Customer Reviews

Doom 3 Limited Collector's Edition

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is definitely one of the moodiest, best-orchestrated games I've ever played. It gives many nods to the kind of immersion (and outright steals a number of elements) popularized by Half-Life. This is pure DOOM though - demons, possessed humans, flying skulls, creepy voices, etc. And of course, the two things you truly need for happiness while descending to Hell: a shotgun and a chainsaw.

If you like games that suck you in with powerful environments, DOOM 3 is the best you will ever find. The graphics are superb, dark, and downright freaky at times. Even better than the visuals, though, is the sound. Slithering sounds from nearby enemies, demonic laughter echoing down the hallway as monsters descend on you, etc. It all adds up to a powerful experience that can really tug at your claustrophobic strings.

Here's a low-down on the collector's edition.

THE GOOD:
* It's scary, it's visceral, it frays your nerves, and it's absolutely a ton of fun.
* Production values are outstanding, although the plot is paper-thin. But it's DOOM, so what do you expect? A Shakespearean play?
* Ultimate DOOM and DOOM II are included and very playable on the Xbox. Sure, they're outdated and clunky compared to this beautiful masterpiece. They're a walk down memory lane for those of us who remember the original games, and a good history lesson for those who don't.
* G4 "Icons" video with background info on the making of DOOM 3.
* Collector's Edition case is very cool.

THE BAD:
* No split-screen co-op mode! You can only play co-op if you use Xbox Live or system link. Lame!

THE UGLY:
* The interviews in the collector's edition are pretty lame. It's basically a handful of the top guys at Id Software talking for a couple minutes each about some aspect of the game or other. Even when John Carmack himself was talking, I quickly got bored with how pedestrian the whole thing was.

THE SUMMARY:
Don't mind those folks who whine about how you can't use the flashlight at the same time as you use a weapon - deal with it! The game is still a blast, and it gives all new meaning to the phrase... GO TO HELL! Highly, highly, HIGHLY recommended.

Folks all i can say is it was well worth the wait. Ive heard people cry that its dark. Yes it is in more ways than one. Its just dark enough to keep you nervous about what is around a corner or behind you. These graphics are without a doubt the best ever produced on any console. The nay sayers are dead wrong. I play (other than an occasional platformer) nothing but first person shooters and while i enjoyed the Halo games as well as Metroid Prime and many others they are well behind the design and gameplay of this masterpiece. This is not a "run and gun" game. If you play it as such, you will die and die often. Take your time and look around there is lots to see and find. Believe the hype folks! I did not think these graphics could be produced on any console. Play it in the dark and enjoy.

If one thing can be said about Doom 3, it's that the game merges new school and old school seamlessly. The visuals in this Xbox port are nearly perfect when being compared to the breathtaking atmosphere of the PC version. Basically this means that the cutting-edge visuals are still cutting edge, especially for a console, while they are becoming more accessible for a wider audience who may not have PCs beefy enough to run the game at full specs. As for the Doom legacy, everything a fan could want is here. The simple run-and-gun action from the socially taboo games I played as a child is mirrored perfectly in this remake.

However, once you strip away all of the gritty realism of the environments and the nostalgia of classic Doom, you are left with an extremely rudimentary corridor-crawler that is firmly based on derivative shooting and cheap scares for entertainment. At its core, the gameplay is absolutely repetitive, but masked by convincing character animations a bone-chilling scenery. The plot is also quite thin. Half of the time, it will feel like you are going somewhere simply because you haven't been there yet. At several points in the game, I actually had to check my PDA (which was a very cool feature, by the way) to see what my "objective" was supposed to be. Lastly, the feeling of dread and unease you get from not knowing exactly what's around the corner is somewhat reduced by the "QuickSave" anywhere function.

