2K Games finally released 3D Realms game, long awaited Duke Nukem Forever. The game was released 15 years after the development started – most of the time work was done and undone by 3D Realms, they switched engines, scrapped levels, built things piece by piece until they finally ran out of money to continue development. Lucky for us gamers, Gearbox Software took the project under their wings, and finished the project in co-operation with Triptych Games and Piranha Games.
After 15 years, what did we finally get into our hands?
According to some, we got nothing but steaming pile of shit, yet according to others, we finally got a masterpiece worthy of Duke’s reputation.
Sure, the game is ‘consolized’, as we PC gamers tend to say from far too many games today, rightfully or not, but does that necessarily ruin the game?
In my humble opinion, no, it doesn’t. Of course some elements of the game almost yell “play with me with gamepad” instead of far superior keyboard & mouse kombo, and saves are only done on pre-determined checkpoints rather than when player wants so, but that’s about it.
Every other element in the game could be from PC exclusive FPS game just as well.
It doesn’t let you explore around too much, but a gamer who doesn’t just run through the game will find several “hidden rooms” or “extras” that take you off the straight course through the level, which is more than most modern games offer.
What about the reputation and big expectations the game had to live up to?
Some claim that only thing common with the good old Duke Nukem 3D is the name and the immortal catch lines Duke throws into air like ‘I got balls of steel’ and ‘It’s time to kick ass and chew bubble gum, and I’m all outta gum’.
I, however, found a lot more in common with the predecessor, all the crude humor, objectification of women, sexual themes, dark humor and everything in place, as well as the general gameplay even though there’s new elements to it too, like driving around as shrunk Duke with a RC truck as well as full-sized monster truck, but those are only added spice to what I find to be one of the best modern shooters, beating easily Call of Battlefield part XXV: Modern War or some such.
The graphics of the game could use some updating, but let’s face it – had Gearbox & co gone to upgrade the graphics engine we would still be waiting, and graphics isn’t nearly as important as gameplay is.
Sound design works fine in general, though I think Dukes lines could have used some work, as they sometimes sound more like they’re “dubbed on” (well, obviously, they are, but you get the draft) rather than said by Duke in the game.
The game is running on widely popular Unreal Engine (2.x generation), though the tidbits which 3D Realms slipped during the long development tell that the graphics engine is completely in-house built engine instead of Unreal Engines. The renderer, though, appears to be finalized around 2007-2008 era, as the game tech demonstrations from that era match the final game completely – so it’s obvious the graphics from 3 years ago can’t match newest titles out there, but they’re still easily enough not to bother the gamer, IMO.
Before they settled on Unreal Engine, Duke Nukem was first started on Quake Engine, but 3D Realms quite quickly switched over to Unreal Engine, which later got updated to build 2 and 2.x, and the renderer to 3D Realms’ in-house built renderer.
So what is my verdict?
Duke Nukem Forever is worthy sequel for Duke Nukem 3D, modernized to (almost) todays standards, trying to keep some of the elements of the old days of extra rooms, with possibly alternative ways to go forth, in the todays world of “tubes” where player has absolutely no way to slip away from the meant course even for a second.
Gameplay: 9/10
Graphics: 8/10
Total: 8½/10
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