Reviewed: Doom II (XBLA)
Everyone who is worth their salt will remember the birth of the modern day fps that was popularised in 1993 by ID Software’s gorefest, Doom.
One of the first games to provide on the PC, 3d spacial awareness with a heady mix of gore, Doom revolutionised the genre and office dogs worldwide linked up their work PC’s for a lunch time session of multiplayer too. So popular was the game that the media soon jumped on the “games need banning” bandwagon and the attention it brought not only helped sell millions of extra copies but cemented Doom’s place in the history of games as one of the defining moments in the genre ever.
Flash forward 17 years and ID Software has ported Doom’s sequel, Doom II to xbox live so that you can relive countless memories of yesteryear on your xbox 360 hard drive. The game itself downloads at just over 36mb and with so many other DLC titles using a lot
more memory you would initially think that not too much attention has been paid to the port itself.
Well, not so. Doom II has been transferred into the marketplace with perfection to the asthetics of the original. All the pixallated graphics are there and the classic look, feel, sound and movement do not seem to be tampered with from what I can remember of the original. For those of you who are too young to remember the original franchise or that their parents wouldn’t allow you to play it, then Doom and Doom II are the original archetypal FPS’s. Simply put, all hell (literally) has broken loose and you must find your way to the exit of each level whilst keeping yourself alive, finding bigger and better weapons to take on the enemy, keeping your ammo well stocked and defeat some meaty bosses to progress and finish the game.
The movement and control system work very well here indeed and many of you will remember cutting your teeth with the simplicity of move, strafe and fire for survival that have grown up with you to this very day. All the controls have been mapped ideally for the xbox 360 control system and geared for today’s traditional FPS layout. That pretty good seeing as there is no way of mapping the buttons yourself.
All the weapons and enemies that were in the original Doom make a welcome return here with some additions to the family to keep you on your toes. There’s nothing like getting down to a small amount of ammo only for one of the dastardly elementals to come around the corner wanting a ruck. Cue the strafing and running to try and protect yourself whilst you hunt around trying to find something to take them down with in what can only be called some of the most well designed fps maps that you will ever come across. Well, you wouldn’t expect anything else from ID Software to be honest as they have spent years getting it bang on in every single game they release. By the way, if you are looking for a beastly weapon then the Super Shottie for the win!
The campaign itself has had an addition of an extra chapter to it. No Rest For The Living is its name so you can expect a few new levels to blast through which adds a little something to it. For those of you who like hunting for secrets then you will get more than your monies worth here for a lot of searching around a level. Big guns can be found ahead of time if you know where to look or are lucky enough to stumble upon it.
As with Doom on XBL, Doom II also has its multiplayer options deeply rooted in within the game. After all, that is partly what it is famed for! Online deathmatches a plenty can be held as well as going local for some friend on friend action. Online, like its predecessor, it does falter a little with lag. It is not that off putting and doesn’t make you feel as though you want to put the game down but it is apparent and something that needs mentioning. But all in all a good blast with plenty of bodies getting mauled and enough to put a smile on your face whilst slaying some random victim has never been so satisfying.
Given the age of Doom II, it stands up very well to the modern day FPS’s. Great level design with rewarding gameplay that is unforgiving and can prove hard as nails will have you spending many an hour trying to complete it. I love the way ID Software has stayed faithful to the original game and not felt the need to cater to the COD generation and adapt the game with modern graphics and some other overhauls. It is definitely worthy of the money to buy it and the reminiscence value itself should be enough for you to want to make the purchase.
