatins some time during Duke Nukem 2. When he returns, he craft is shot down, but luckily he survives by jumping out of the burning vessel. He then realizes (after cracking his knuckles) that he's in a nearly abandoned Los Angeles, where women are being used for the alien's amusement, and pornography has become the only entertainment source left. He later goes into space during the second episode, then comes back down to LA to finish the job. With the installment of the Plutonium Pak, Duke continues his mission to fight off the alien bastards on Earth, and rescue the lovely ladies that want Duke oh so badly.

Like Duke Nukem Forever, this game as a basic story, and I can get behind that.

Setting
Whereas DNF took place in Las Vegas and some surrounding territories, Duke Nukem 3d mainly stayed within the confines of Los Angeles, and a brief outing into space during episode 2. The fourth episode within the Plutonium Pak introduced a variety of locations, including a grocery store, a theme park, and just before the final boss, a massive oil tanker. For obvious reasons, none of the levels in episode 2 are believable, but many of the levels in episodes 1, 3, and 4 are quite believable as far as locations are concerned. The section of Hollywood Boulevard and the adjoining theater appear believable, as well as the hotel in episode 3, and the grocery store in episode 4.

I really liked a lot of these levels. It's ironic to note that when PC Gamer reviewed Duke Nukem 3d back in 96, the only bad thing about the game, and I quote, was "Some levels may be confusing for some gamers".

Characters
Unlike DNF, Duke is pretty much the only character to speak of in this game. There are absolutely no other characters for Duke to interact with, and that's okay, cause Duke Nukem 3d is a one-man show. Just like with Duke Nukem Forever, Jon St. John provides the bravado and machoness for his signature character, and gives a great performance like he always does.

Gameplay
This is where Duke Nukem 3d falters in the modern age, and where Duke Nukem Forever faltered...to an extent. Just like DNF, DN3d consists of killing aliens, look for keycards (keycards don't exist in DNF), completing some puzzles, and finding the exit. Unlike DNF however, DN3d has a more traditional health system that you can find in other FPS games of the time. When you get hurt, to have to find things to regenerate health (health packs, toilets, and water fountains), and you carry around 10 weapons instead of 4. Your inventory in DN3d is also larger, and holds the following:

Portable Medkit
Steroids (the DN3d version increases your speed for a few seconds instead of your strength)
Night Vision Goggles
Holoduke (this version stays in one place, doesn't fire back, and doesn't cloak you)
Protective Boots
Scuba Gear
Jetpack (DNF only has this in multiplayer)

As you can see, this inventory is much more varied, and the pipe bombs and trip mines in DNF are weapons instead of items.

I don't necessarily mind this system, as it's easy to grasp, and doesn't require much in the way of brain power. With modern gamers however, they can easily see this as archaic and basic. Speaking of which...

Graphics & Sound
These are really the only parts of Duke Nukem 3d that haven't aged well. Contrary to the name, this games is actually a 2.5d game instead of a 3d game. Basically, a 2.5d game is when numerous 2d layers are put on top of each other, giving the illusion of being a 3d game. The illusion works quite well, even to this day.

The sprites that inhabit the game, unfortunately, are still 2d. Their designs still look a little cool, but they literally fall flat against the environment. When using the mouse, it distorts the graphics because of a lack of perspective correction. Your best bet when playing is to not use the mouse, and just simply point your gun in the directions of where the aliens come, then blast them right in the face.

The sounds also haven't aged well, as the aliens and weapons don't sound as fierce as they used to be. with only two exceptions. The first is Duke's voice, as it still sounds...well, kickass! The second exception is a little more surprising. Despite sounding incredibly basic, the music in the game still sounds great, as in conjures up images of a more nostalgic time, where games weren't as complex as many of them are now.

Overall & Rating
Despite it's age, Duke Nukem 3d is still a great game to play. It's a bit more fast paced than DNF, but the style of gameplay, not to mention the central voice actor, remain the same. It's really the graphics and sound systems that haven't done well over the years. And before you tell me, I do know about the high resolution pack for the game. Although it doesn't update the sounds, to me it actually makes the game look hideous. I really enjoy the old look, and for nostalgic reasons, I want to keep that archaic look.

Duke Nukem 3d gets a 7 to 8 out of 10.

See you all next week. Until then, stay Otaku!