Doom 3 PC Review
id Software, 2004
Review by Raffman, September 26th, 2004
It's finally arrived; the wait is over. After the second Doom installment that was physically impossible to beat, players
like myself have been left wanting more. id Software has delivered everything I could have expected, and then threw in a ton
of extras that will blow you away. From the graphics engine that NASA engineers are jerking off to, to the glorious
presentations and intense soundtrack, this game needs to be in your library. For those of you who are broke and can't afford
it, save your money. Whore yourself out on your dorm floor for money (although some of you I hope are already doing that).
Start a campus bake-sale. The point is, do something because you need to get this game. It's that good. Oh, and if you
don't have a pretty intense video card I'd pick up one of those too. And a couple hundred megs of more memory.
Like any good trilogy or series for that matter, presentation is key. With trilogies come expectations, and for the most
part those expectations are high. In the case of the Doom series, Doom 3 has been one of the most hyped, most talked about
games ever, and for good reason. Maybe it was my anticipation, but starting Doom 3 up for the first time will get you in the
mood. From the familiar logos, to the eerie screams in the background, all the way to the easy to use menus, this game is
dark. If you've played Doom 3 already then you know exactly what I mean; this game is really fucking dark. Once you
start this game up, you'll know what I'm getting at. However, I'd recommend you make sure you can actually run the damn
thing before installing it, let alone buying it.
First off, click here to see the official game specifications straight from id Software. If your machine meets these, then
you should be fine. However if you're close or questionable, I wouldn't buy the game just because you may get a little
pissed off once you start playing; Doom 3 requires one helluva machine, but for good reason. Take for instance my machine: I
have a 1.2ghz Athlon, with 646mb ram, and a brand-new ATI 9800 PRO. While my processor speed floats around the minimum
required, the surplus of ram and the $350 ATI 9800 PRO more than make up for it. I run Doom 3 at nearly the highest
resolution, with all the effects on, and there's barely any FPS slowdown. The only slow part of the game is the loading
time; other than that Doom 3 runs as smooth as glass, and that makes Raffman one happy mo-fo! In layman's terms, make sure
your video card is top notch, or you might end up throwing your monitor down your floor's garbage shoot. That, I do not
recommend.
With the techinical jargon out of the way, let's talk graphics. This game is absolutely gorgeous. Hands down Doom 3 is the
best-looking FPS on the market without a doubt. Think I'm wrong? Then feel free to piss on my writing in the forums, if you
dare. From the environments to the character models, this game is fucking delicious. The screenshots alone do not do it
justice, hell neither do the video clips; only playing this game will you ever ascertain how sweet this game really is. I
encourage all of you when you jump into the game for the first time, whip out your trusty Mag-Lite flashlight and shine it
around. These environments are so freaking dark you're gonna be hitting the flashlight key all the time, so you'll get what
I mean. That new $3-400 video card you're gonna need for this will really show you just how impressive this game is; and
your video card as well!
If you've got a decent enough machine to run Doom 3, then your sound card should be at least somewhat decent. If you've got
a nice set of speakers you're in for a real treat; id Software went as far with the sound as they did with the graphics.
Here's a tip, turn off all the lights, turn up your surround sound, and then play the game. Hearing footsteps behind you in
these beautiful environments will freak the living hell out of you, especially when you can only see in the area your trust
Mag-Lite is pointing. Doom 3 is one helluva gaming experience. If the graphics and the awesome presentation doesn't put a
smile on your face, the sound will bitch-slap you and show you the proverbial light: Doom 3 is a gamer's utopia. With sound,
visuals, and presentation out of the way we can move on to the final grading category which arguably is the most important of
all: gameplay.
Don't judge a book by it's cover. That's a famous saying that is a smart philosphy to follow. Does it work for Doom 3? I
disagree - Doom 3 is a diamond in the rough due to the fact that it combines industry leading graphics with stellar sound and
outstanding gameplay. Yep you heard me right boy, I said outstanding gameplay. While you might argue that the AI could use
a little more meat, I feel that it's completely adequate. Although there's nothing revolutionary about Doom 3's gameplay
system, it gets the job done which is good enough for me. And for most of us I think, since the gamers who will be playing
this are mostly the die-hard fans that grew up playing the original Doom and Doom 2 titles. The gameplay aspect I enjoyed
most that is at least new to me is the incorporation of the flashlight. Like I've said countless times before, Doom 3 is
dark. Get that theme into your head. There's a reason the design team incorporated a Mag-Lite into your arsenal - you're
gonna need it! Having to use your flashlight half the time adds a spectacular element that really adds a sense or reality to
the game, because demons really like to hide in the shadows. Wait until you walk into a completely dark room and scan the
room for the first time with your flashlight; panning it around the room and then shining it right into the eyes of a
charging demonized Marine, giving you like two seconds to pull out your weapon of choice again in the pitch-black darkness in
hopes of staying alive. It's a rush to say the least, and it is an experience I think is worthy of shelling over a couple
hundred dollars for the latest video card.
Doom 3 will pull you in and never let you go. It will scare the shit out of you one moment, have you drooling the next, then
have you giggling like a little school girl all before the whole damn cycle repeats itself over again. Good movies are good
movies because they can play with your emotions. Good games can do exactly the same thing, and Doom 3 is a great
game. Go buy it.
Presentation - 9.0
Graphics - 10.0
Sound - 8.5
Gameplay - 8.0
Overall - 8.875 (Average)
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