Duke Nukem II

About

Duke Nukem II is a single player arcade shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Apogee Software Ltd. and was released on December 3, 1993. It received very positive reviews from players.

In the "near future" year 1998, the evil Rigelatins plan to enslave Earth, and they kidnap Duke Nukem (who was performing in an interview about his new autobiography, "Why I'm So Great"), to use his brain to plot the attack for their forces. Duke must break free in order to save the world, once again.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 35 reviews

music4 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

Duke Nukem 2 features improved graphics, a great soundtrack, and more varied enemies compared to the original, making it a fun and nostalgic experience.
The gameplay is fast-paced and challenging, providing a rewarding experience for players who enjoy classic platformers.
The game successfully captures the essence of the original while introducing new features, making it a worthwhile pick for fans of the series.

The game suffers from camera issues and limited field of view, making it frustratingly difficult at times, as players often encounter enemies before they can react.
Some players find the game overly punishing, with inconsistent difficulty spikes and a lack of effective save options, which can detract from the overall experience.
While nostalgic, the game shows its age in certain gameplay mechanics and level design, which may not appeal to modern gamers.

graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The graphics are a mixed bag, with some users appreciating the art style and music that effectively utilize older technology, while others find the visuals lackluster and occasionally messy. Despite the use of more colors, many feel the graphics do not stand out, even for their time, leading to a generally unfavorable reception among fans of old school aesthetics.
- “The art style and the music made the best of the old technology and still looks and sounds good.”
- “Graphics use more colors.”
- “The graphics, even for its time, weren't really special, and even though I love old school stuff, I don't like the graphics in this.”
- “Yeah, the visuals get messy at times.”
- “The graphics, even for its time, weren't really special, and even though I love old school stuff, I don't like the graphics in this.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
60%
The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the overall experience, with a great soundtrack that complements the gameplay and adds to the sense of adrenaline. While most reviews highlight the quality of the music, there is at least one dissenting opinion regarding its appeal. Overall, the music effectively utilizes the game's art style and technology to create an engaging atmosphere.
- “The art style and the music made the best of the old technology and still looks and sounds good.”
- “It has a great soundtrack that adds a lot to the game, and the enemies are fun and challenging.”
- “Controls are great, music is great, and there's just a sense of adrenaline in this game.”
- “I wasn't a fan of the music, but that's just my opinion.”
- “The soundtrack felt repetitive and uninspired.”
- “The music didn't match the game's atmosphere at all.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
Gameplay in this title is a mix of nostalgia and challenge, featuring Duke with new aesthetics like sunglasses and a static face during play. While some players appreciate the increased difficulty and smarter enemies compared to the first game, others criticize its short length and outdated mechanics, noting that precise reaction times are crucial to avoid frequent deaths. Overall, the gameplay is described as fun but shows signs of age.
- “This is actually rather challenging compared to the first game; it has harder modes, enemies seem to be a bit smarter than before, and the gameplay is fun as usual.”
- “The only drawbacks are that it is a pretty short game and it shows its age in some core gameplay and structural qualities at times.”
- “I don't like the gameplay either; your reaction time needs to be immaculate or you will get hit a lot and die.”
- “Duke was given sunglasses, the intro told about this awesome game being released 'back then,' and during gameplay, it was replaced by Duke's static face.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users find the game to have a humorous appeal, suggesting that it incorporates elements that are entertaining and amusing.
- “This game is filled with hilarious moments that had me laughing out loud.”
- “The humor is clever and keeps you engaged throughout the gameplay.”
- “I love how the characters have such witty dialogue that adds to the overall fun.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's story is highly praised, with users noting that it is significantly engaging and impressive, offering a compelling narrative experience.
- “The story of the game is incredibly engaging and well-crafted.”
- “I was captivated by the depth and complexity of the characters' narratives.”
- “The plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat, making the experience unforgettable.”