Rise of the Triad: Dark War

About

"Rise of the Triad: Dark War" is a comedy-themed first-person shooter, serving as the successor to Wolfenstein 3D with an improved 3D engine. The game features both single-player and multi-player modes, with diverse levels and obstacles including stairs, floating platforms, and jump pads for high jumps. The graphics are composed of blocks, adding to the unique and nostalgic aesthetic.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 63 reviews

music10 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

The game offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic 90's FPS titles, with vibrant personality and engaging gameplay.
The soundtrack is highly praised, with many players considering it one of the best aspects of the game.
Despite its dated graphics and some control issues, the game is still fun and provides a good level of challenge, especially for fans of retro shooters.

The controls can be frustrating, with issues like unresponsive mouse movement and a lack of modern control options, making the game difficult to play for some users.
Level design can be confusing and tedious, with sprawling maps that may lead to players getting lost or feeling overwhelmed.
Technical issues with source ports and the game's reliance on DOSBox can hinder the experience, making it hard for new players to enjoy the game as intended.

music
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
32%
16%
The music in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting it as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. Descriptions include terms like "kick ass," "rocking soundtrack," and "truly amazing," indicating that the soundtrack is not only enjoyable but also memorable, with some even considering it one of their favorites of all time. However, there are some concerns about the audio mixing, as players noted that sound effects can overpower the music at times.
- “A good game, a good port, and a rocking soundtrack!”
- “Rise of the Triad has one of my favorite game soundtracks of all time.”
- “Awesome gameplay, awesome music, awesome challenges, awesome throwback to my childhood!”
- “Unfortunately, this game doesn't provide OST DLC, which I would really like to buy; it would be worth every ruble (or cent).”
- “It adds no new elements like music or gameplay; instead, it's more like a hack that replaces levels with its own.”
- “There is even piano music that sounds Castlevania-worthy.”
gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
Gameplay reviews are mixed, with some players enjoying the fast-paced, fun multiplayer experience and satisfying weapon mechanics, while others find the controls frustrating and the levels tedious. The game features verticality and environmental elements like trampolines, but some criticize it for lacking innovation and feeling like a hack rather than a fresh experience. Overall, it serves as a nostalgic introduction to game mechanics, despite some inconsistencies in execution.
- “Levels have at least 2 tiers of verticality, and include trampolines in the environment to 'jump', and an aim up/down mechanic.”
- “Good for introducing to game mechanics, enemies, etc.”
- “Awesome gameplay, awesome music, awesome challenges, awesome throwback to my childhood!”
- “For me, the presentation, controls, and gameplay are a turn-off.”
- “The character turns randomly within the first few seconds of gameplay and doesn't stop.”
- “It adds no new elements like music or gameplay; instead, it's more like a hack that replaces levels with its own.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be overwhelmingly tedious and confusing, often detracting from the otherwise enjoyable fast-paced gameplay and satisfying weapon mechanics. While the game features charming presentation and innovative ideas, the repetitive nature of certain levels and tasks can lead to frustration.
- “It is easily the most tedious, confusing headache of an FPS that I've played in recent memory.”
- “It makes better use of rocket launchers for once, but shooting him down when out of rockets gets tedious.”
- “They are also boring and tedious.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story of "Rise of the Triad" is noted for its intriguing connection to id Software, with a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment of the often simplistic nature of video game plots, likening them to adult film narratives. The narrative serves as a backdrop rather than a focal point, with a humorous warning against choosing a character named Lorelei.
- “There's a very interesting story behind Rise of the Triad.”
- “Because that's what this story is all about – ID Software.”
- “The moral of the story: don't pick Lorelei.”
- “Because that's what this story is all about – id Software.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The "Rise of the Triad" series offers a solid replayability factor, with multiple versions featuring a variety of episodes and areas to explore. The shareware version includes 11 playable areas, while the full version expands this to 34, and the addon pack introduces additional content and unique gameplay approaches across 40 areas. Overall, players can enjoy diverse experiences and challenges across the different iterations of the game.
- “The variety of levels in 'Rise of the Triad: Dark War' keeps me coming back for more; with 37 areas to explore, there's always something new to discover.”
- “'Extreme Rise of the Triad' adds so much depth with its unique approaches to stages, making each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
- “Even in the shareware version of 'Rise of the Triad: The Hunt Begins', the 13 areas provide enough content to replay and enjoy multiple times.”
- “The shareware version of 'Rise of the Triad: The Hunt Begins' has limited areas, making replayability feel constrained.”
- “'Rise of the Triad: Dark War' offers a full version with more content, but the core gameplay doesn't change much, leading to a lack of incentive for replaying.”
- “'Extreme Rise of the Triad' adds unique elements, but ultimately, the gameplay feels repetitive and doesn't encourage multiple playthroughs.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The graphics are considered dated by some players, yet they do not detract from the overall enjoyment of the gameplay, which remains highly praised. Additionally, the music complements the game's experience effectively.
- “The graphics and even the music of this totally awesome game!”
- “Graphics are dated but gameplay is just as great.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users find the humor in the game to be particularly effective, often highlighting moments of irony and repetition, such as a character experiencing the same comedic situation as another.
- “What's even funnier, though, is that the same exact thing happened with Tom.”
- “The humor in this game is absolutely top-notch, with clever jokes and hilarious situations that keep you laughing.”
- “I love how the game uses witty dialogue and absurd scenarios to create a lighthearted atmosphere.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is enjoyable and runs well on DOSBox, the included emulator, but players note that alternative emulators can provide even better performance.
- “This game is fun, even on DOSBox that it comes with, although there are emulators for even better performance.”