Close-quarters combat is used for 90% of your encounters, and while this helps add to the claustrophobic feeling that Doom 3 conveys so well, it also severely limits tactical decisions for you AND your enemy. In fact, while the AI is better described as "tenacious" rather than "stupid," there are very few moments in the game where the enemy will use clever tactics instead of rushing straight for you. Add that to the seemingly innocuous "monster closets" that demons will jump out of for a quick jump-out-and-go-boo scare (Jeeze, did the guys that designed this base actually make a conscious effort to give demons and zombies a place to hide?!) and you are left with a single, repetitive outcome to nearly every battle: a zombie/imp/soldier jumps out of a shadowy era, and you blast them away with your shotgun. Rinse and repeat. The game does have interesting events every now and then, such as gunplay in total pitch-black darkness or bizarre visions that will make you wonder if what you saw really happened, but these treats are few and far between. Derivative shooting ultimately drags Doom 3 down a few notches.

It should also be noted that, for whatever reason, headshots DO NOT do anymore damage than say... a shot to the foot. As a cardinal rule of FPSs, even on consoles, I have no clue as to why the designers decided to omit headshot damage. This was extremely disappointing.

What Doom 3 DOES do well, however, is atmosphere. The dingy, mechanical walls and flickering lights of the Mars base make you feel like you are in a living and breathing (sometimes literally) industrial environment. The level of detail is simply astonishing. Everything, from a giant, gyrating energy reactor to an insignificant ruptured pipe, looks REAL. Shadows are intense and lighting is generally clever; the game designers never let you see TOO much without the aid of your flashlight. Speaking of that wacky flashlight, it seems like it's almost become a fad to talk about how silly it is to not be able to attach a light to your gun. Well, this is one leap of logic that I'm actually willing to overlook. Having guns and light separate adds to the tension. End of story. What kind of tension, you ask? How about "the dirty feeling of isolation and claustrophobia resulting from maneuvering your nameless, voiceless marine through a dark, ominous air vent smeared in the blood of your fallen comrades, making it seem like you are actually there" kind of tension. Enemy designs aid the intensity of Doom 3's macabre scenery; it's really too bad that you really won't see many of them until the last quarter of the game. For the majority of time you spend playing, you'll be fighting the aforementioned zombies, soldiers, or Imps. Needless to say, this gets predictable (and rather boring) after a while. It really is a shame that every few levels or so, you may be introduced to an interesting new enemy (like, for example, the Maggot, Wraith, and Lost Soul), but you will most likely never see that enemy again until hours and hours later in the game. Once you advance far enough into the game, the balance of demons evens out, but Imps will still be your most common threat. Still, waves of identical enemies can't take away from an excellently crafted industrial atmosphere, which becomes so creepy that the latter half of Doom 3 that it looks like something straight out of Silent Hill (in a good way).

Oh, and just on a side note... I don't care if the Revenant was in the earlier Doom game. That enemy looks totally ridiculous. It's a skeleton with awkward rocket launchers grafted to its shoulders. Stupid. Really, really stupid.

Sound is great. It was an exceedingly wise move to use music very sparingly. The naturally grating, echoing, metallic sounds of the Mars base mixed with footsteps, demonic growls, and maniacal laughter is more than enough to convey a feeling of unease.

Although the multiplayer is abysmal (not even worth playing, in my opinion), the Co-op is probably one of the most interesting additions to Doom 3. You can't Co-op on split screen (boo!), but it's not hard at all to find someone via Xbox Live (or even System Link if you get desperate). The game has been altered to accommodate two marines instead of one, power ups and multiple demons have been added, and cut scenes have been removed. The result is an extremely fluid and addictive experience.

Well, after this long, wordy, and somewhat negative critique, I bet you're wondering why I gave Doom 3 four stars. There answer is simple: this game is fun. In an age where the Xbox's FPS games are becoming more and more innovative (take Splinter Cell: CT and Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath... both excellent games), it's almost, dare I say, "refreshing" to play a game that's actually easier to learn than Halo 2. It's an extremely cathartic experience. Sit back, relax, and let yourself become scared of the dark again as you blast through hordes of Hell's minions. It's the perfect stress reliever.

With the added features (including retro Doom games, as I'm sure you already know), the Doom 3 Collector's Edition for the Xbox is the perfect addition to any FPS and/or Survival Horror fan's library... repetitive gameplay and all.

