Wolf’s Wicked Words: DOOM For All!

DOOM.

DOOM…

DOOM 3…

Yes, I’ve been playing DOOM 3 lately and I feel that I need to dedicate a whole opinion piece solely to DOOM 3.

Here’s the thing; I’ve played DOOM 3 a bunch of times from start to finish on PC. Now it’s time for me to play the BFG Edition* on Xbox 360.

Yes, I’ve been suspiring a bunch of anticipated breaths to play it yet again. It’s a re-release, yes, and not an awful lot of people get excited about those. Most people regard it as a cash-in, but here’s my main train of thought that proves otherwise: (I sincerely hope it does prove otherwise, or I’m regretting to inform you that this will be the last article you’ll read bearing my name.)

Positive thoughts… Butterflies… Unicorns… OK, I’m good to go!

First things first, why should I care about DOOM 3? I’m so immensely glad you asked. You see, the thing is that DOOM 3 raised the bar so tremendously high back in 2004; it’s still one of those titles that despite it being old, it can stand on its own two feet. Or perhaps on its own “incubic entanglements”? (People, 2004 is eight full years ago. Am I the only one that looks at that number and feels like it’s not that long ago? It feels unreal. Unreal as in fictitious. Not the game engine.)

How does it still manage to be relevant in my eyes?

Easy: it’s fun.

When I started playing it roughly more than a week ago, it was as if I was lifted from the tedious pits of monotony and dropped into a far greater pit consisting of pure excitement and fun. What some people struggle to grasp about DOOM 3 is that it can be very dark and invoke a lot of tension while being fun altogether. Not a lot of laughs, mind you.

Dark and fun? Very contrasting, I agree.

Let’s begin the dissection I prompted a few paragraphs above the very letters your eyes are following right now! (You’re thinking about eyes and letters right now, guaranteed.)

You’re playing as a Marine sent to Mars assisting in whatever it is they want you to do. Swiftly after your arrival you’re given the task to inspect the whereabouts of a missing scientist. Not before long, you find him. He’s alive and kicking, however briefly. It’s then and there that all Hell breaks loose. Literally.

It is up to you, the nameless and voiceless Marine to fight back the demon hordes and survive. (You’ll notice that I capitalise the word “Marine”. He’s called “marine” a few times by one of the commanding dudes. The very same commanding dude that sent you after the scientist. If he didn’t do that, Hell still would’ve broken loose with the only difference of you being all chilled in the lounge knocking back a few Colas and getting acquainted with the other Marine blokes. Much more preferable. Still demons and lots of death, but more preferable. In essence, whenever I see the chum you’re playing as in DOOM 3, I instinctively think: “Marine”. As if it’s his name.)

It’s one of those games that, even after all these years, I still don’t want to elaborate about story or the interesting turn of events.

Without spoiling anything, I will say this: The gunplay works, you do a LOT of shooting, there’s no objective marker, it still looks rather nice, listening to audio logs enhances the atmosphere tremendously, the sound effects and soundtrack are spine-tinglingly good, you’ll think and most importantly, you’re guaranteed to have fun. (Disclaimer: You’re guaranteed to have fun if you’re not weak of heart or get offended by the whole demonic theme and whatnot.)

It involves so much more than the usual: “Hey look! Another dude with a gun on the opposite side of the battlefield. SHOOT!”

Search for locker codes in e-mails, the environment or by listening to audio logs for much needed medical supplies and ammunition. Boss fights require thoughts other than shoot the big guy till he stops moving. No quick time events in sight.

I’m not trying to advertise the game or by any means dismiss every other shooter out there. I merely want to encourage the people to play or replay it if it sounds like their cup of tea. Report back here ASAP and leave that one scientist where you found him.

*The first 2 original DOOM titles, DOOM 3, DOOM 3′s expansion pack and extra missions are included in the BFG Edition. Not bad at all.