Doom 3

Doom 3 VR suffers somewhat from being a product of its time, and not everything works after this transition to VR.

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"Doom 3" is a horror/action first-person shooter that includes the original 2004 game and the Resurrection of Evil expansion. In the game, you must fight your way through a demonic invasion at the Union Aerospace Corporation's Mars Research Facility and investigate a mysterious beacon in the facility's ruins in the expansion. The game includes new demons and weapons to battle them with. The BFG Edition of the game is also included, offering a remastered version of the original gameplay experience.

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Play Modes

Reviews

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,528 reviews

story198 positive mentions

stability29 negative mentions

story
929 mentions
21 % positive mentions
74 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story in "Doom 3: BFG Edition" is more developed than in previous entries, featuring a narrative that unfolds through cutscenes, audio logs, and emails, which provide context to the horror elements and gameplay. While some players appreciate the atmospheric storytelling and the inclusion of the new "Lost Mission" campaign, others criticize it for being slow-paced and lacking depth, often feeling like a collection of recycled content. Overall, the game attempts to blend horror and action with a more substantial plot, but opinions vary on its effectiveness and engagement.
- “Doom 3 is almost a 'reboot' but it follows its role; it has a story, cutscenes, dialogues, and is extremely 3D... 'realistic for the time'.”
- “In my opinion, Doom 3 was the best title of the 'Doom' series so far - in this game, there's a real story being told, like in an atmospheric, dense, and dark interactive horror movie.”
- “The story is quite good! It provides context for things like how the chainsaw ended up here.”
- “The storyline is non-existent.”
- “The story is not deep, but it serves its purpose and does a fine job.”
- “While the attempt to provide a more story-driven experience is commendable, the storytelling feels disjointed and lacks the impact and depth of other Doom games.”
graphics
622 mentions
25 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The graphics in Doom 3: BFG Edition have received mixed reviews, with many praising the enhanced visuals, improved lighting, and textures that contribute to a more immersive experience compared to the original. However, some players feel that the graphical upgrades are minimal and that the game suffers from outdated elements, such as character models and a lack of customization options. Overall, while the graphics were groundbreaking at release, they may not hold up to modern standards, leading to a polarized reception among players.
- “The game features enhanced visuals, including improved lighting, textures, and sound, all of which contribute to a more immersive experience.”
- “The graphics have aged decently.”
- “The graphics are outstanding even for today; the Unreal Engine's realistic lighting can put to shame some of today's games.”
- “The graphics are outdated, people are whining about the ability to use flashlight whilst still holding a gun (which you can't do in the original version) and there's not much of a story line in this game.”
- “The last thing I want to talk about is the aesthetics, which do not hold up in terms of the art style, the details of the textures aren't defined enough, even by its generation's standards, the lighting for the most of the time is non-existent and strains the eyes.”
- “The graphics are so dated that they don't really scare you anymore, but annoy you.”
gameplay
504 mentions
22 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Doom 3 has been a point of contention among players, with many noting its shift from the fast-paced action of earlier titles to a slower, horror-focused experience. While the BFG Edition introduces quality-of-life improvements, such as a shoulder-mounted flashlight and increased ammo availability, it has also been criticized for diminishing the tension and challenge that characterized the original. Overall, the gameplay remains engaging for those who appreciate its atmospheric design and horror elements, but it may not satisfy fans seeking the classic Doom run-and-gun experience.
- “The gameplay mechanics remain faithful to the original while benefiting from some quality-of-life improvements.”
- “With enhanced graphics, additional content, and improved gameplay mechanics, it offers a thrilling journey for both newcomers and returning fans.”
- “The gameplay and entire feel is completely different which in my opinion was a great change.”
- “It's just an infinite hallway with little to no change in gameplay.”
- “Overall, it's an incredibly repetitive and frustrating gameplay loop.”
- “The gameplay is just not varied enough and fighting demons isn't that fun.”
atmosphere
358 mentions