Yeah, Doom 3 is great. There's tension, darkness, a forboding feeling, and some awesome looking demons coming to tear you apart and drag you to hell.

I'm sure someone's already said that the fact that you can't equip the flashlight at the same time as a gun really makes things a little scarier.

The game is good. It starts to feel like it's getting a bit long, but then you get attacked by a new enemy or you get rocketted into Hell or something like that and you're suddenly loving it again.

The game can get to be pretty hard, but it's nothing you can't get through after a couple tries.

As for the Collector's Edition, I'd say only get it if you're a big fan of the Doom series. Of course. You've got some interviews and such, some concept art, and the original Dooms. There's really no reason to get it for Doom and Doom 2 unless you HAVE to have them on xbox for some reason. It is fun to get some friends together and play some deathmatches on the XBOX, but beyond that, there's really not much use to them when you could easily just get them for your computer and have the real experience.

I really only bought the XBOX version of Doom 3 because my computer would never run it. So yeah. If you have a computer capable of running Doom 3 you shouldn't even be thinking about the XBOX version.

Doom 3 for the XBox is the BEST looking FPS out there at this time. The textures and normal mapping make the environment come to life in a way that is not even possible on my lowly PC without causing serious degradation in the frame rate.

The last game to give such a detailed environment was the Chronicles of Riddick. However, that game (as great as it is) was plagued with some issues. At times, the graphics would get very fuzzy. Also, there were clipping issues in some areas. But, those can be overlooked in a game that is not just a FPS, but also a stealth game as well.

Doom 3, however, is not plagued by those abnormalities. The graphics are ALWAYS clear and sharp. Frame rate reduction is minimal (almost non-existent) and doesn't affect the gameplay at all. If you want to really show off the XBox's graphics and sound capabilities, then this is the game to do it with.

Doom 3 is a re-telling of the original Doom. Forget that Doom and Doom II ever occured. In this game, you learn more about the UAC, it's operations and who caused the portal to hell to open and why. Again, you play an unnamed space marine called to the UAC base on Mars for a normal rotation in your active duty career. People have been disappearing left and right on what is not a large installation. Others have come down with serious cases of schizophrenia, while others have even resorted to cutting their tongues in two. Yuck!

If you've played the PC version, then be prepared for some changes. First off, the areas are NOT as dark as they were on the PCs. This was due to console games being played on the TV. It doesn't detract from the scary environment of the PC game and you still need a flashlight in many areas once the portal to hell is open. But, at least you get to see the lush environment and the minions of hell a lot better than you did on the PC.

Second, many areas of the PC game (such as the beginning where you actually walk through the scanning machine yourself as well as walking around the landing platform to get into the main entrance of the base) have been replaced by you watching it occur. You actually take control of the player when he comes to the desk to receive his PDA.

Other areas have been removed or paths have been changed. This was done to help increase the action and speed of the game. Whereas the PC game was more of a slow-paced scare fest, the XBox version is a fast-paced juggernaut that still scares the holy heck out of you. There have been areas where I knew there were imps yet, because the atmosphere of the game has pulled me in so deeply, I would still have an imp scare the heck of out me, causing me to drop my controller and curse out loud because I knew the imp was there. Also, certain areas creatures have been replaced to take into account that this is a console game with a controller and not a PC game with a mouse. It doesn't detract from the game at all. In fact, it makes it better.

The controls are laid out nicely, with the D-pad acting as your quick weapons select that you can modify to have access to your favorite weapons. Unlike Halo and Halo 2, you can save the game at any point. The Back button serves as a quick save button so you can save where you are at quickly and get back to the action. This is definitely a plus because then you don't have to worry about the game saving at a pre-determined savepoint when your health and/or ammo is low. You control when you save and in what condition your health and ammo is in.

The 5.1 surround sound puts you right in the middle of the action and is used to it's fullest potential. I can't count how many times I've heard a sound behind me (breathing, something falling, whispering) and I turned around in fright to only find nothing there. It adds to the tension of the game. The detail of the demons and people are the best I've seen yet. The level of detail of everything makes this the best looking XBox game to date.

