As a seasoned gamer with memories of the original “Doom” releases etched deeply into my gaming psyche, I must say that the 2024 remaster of both “Doom 1” and “Doom 2” has been a delightful journey down memory lane. The new flourishes are a nice touch, but it’s the classic “Doom” aesthetic that truly takes me back – every level feels uniquely structured, each with its own atmosphere and challenges.
Similar to last year’s surprise release of an enhanced edition for Quake 2, id Software has covertly launched updated versions of some of its classic shooters, primarily focusing on the original Doom games. Notably, this is the second significant overhaul for both titles; the previous one introduced numerous features such as level select, instant save and load options, 60 FPS compatibility across all platforms, and additional campaigns like No Rest for the Living, Sigil, and both map packs comprising Final Doom. Now, let’s compare how the combined Doom 1 and Doom 2 stack up against each other.
Initially, you’ll find that this product offers compatibility with 4K/120 Hz on modern gaming consoles and computers, cross-platform multiplayer and collaboration, numerous accessibility features such as high-contrast mode, text-to-speech, and speech-to-text for multiplayer interactions, and support for eight additional languages. For those interested in the game’s creation process or wishing to explore character designs, backgrounds, and other details, the id Vault serves as a comprehensive repository of all this information.
“However, everyone else logging back in will doubtless pivot to Legacy of Rust, the new campaign. The story, such as it is, sees the player aiming to reclaim a lost UAC base.”
Fans yearning for additional content related to “Doom” receive a freshly crafted campaign, jointly created by Nightdive, MachineGames, and id Software. Additionally, there’s a new Deathmatch pack for enthusiasts of multiplayer, featuring 25 newly designed maps. What could be even more exciting is the compatibility with BOOM, enabling users to share and download mods directly within the game. To top it off, a reworked soundtrack by Andrew Hulshut, who’s known for his compositions in “Rise of the Triad,” “Prodeus,” “Dusk,” “Amid Evil,” among others, is also accessible, along with the classic MIDI tunes.
For those new to the series, the combination of DOOM 1 and DOOM 2 remains an engaging experience even after several decades. The game’s level design, enemies, and pacing are still delightfully sublime. If you’ve played the original games or their remakes but haven’t explored the expansions, they’re definitely worth checking out. Essentially, No Rest for the Living offers more of what you find in DOOM 2, with a higher density of enemies and some creative variations on its level design.
Final Doom, in my viewpoint, represents an engaging advancement on the fundamental Doom design, preserving a steady tempo while experimenting with various environmental ideas and obstacles. The only potential issue might be Sigil; it’s not terrible, but it offers a distinct take on the Doom gameplay experience. Despite this, it’s worth playing for its visually stunning effects and meticulous attention to detail. Remarkably, Sigil 2, an additional mod, is accessible, adding an extra layer of enjoyment.
Instead, as everyone else resumes play, they’ll likely shift to Legacy of Rust, the latest campaign. The narrative, albeit minimal, revolves around the player recovering a lost UAC base. There are ancient terrors brewing, and while it serves primarily as backdrop for action, there’s intriguing environmental storytelling involved. As you blast through Scar Base, eliminating the new adversaries like Former Humans, Pinkies, and Ghouls, you notice suspended bodies here and there. A quick passage through a portal unveils further violence, with impaled soldiers and heaps of corpses.
As a passionate gamer, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing the evolution of “Doom” over the years. It’s been mind-blowing to see the incredible variety of mods that have sprung up around it – from entirely new adventures to total transformations that fundamentally reshape the gameplay experience.
In this new version, the vibrant additions certainly catch the eye, yet the traditional Doom ambiance persists. What’s truly remarkable is how each level is crafted distinctively and individually. Scar Base serves as your starting point for the Sanguine Wastes, a diseased terrain filled with blood puddles that seem to hide enemies at every turn. This creates an unsettling vibe throughout an extended stretch of gameplay.