50 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Doom 3 is widely praised for its immersive and chilling qualities, characterized by beautifully rendered environments, eerie sound design, and a focus on horror elements that create a tense and claustrophobic experience. While some players appreciate the game's slower pace and narrative depth, others feel that the remastered versions have diminished the original's dark ambiance and tension. Overall, Doom 3 is recognized as a standout entry in the series for its atmospheric achievements, despite some criticisms regarding gameplay and level design.
- “The chilling soundtrack and unsettling audio cues immerse players in the dark atmosphere, making every encounter feel impactful.”
- “With its eerie atmosphere and heart-pounding combat, Doom 3 is a chilling trip to hell and back!”
- “The atmosphere is genuinely unsettling at parts and if you play this game on veteran mode like I did, you will always be on high alert.”
- “Compared to the original, this remaster or whatever you want to call it lacks any sense of atmosphere or tension that the game carried.”
- “It's unfortunate because the atmosphere is impeccable.”
- “Unfortunately this version takes the two aspects of the original doom 3 that made it quite enjoyable and throws them out of the window: atmosphere and challenge.”
music
191 mentions
23 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the lack of a robust soundtrack during gameplay, often citing the absence of memorable tracks compared to earlier entries in the series. While some appreciate the chilling ambient sounds that enhance the horror atmosphere, others criticize the limited music options and the inability to adjust audio settings, leading to a feeling of laziness in design. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as insufficient, with only a few standout pieces, primarily the main menu theme, leaving many players longing for the iconic heavy metal soundtracks of previous Doom titles.
- “The chilling soundtrack and unsettling audio cues immerse players in the dark atmosphere, making every encounter feel impactful.”
- “The soundtrack and the sound design is amazing, and just pumps up the atmosphere even more.”
- “The music is creepy atmospheric most of the time, and hearing noises around you while wearing headphones not only builds tension, but helps you pinpoint where some of the hidden enemies are.”
- “Also, there are no audio options at all in this game; you can't even turn the music off. Just sheer laziness to leave out such basic audio settings.”
- “The little music there was has been removed from areas of the game.”
- “This game has no music (except in the main menu).”
optimization
50 mentions
20 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on modern hardware, while others report significant issues such as stuttering, low frame rates, and poor audio optimization. While the BFG edition offers improvements and can run smoothly on lower-end systems, many users still find the original Doom 3 and its expansions poorly optimized, leading to frustration during gameplay. Overall, the game's optimization appears inconsistent, with some experiencing a smooth experience and others facing persistent performance problems.
- “It's very well optimized, even though this is a pretty old game, it can run on almost every toaster in this world.”
- “Doom 3, Resurrection of Evil, and the all-new ‘Lost Mission’ have all been optimized in stereoscopic 3D (on supported hardware), further immersing the player in the demonic world of this terrifying horror masterpiece.”
- “Sure, this bundle includes Ultimate Doom, Doom II (with No Rest for the Living) and a remastered version of Doom 3 that has a significant amount of graphics, engine, and performance-related improvements.”
- “Don't buy this game just for Doom 1 & 2; they don't run well at all, they aren't optimized and are basically unplayable. You're better off downloading GZDoom (enhanced Doom engine) and getting the WADs for them from various fan websites.”
- “The visuals are okay, but there's no disguising that the game is horribly optimized.”
- “Terrible optimization, rivaled only by the developer's technical support.”
humor
37 mentions
92 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The humor in Doom 3 is a mixed bag, with some players finding it unintentionally funny due to its over-the-top horror elements and absurd situations, such as the exaggerated enemy designs and quirky in-game logs. While some moments, like the main character's facial expressions and humorous emails, provide comic relief, others feel out of place in the game's darker narrative. Overall, the humor often stems from the game's attempts at horror, leading to a blend of genuine laughs and unintentional comedy.
- “The first two games have weirdly funny moments, and the story in Doom 3 is interestingly dark.”
- “Hilariously excessive amount of ammo and health pickups.”
- “Combine that with the hilarious turkey punch-out arcade cabinet found in the canteen, and this is a prize winner!”
stability
36 mentions
19 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
