Doom 64

"Doom 64, an awesome game!"

Note
I am not reviewing Doom 64, per-say, but its PC-equivalent, Doom: Absolution, a total conversion of Doom 2 made by Elbryan42., to be identical (almost) to Doom 64. Since Gamefaqs does not have anything about this TC in its section, I figure here is the best place to review it. However, it does not matter too much, because most of what I say applies also to the original console version, unless otherwise noted. This TC is free (It DOES require you to have the Doom 2 WAD though), and can be obtained at http://www.doom2.net/~elbryan/ , a subsection of the Doom 2 homepage. Now, on with the review!

Introduction
Doom Absolution TC is a faithful remake of Doom 64 for the PC. All the levels are kept intact, albeit some order changes, and four new levels are included. The weapons, monsters, and environments are all true to the console version, sounds too. They even went as to add two new monsters, but you will have to see them for yourself. Well, im not too good with introductions, so let’s just get to the real meats of the review.

Game play 9/10
Ahh, yes. Game play. Ten weapons, multiple items and powerups, and Seventeen different monsters, offers quite a bit of variety, and even some aspects of strategy in this fragfest shooter.
Fun Factor: One thing that bugged me about Doom 64, is like its predecessors, you could not look up or down, nor could you jump, which made platform crossing insanely difficult at some times. Especially when failing to cross sends you into a dark pit full of respawning spectre demons. Yes, not fun. The Doom 64 TC improves on both of these flaws, somewhat. You can now look in all directions, up, down, left, right, and combinations of them. This is unbelievably useful, and makes the game so much more fun to play, as you can explore your environments with ease. Jumping is also added, sort of. It is a cheat, and must be unlocked.
One of the things that make this game so much fun to play, is the environmental aspects. Everything is so dark, and gloomy, while the ambient music plays along, with moans, children screaming, and the assorted growls of monsters. The combination of creepy aspects gives you an impending sense of doom (Heh heh heh...). This game is quite a few years old, and yet, it manages to frighten me even to this day. You walk down a long hall, having battled multiple demon forces, see the exit door, open it, and are greeted by a Baron of Hell. Yessss. Makes ya jump. Or, finding a key, sitting lonely in the middle of an empty room. You pick it up, and are surrounded suddenly by Arachnatrons ready to tear you to shreds with their rifles. It is these suspenseful and trap tactics that make the game such an enjoyable, and for some, nightmarish experience.

Difficulty: The game has four levels of difficulty, each one producing altered monster layout, monster strengths, and number of monsters. I cannot say much for this, besides the obvious facts. The lowest difficulty is good for beginners. I find it far too easy though. The highest difficulty changes somewhat radically from the one before it, monsters become much more abundant, and you will find that even the lowly Shotgun Zombies do quite a bit of damage to you. Presents a great challenge, though it can make some of the “trap” sequences insanely hard to get out of. My only peeve here, is that if you die, you restart the level with only a pistol. Though saving often and loading remedies this.

Controls: The controls for the N64 version were quite good, I had no complaints there, the character could be easily manipulated and maintained, strafes, running, ect ect. The PC version has fully customizable controls, and although at first, the controls are a bit awkward, with a little tweaking, you can get them how you want them. I have no complaints here.
Story 2/10
There is not much to story here, other than “one demon survived and revived all the other demons, so now were sending you into hell to stop them” yadda yadda. Boring, clichéd, and overused lol. However, this game relies naught on its storyline. Therefore, this should not matter.

Graphics/Sound 10/10-8/10
This is one area where the PC version improves most. The textures are all High-Res, and they have added particles, halos, and an assortment of improvements that can all be adjusted from a handy Console Menu. The sounds are all imported from the PSX version, and have been “pumped-up” and brought to high-def. At least this is what the site says. Myself, I do not see any difference from the N64’s , which is slightly disappointing, as I would have liked to hear some more variety in each monsters various calls and death-yells. Oh well, its still cool nonetheless. The monsters are clearer now and look a little sharper. One bad thing about being able to look in all directions, is if you look down on a monster, you can CLEARLY tell its flat. Otherwise, though, they look 3D.

Play Time/Replayability 6/10-9/10
Im going to be blunt. The game is rather short. Beginners can complete it in 6-8 hours. (At least that is how long it took me the first time. >.>) While experts could probably beat this thing in an hour-hour and a half. Therefore, it does not get much for playtime. As for Replayability, that is a different story. The sheer variety of the levels, and the secrets contained within them, will have you striving through the game multiple times. If not that, than to just see if you can beat the par times. I still find myself, even after playing the console version for five years, and just recently the PC version, going back to my fave level, Dark Citadel, repeatedly. This game will entertain you for a long time, even just so to play your favorite level now and then.

Final Recommendation 9/10
This game is a classic. I believe it to be the best DOOM yet, and I will still play it for years to come. Either buy the N64 version, or download the PC version. You will not regret it.

Ending Note
This is my first review, and I hope it helps you in your decision to purchase this great game. Have fun, and see you in hell, marine. ^.^

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/23/04