We are looking forward to it. Doom: Dark Ageswhich is expected to arrive hopefully in 2025, has many enthusiasts replaying Doom in its entirety. Twenty years later, Doom 3 remains a turning point for the series, but gamers still can’t agree on whether it was great or disappointing. What if there was a little bit of both? I returned to the dark hallways of UAC’s Mars base to reevaluate the threequel.
When we created a list ranking all Doom games, Doom 3 came in at the bottom despite its reputation. 87 Metacritic score And all the accolades I’ve received over the years. It may seem like we think it’s a bad game, but our opinion is quite the opposite. The Doom series is so great and consistent that even the “least great” games are far superior to other big first-person shooters. Looking at the big picture, Doom 3 was an experiment for id Software that went beyond graphical presentation. The OG Doom formula was worn out by the early 2000s (though fans and modders still love it), and everyone should have seen this rework of the formula coming.
This rework involved rebooting the series due to the story being flimsy despite the big “3” in the title. Doom ’16 and Eternal did something that could be considered yet another reboot or a loose follow-up to the old game, but Doom 3 was pretty clear about its continuity. In a way, this blank slate allowed us to flex different muscles to suit moment-to-moment gameplay. But of course, it was no surprise that longtime Doom fans expected Doom 3 to be more similar to its predecessor.
Doom: The Dark Ages isn’t the only major sci-fi game release we’re looking forward to. Space games of all sizes and genres will be coming to consoles and PCs in the near future. If you like action games and for some strange reason have never played the Doom series, these are some of the best space games on Game Pass. This is the cheapest and fastest way to get access right now.
Most Terrifying Doom Entry
Doom 3 is considered one of the best space horror games of all time, and for good reason. The entire Doom series has a horror theme, with lots of blood, crunchy gore, demons, and creepy environments establishing an iconic and powerful aesthetic, but players are at a distinct disadvantage. Only Doom 3. You are just one person. Just an ordinary Marine doing his best.
Just to be clear, the Doom movies are no walk in the park, but while the original Doomguy and the modern Doom Slayer are frightening figures that even demons fear, Doom 3’s protagonist is very human. (even if he gradually turns into an action hero). This was mainly achieved through smart game design. From the level structure to the weapons (they don’t pack much punch, ammo isn’t as plentiful, etc.), Doom 3 nearly crossed the line into survival horror territory multiple times. After all, it should be considered an action game first and foremost. While the core mechanics haven’t changed all that much, it’s a completely different game in terms of how it works.
BFG Edition (2012) – which has become the standard modern version of Doom 3 – reworked the threequel to be more “fun” and closer to the original. This remains controversial to this day, with enthusiasts arguing that it removes too much of the original edge, while purists and more casual players argue that the flashlight is no longer a standalone tool. We are celebrating the changes in our quality of life, including: Can be used at the same time as a gun.
The biggest differences, aside from bundled additional content, are: The original release of Doom 3 was noticeably darker.making good use of id Tech 4’s (at the time) cutting-edge lighting advances to create an unsettling atmosphere. The BFG Edition is still creepy, but less threatening. It all comes down to personal preference, but it’s a point worth considering if you’re playing Doom 3 for the first time.
repeat old tricks
Once you accept that id Software was aiming for something a little different, it’s easy to see why Doom 3 worked (and still works) so well as a truly terrifying horror ride. That said, it’s not all that good when trying to recreate the overall flow and structure of the original entry. This is a bit of a problem when so much of what you’re doing is essentially “same game but fancy” until you get into your own rhythm. You still run through demon-infested UAC facilities, shooting possessed humans and monsters in dark hallways and science areas.
There’s not much difference in the worldbuilding or gameplay, and this new Doomguy feels more human than ever. The packaging is familiar, but much of the novelty has been removed. They didn’t officially add any proper twists or gimmicks to the gameplay to make Doom more grounded. As a result, the game essentially comes across as an “inferior” version of Doom 64 rather than a full-fledged survival horror version of the series. This is a kind of entry. Doom 4 canceled Maybe so.
Looking back at this game and its legacy, perhaps Nerve Software’s resurrection of evil This expansion was the most interesting “modernization” of the Doom formula before the 2016 reboot, as it introduced new gameplay features like “grabbers” and “artifacts” that brought Doom 3 closer to modern shooters like Half-Life 2. ” was. If we were trying to rewrite our DNA, this seemed like the more logical step forward at the time.
Experiments needed
Either way, Doom 3 was a success and is still talked about to this day. It was also another essential cutting-edge shooter released in 2004 alongside Halo-Life 2, Halo 2, and the first Far Cry. It’s impossible to understand the evolution of FPS video games without considering all four. Doom 3 wasn’t a home run within the scope of its series, but it’s the kind of game that many studios at the time dreamed of putting together. And launch.
Doom ’16 and Eternal (2020) – both injected with fantasy elements and incorporating ridiculously relentless action and platforming – are also featured on the back, helping Doom 3 to take the series to the next level. It’s easier to understand the role played…even if it’s completely different. Evolution in the gaming medium rarely happens by chance, as long-running FPS series like Call of Duty are largely locked into one mode, regardless of the settings and gameplay additions of each entry. It reminds me that there isn’t. From the outside looking in, all Doom games may look the same, but that doesn’t mean the IP is risk-free.
DOOM 3 is currently available for purchase on PC, PlayStation, Xbox consoles, and Nintendo Switch. It’s also part of Xbox/PC Game Pass’ permanent catalog.