With the Collectors edition being only $5 more than the normal version, I say shell out that extra cash so you can also get the original Ultimate Doom and Doom II games ported to the Xbox. They allow co-op play and are a nostalgic look back at the games that defined the FPS and deathmatch shooters era. Doom started it all.

The other extra features on the CE version include 4 FMVs about the making of Doom 3 and the history of Doom. They are really interesting to watch. There is also an art gallery as well as interviews with the creators of Doom 3. I did notice that the voices were NOT in synch with the videos, but it's minor and not that much of a distraction.

The online play seems well on it's way to bringing back the glory days of playing Doom on a Novell LAN. It only allows up to 4 players, but sometimes, those are the the best types to play. The levels have been created just for that type of game play and it allows for some exciting matches. There is deathmatch, team deathmatch and arena-type where you watch two players go head-to-head and when one dies, one of the other players waiting comes in and plays the winner. I did notice some lag at times, but it wasn't enough to detract from the gameplay.

Another issue with on-line play is when you search for games. It seems to take a long time to find them. Once I did find a game, there were numerous times when I selected that game, only to be told that it was no longer available. Hopefully, these issues are just due to the fact that I tried to play on-line on the day of the release and will eventually be fixed or reduced once the hype has died down a little.

Unlike the PC version, you can have coop play as well for the main story. The FMVs are gone and certain areas from the single-player game have been changed to allow for 2-players, but this is something we Xboxers can brag about that the PC players don't have. It makes for some interesting gameplay, especially in the dark areas. To see your buddy get munched by a demon while you hold the flashlight is something you just have to experience to really get the feeling of sheer terror that it can bring.

Overall, I was a little disappointed in that this was only a one-disc edition when the other limited CEs had two discs. Still, the inclusion of the original Dooms and the port of this game to the Xbox is nothing short of brilliance on the part of Vicarious Visions. They must be commended on this port. It actually makes this better than the PC version and looks almost as good for a console game.

Doom 3 is the BEST looking FPS out there. Does it beat Halo 2? Maybe in the single player version, but online is a different story. Each has it's own merits. If anything, Doom 3 can sit right next to Halo 2 and be equal to it. This is definitely a game every FPS fan should have for their Xbox.

First of all let me say that I am an avid fan and player of all the games in the Doom series. I was extatic to hear that Doom 3 was finally coming out for Xbox and I am happy to say that I was not let down.


-Graphics: 9/10

The graphics are perfect. ID and Activision did an outstanding job on bringing this game to the Xbox system. Details in the levels are not lost from the switch and it is just as creepy of a game as it is on the computer. The movement is very smooth and it is also very fluid and natural when you are walking or looking around. There has only been a couple of times when the game slowed down a little bit, but nothing worth marking the game down for.


-Gameplay: 10/10

Gameplay is extremely fun and easy. The controls are very natural and if you don't like them you can always change them around. One of the really cool and realistic features is that the base is very dark and you need to use your flashlight often to find your way around. You can only carry your flashlight or a gun so it makes for hightened action and suspense when you light up a room only to find that there is a ton of zombies in there. This feature is not annoying like you may think. Switching between the flashlight and/or other weapons is very quick so you don't have to worry about not being able to shoot in time. As I'm sure you've heard about this game, it's scary. This is very true. Everywhere you go you never know what will happen next. Sometimes while walking, something will just fall or make a noise to make you jump. Other times that noise is coming from someone behind you.


-Sound: 10/10

Sounds and music are fantastic. I would highly recommend that you purchase the Advanced A/V Pack for your Xbox and hook it up to some 5.1 surround sound speakers to feel the full effect. Even in the menu screens the sounds are so creepy.


-Extras: 10/10

Finally a few words about the Collector's Edition. Spend the $10 extra and get it, it's worth it. Along with the really cool metal tin case, you get the FULL versions of both Ultimate Doom AND Doom II. They have also been redone so that they can be played multiplayer style. In addition the Collector's Edition also gives you some other things like behind the scenes and concept art.