81 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users reporting significant bugs, glitches, and crashes that hinder gameplay. While some players noted that earlier Doom titles ran smoothly, Doom 3 in particular is plagued by issues such as freezing during saves, scripting glitches, and graphical problems, making it frustrating for those who hoped for a seamless experience. Overall, the game appears to require extensive troubleshooting and may not be worth the investment for players seeking a stable gaming experience.
- “No bugs, no glitches - nice.”
- “Runs great even on a potato.”
- “Other than that, it runs great and looks beautiful and is quite fun.”
- “Sad to say you're better off skipping unless you want to deal with a significant amount of troubleshooting to get it running.”
- “I can tell you the game was shipped with the last update without being tested; on the first levels, there are already scripting glitches.”
- “And the icing on the cake is that the game freezes every time it saves or you quicksave, and prepare yourself, there is no way to skip cutscenes and intro videos.”
grinding
35 mentions
3 % positive mentions
9 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and monotonous, often leading to frustration with repetitive combat and backtracking through similar environments. Many reviews highlight that the gameplay can feel like a slog, with enemy encounters becoming predictable and lacking excitement, which detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the atmosphere and design, the consensus leans towards grinding being a significant drawback that can diminish enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “At the end, it got a little too tedious.”
- “The main complaint I have with this title is the tediousness of taking one step to have something spawn behind you and having to do that every freaking step you take.”
- “It is scary the first hour or so, but then turns into a boring and monotonous brain-killing, tedious adventure.”
replayability
29 mentions
34 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Overall, the replayability of the game is mixed. While some players find the bundled content of Doom 1 and 2, along with new achievements, enhances replay value significantly, others criticize the lack of replayability in Doom 3 itself due to unskippable cutscenes and a scripted experience. The BFG Edition is noted for improving playability, but many still feel it lacks the depth for repeated playthroughs.
- “The game comes with endless replay value, following nostalgic bonuses, and shouldn't be missed by anyone.”
- “Replayability at its best with all the DLCs and both previous titles.”
- “Bought for the nostalgia, stayed because it's an awesome replayable set of games I'll always enjoy.”
- “There’s not much replayability here, sadly.”
- “Maybe a mod fixes it, but this game has no replayability if that's what you want.”
- “You can't skip cutscenes, which really hurts replay value.”
monetization
8 mentions
13 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many users labeling it as a cash grab, particularly criticizing the lack of genuine improvements and the presence of unsatisfactory monetization practices. However, some players appreciate the absence of microtransactions and loot boxes, highlighting a preference for straightforward gameplay. Overall, the sentiment leans towards disappointment regarding the game's financial practices.
- “No microtransactions, no lootboxes, just plain good old fun.”
- “Resurrection of Evil was a cash grab, wasn't even made by id.”
- “We fell for a massive cash grab!”
- “A disappointing cash grab that is very frustrating.”
emotional
8 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game lacks emotional depth and impactful moments, with players expressing a desire for more engaging and memorable scenes. While some moments evoke frustration, such as enemy spawning mechanics and weapon effectiveness, there are hints of nostalgia and joy tied to the game's graphics and certain gameplay elements. Overall, the emotional experience is seen as underwhelming and in need of enhancement.
- “I begin my analysis by saying that this game would have needed more depth, twists, or in any case some peculiar and emotional scenes, capable of impressing and leaving their mark on a psychological level.”
- “I didn't even play Doom 3 that much because the port of old Dooms made me cry.”
- “It's about how sometimes, I want to cry tears of joy because in some situations, you don't actually need a flashlight at all!”
character development
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The game's character development is notably weak, featuring an anonymous protagonist with no growth or depth, and uninspired NPC designs that are reused across different characters. Players seeking a rich narrative experience with meaningful character arcs will likely be disappointed.
- “That said, the game's story and character development are somewhat lacking.”
- “You play an anonymous marine with no character development at all.”
- “So if you are looking for a game with character development, you will not find it here.”