"Storytelling that is classic"

The Doom franchise is known as the originator of the FPS genre and now the latest installment Doom 3 has come to the Xbox and what is does to console FPS's is really something special.

A Story of Horror and Interest
Many people know the basic low down of Doom's story, demons are attacking a research facility on Mars and only a single marine stands in their way. This sounds like a simple story but the way it is told and back story that is explained in Doom 3 is incredible and is something only done in books. I honestly thought that while I was exploring the world of Doom 3 that I was reading a Steven King book. Every PDA I collect and every cut scene I watch raises the suspense and brings intensity to Doom 3 and its world.

A World of Terror and Wonder
The graphics of Doom 3 are in a word phenomenal and with the smoothness that the game runs at it's a miracle (especially with the specs of the Xbox). There is absolutely no equal to the graphical details displayed in Doom 3. Every surface has bump mapping and dynamic lights are astoundingly well done. So well done in fact that they are the center of what makes Doom 3 what it is. Many times during the game you will be required to walk down a dark corridor and you will need to use your flashlight instead of a weapon to see. This tactic is so well done that you will cringe every time you have to switch to your flashlight because you know your wide open to attack from one of Doom 3's many monsters.

Every single monster in Doom 3 is unique and even the ones taken from the old Doom games feel original and each is just as scary as the next. Id software spent some well deserved time on Doom 3's style and graphical flair. This is the strongest point of Doom 3.

Did you hear that!?!?
One thing that separates a player from the couch and makes him feel that he is really in the shoes of any given game's protagonist is the sound and it shines in Doom 3. With every step taken in the Mars research base a screech can be heard from someone unlucky enough to have found an Imp hiding in the shadows or someone's evil laugh cackling in the darkness. All of these noises conspire to grab you by the throat and squeeze (Oh and if you don't believe me play this in the dark with surround sound you will be crying very quickly).

Game play that is Classic
There is something about Doom 3's game play that is just makes it an instant classic, while it may not have any vehicles or situations where you have to think about your next move it still manages to keep the thrill ride going. To put it simply you move from room to room switching between your flashlight and your gun shooting nastys in the darkness and occasionally hunting down PDA's and keycards. This may sound repetitive but it will keep you engaged for the whole of Doom 3's campaign.

The thing that makes and breaks an FPS is it's weapon selection and Doom 3 has a good amount of them (11). Each one of these weapons is your classic Doom weapons from the shotgun to the BFG but there are also some very sweet new weapons as well (which I can't mention). Every single one of these weapons doesn't feel useless and each will most likely be used numerous times during Doom 3's campaign.

By now many of you are probably wondering, Does Doom 3 have any Xbox Live play? To answer, yes it does but it is lacking for the most part. There are only 5 multiplayer maps and just 2 game types for them (Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch). However, there is a redeeming factor to Doom 3's multiplayer and that comes in the form of online Co-op. I can not stress how funny it is to hear you buddy scream in terror when an Imp attacks him in the dark. It is by far the best part of Doom 3 online.

Collector's Edition Content
The collector's edition is usually one of those ways to get more money out of a game but Doom 3's collector's edition is one of the best. It contains Doom 1 and 2 which are both really fun to play and include 4 player offline co-op. Also included is developer interviews, concept art, and the making of Doom 3 G4 special, which is decent as well. I would if given the choice pick up the Collector's Edition because it winds out the package.

A Classic all around
No matter what you do don't miss out on this classic FPS. It is the best single player FPS available for the Xbox right now bar none. If multiplayer is what you crave then you might want to look else where but you will be missing out on some of the best story telling ever. I give it a 9 out of 10.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10 | Originally Posted: 05/02/05

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