It's a shame what hype can do to a game. Unfortunatly some people had such high expectations for Doom 3 that they would be dissapointed with whatever ID gave them. People were expecting Doom 3 to be a revolutionary game, and in all honesty it isn't. However, ID set out to remake the original Doom with better graphics, more involving gameplay and atmosphere that could make even the most hardened gamer wet their pants. ID has accomplished everything that they set out to do, and Doom 3 delivers.
Graphics-10: What else can I say? You've probably read all about them in many of the other reviews that you have read, so I wont go into much detail. One thing I will add though is that Hell probably has some of the greatest level design in any game PERIOD. Hell looks almost exactly like I would have imagined it, and it really messes with your head.
Sound-9.5: Overall very well done. There is no music in the game, Doom 3 relies on atmospheric noise and it does a very good job at it. I have only one complaint about the sounds and that is the footsteps, you have the same sounding footsteps no matter what kind of surface you walk on. It would have been nice to have footsteps like System Shock 2 or Theif where different surfaces make different noises, but this is really kind of nitpicking the smaller things.
Gameplay-9: The gameplay is a mixture between System Shock 2 and Half Life. The story is played out ala Sytem Shock 2 with audio logs and emails, while there are plenty of scripted events like Half Life. Amazingly, it still 'feels' like I'm playing a Doom game. Even though the game is partially all about atmosphere, there is still plenty of demon blasting to be had here. Often times you will be surrounded by enemies firing wildy in all directions. The level design can get a bit repetitive mid game, but once you reach the Delta labs things REALLY start to pick up.
Lasting Appeal-9.5: Many others would probably disagree with this score. However, not only does Doom 3 have a lenghty single player mode (I am still playing at 20+ hours) that is worth playing through again but the modding capabilites of this game are unlimmited. Don't like the dissolving bodies? Download a mod to make the bodies stay. Don't like the fact that you can only use the flashlight without your weapons? There is a mod for that already as well, and this is all in the first week! Granted, multiplayer is rather weak, but the mod community is really going to take off with this one.
Overall-9.5: Don't let the hype machine get to you on this one. While Doom 3 is not a revolutionary game, it is still very fun to play and I have enjoyed every single minute of it. If you liked System Shock 2, Half Life or enjoyed the movie Aliens, Doom 3 will fit you like a glove. If you don't like First Person shooters, Doom 3 won't convert you. But for the rest of us, Doom 3 is the best $55 you will spend in a long time.
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