--OVERALL: 9.7--


-Quick Overview

PROS:
-Good unfolding story
-Great graphics
-Easy controls
-Fun and very scary gameplay
-Great music and sound (with some classic Doom sound effects thrown in)
-Realistic
-Two extra classic Doom games included

CONS:
-Very few and far between, but can get slow and glitchy
-PDA can be a little bit annoying to use expecially when having to look for lock combinations

This is probably in most xboxers top 5 somewhere below Halo. Excellent new engine now used in next gen games from ID and others (Prey, Quake4). Game looks gorgeous.

Weaknesses are thin story (though this franchise never had or needed one in the past), no offline co-op, no wide open spaces as with original Doom games (though they may be trying to give a clausterphobic feel), not enough Hell levels (but the game is enormously long). But these aren't enough to keep it out of 5 star territory. I'd give it 4.8/4.9 if possible. The flashlight thing people make a big deal about didn't bother me as much as others - they are obviously trying to increase the scare factor by doing this.

Very good job by the folks that started the FPS gaming innovation, ID.

PC games have come a long way in their short existences, in the early nineties consoles were dominating the market, but then in 1992 a group of hackers through to gather game that was a huge first in both graphics and game play.

It was called Wolfenstien 3D.

But wasn't until a year later when Id software really earn their strips with a game that still popular today even though it is completely dated.

Doom.

Fast forward 11 years and the folks at Id went back to their roots, remaking Doom for an action shoot to a fright fest horror game.

You're a marine that just got station on Mars City, the hub of all research and Development for the Union Aerospace Corporation on mars. Right off the bat you notices something is a miss, people are missing, rumors are spreading of strange sounds, odd behavior in some of the personnel, and some kind of experiment going on in the Delta Labs?

Suddenly the lights go out and screams and gun shots echo up and down the corridors, there are suddenly flash of red and orange light, disembodies voices chanting. Suddenly your co-workers turn on you! Personnel become mindless zombies and suddenly horrifying creatures start crawling out of every corner. After one narrowing escape after another and intense firefights, you find out that these strange monsters are really Demons straight from the very burning pits of Hell. The Experiment in the Delta Labs must of open some gateway that allowed all of the Devils minions to invade the Martian Base.

Doom 3 is heavy on atmosphere, dark costraphobic corridors with an occasionally flickering light. This atmosphere creates a haunting sense of dread. It's dark, there's blood everywhere, half eaten corpses. The foreboding is intensified by sudden disembody voices, screams and whispers, sometimes even shadows dance on the walls and floor.

This atmosphare is always problemactic because when you enter a pich black room you have to switch to your flash light so see anything, making you utterly defensless if somthing jumps out at you.

Doom 3: The Collectors Edition, also has a fair about of booty, interviews with the game makers, concepti art, but best of all this edition comes with two more games, Ultimate Doom and Doom II: Hell on Earth, \now you can play the classic Doom games that everyone loved right on your Xbox.

I love the Doom games. There's just something about killing hell demons on Mars...

Alright. This game was awesome...and scary as hell, too. It's probably one of the best games that I've played on the XBox. I don't even know where to begin. Obviously it's the same old Doom we know and love but in 3-D. It still has the same huge levels and the same evil demons, the same weapons plus one and some grenades, but it's a lot darker and more evil...and really detailed. There are also some funny bits here and there.

Not only that but the full versions of Doom and Doom II are a sweet bonus.

Basically, if you like first person shooters, you'll like this; if you like the Doom series, you'll like this; if you like survival horror games, you'll like this.

I just got this game today and it is sweet. The graphics are the best that I have seen in a game. This game is so scary that as soon as you start fighting you will be scared for the rest of the game. The Zombies and Demons look so real and the game feels like you are in a horror movie. All of the guns that you get in the game are the best. The weapons in Doom 3 are 100 times better than the one's in Halo 2.

Pros:
Great graphics
Cool weapons
Holy crap it's scary
Long and challlenging levels
Smart A.I.
Plenty of pants wetting moments
A lot of single player action

Cons:
Holy crap it's scary
Can't have a gun out with your flashlight