Compared to other areas, Ash Mill may be shorter, but it’s just as nerve-wracking as you make your way through a maze-like lumber mill filled with contorted timber and dried trees, fighting against the latest Shocktroopers. Among the sections in these stages, a few might seem slightly peculiar, but overall, it showcases top-notch Doom-style level design. There are only two new weapons – the Calamity Blade and Incinerator – but they’re enjoyable to wield.
Experiencing the thrill of confronting massive waves of enemies, unleashing a powerful, one-shot weapon that cuts through them smoothly, is unmatched. Interestingly, even the fresh adversaries blend seamlessly into the mix, with the Vassago standing out as particularly intimidating when ammo is scarce and you’re scavenging for more. I found myself torn between Call of the Machine in Quake 2 Remastered, but Legacy of Rust is a fantastic new addition to an already impressive collection of campaigns. And let me tell you, the excitement doesn’t stop there!
“Over the years, Doom has garnered an extraordinary level of support from modders, leading to an array of content ranging from fresh campaigns to complete transformations of gameplay. With in-game mod support now a reality, you can explore new maps such as Back to Saturn X Episode 1 and 2, and projects like DOOM ZERO or enhancements like Harmony and REKKR. The former offers a distinct sci-fi ambiance, while the latter introduces a unique twist. This is particularly beneficial for console gamers.”
Additionally, the fresh soundtrack is remarkable, enhancing the gaming experience significantly. However, I must mention that the audio mixing could use some refinement. Occasionally, the music tracks may seem excessively intense.
I’m really bummed out because, since the system is only BOOM-compatible, I can’t enjoy some of the most widely loved mods such as GZDoom, Brutal Doom, Myhouse.wasd, and others. It doesn’t completely ruin the experience, but it feels incomplete not having these mods as part of my collection of classic Doom titles. To top it off, you even need a Bethesda account to download any mods.
Despite appearing less problematic, the mod browser encounters significant drawbacks. Navigating through pages can feel laborious, and while filtering by most subscribed or recently added is acceptable, the settings must be adjusted each time when leaving a mod’s description. Furthermore, issues like unchecked moderation during mod addition, which allows some users to upload mods they didn’t create, remain unaddressed.
Apart from that, there’s a fresh soundtrack in play now. To clarify, it’s a wonderful enhancement for the games, but the balance could use some tweaking. Sometimes, the tracks become excessively loud, which might not appeal to all players. Going back to the original MIDI soundtracks is possible, but they seem rather soft, necessitating adjustments. Given that music is crucial to the Doom gaming experience, let’s hope these problems get addressed promptly.
The multiplayer aspect wasn’t great for me as a persistent error message about account problems kept appearing. Additionally, some users have expressed dissatisfaction due to the display settings not replicating the original feel, and there seems to be no in-game option to reset these to default. For PC gamers, the movement controls felt off, but I didn’t encounter any issues on PS5, even with “Always Run” enabled. It might be wise to investigate these matters before making a purchase decision.
Although the mod browser could benefit from some user-friendly enhancements and a revision in its moderation system, and the audio mixing seems slightly imbalanced detracting from the fantastic new soundtrack, this remains one of the top-tier classic compilations available.
Despite some flaws, playing DOOM 1 + DOOM 2 remains a must for any first-person shooter enthusiast. The updated versions of these classics evoke nostalgia with their timeless design, offering a refreshing change from the excessive violence we see today. The add-ons are top-notch (with only a few reservations about Sigil), and the newly added campaign could be considered a compelling reason to buy it on its own.
Despite needing improvements in its moderation tools and audio mixing, which could enhance the impressive new soundtrack, this revamped version of classic Doom stands as one of the finest collections available. The level of dedication to refining classic Doom since its debut in 1993 is truly remarkable, and it’s noteworthy that developers and modders continue to create fresh content. With DOOM 1 + DOOM 2 representing the pinnacle of what classic Doom has to offer, the intriguing question arises: Will DOOM 3 finally receive long-overdue attention?
This game was reviewed on PlayStation 5.
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2024-08-13 15:41