Rise of the Triad: Dark War

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 92 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Rise of the Triad: Dark War Game Cover
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In "Rise of the Triad: Dark War," players join the elite "Holy Order of the Knights Templar" and must stop a cult's evil plans for world domination. The game features fast-paced, run-and-gun shooting mechanics with a variety of weapons and power-ups. With multiple difficulty levels and multiplayer options, players can test their skills both in single-player mode and against others online.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 92 reviews
music12 positive mentions
graphics3 negative mentions
  • Rise of the Triad: Dark War is a nostalgic throwback to classic FPS games like Doom and Wolfenstein, offering a fun and chaotic gameplay experience.
  • The game features a variety of unique power-ups and weapons, including the ability to turn into a dog, which adds a humorous and entertaining twist to the gameplay.
  • The soundtrack is highly praised, with many players noting it as one of the best aspects of the game, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The level design is often criticized for being confusing and maze-like, leading to frustration as players struggle to navigate through the environments.
  • Controls can be clunky and unresponsive, with many players reporting issues that make the game difficult to play, especially for those accustomed to modern FPS controls.
  • Some enemies, particularly in later levels, are described as tedious and overly difficult, which can detract from the enjoyment of the game.
  • music23 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its energetic and memorable soundtrack, often considering it one of the best in first-person shooters of its era. Composed by notable artists like Lee Jackson and Bobby Prince, the soundtrack enhances the gameplay experience and has even inspired custom content in other games. Despite some minor criticisms regarding sound mixing, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's enjoyment.

    • “The music kicks ass and so does the firebomb.”
    • “Rise of the Triad has one of my favorite game soundtracks of all time.”
    • “The midi soundtrack by Bobby Prince (if you've played the Doom or Duke Nukem series, you know his work) is rousing and pumps you up for combat, while the handcrafted levels are clever and full of secret alcoves.”
    • “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.”
    • “The music (by Lee Jackson and Robert Prince) is fantastic.”
  • gameplay12 mentions

    The gameplay is generally praised for its fun mechanics and retro-style graphics, appealing to fans of classic FPS games like Wolfenstein. While some players enjoy the engaging challenges and verticality in level design, others criticize issues such as character control and a lack of innovation in gameplay elements. Overall, it offers a mix of shooting and simple puzzles, with options for cheat codes to enhance the experience.

    • “With its retro-style graphics and engaging gameplay, this game truly captures the essence of classic FPS gaming.”
    • “Levels have at least 2 tiers of verticality -- and include trampolines in the environment to 'jump', with an aim up/down mechanic.”
    • “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.”
    • “Gameplay is as you'd expect, mostly shooting bad guys and occasionally solving a relatively simple puzzle.”
  • graphics5 mentions

    The game features retro-style graphics that evoke classic FPS gaming, which some players find dated but still enjoyable. Enhanced graphics packs are available for free, allowing players to improve the visual experience while maintaining engaging gameplay. Overall, the graphics complement the nostalgic feel and contribute to the game's fun atmosphere.

    • “With its retro-style graphics and engaging gameplay, this game truly captures the essence of classic FPS gaming.”
    • “The graphics are dated, but the gameplay is just as great.”
    • “If there are, there are enhanced graphics packs available for free.”
    • “Grab a copy, throw on the enhanced graphics packs, don't think too hard, and have a blast.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is overwhelmingly tedious and confusing, with players finding the repetitive tasks and mechanics, such as managing ammunition and engaging in combat, to be a significant drawback. Despite some innovative ideas and attempts to enhance gameplay, the overall experience is marred by monotony and frustration.

    • “It is easily the most tedious, confusing, headache of an FPS that I've played in recent memory.”
    • “Shooting him down when out of rockets gets tedious.”
    • “They are also boring and tedious.”
  • story5 mentions

    The story of "Rise of the Triad" is noted for its intriguing connection to id Software, with some users humorously referencing the often minimal narrative in games, likening it to adult films. Overall, the narrative is considered more engaging than that of "Halo 5," though it still carries a lighthearted tone.

    • “There's a very interesting story behind Rise of the Triad.”
    • “Better story than Halo 5.”
    • “The moral of the story: don't pick Lorelei.”
    • “Because that's what this story is all about – id Software.”
    • “Morale of the story: don't pick Lorelei.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game's replayability is significantly enhanced by the option to select from five distinct characters, each offering unique playstyles and abilities, ensuring varied experiences in each playthrough. Additionally, the multiple episodes and areas across different versions of the game provide ample content and diverse challenges to explore, further boosting replay value.

    • “The ability to choose between five different characters, each with their own playstyle and abilities, enhances replayability and guarantees a fresh experience with each playthrough.”
  • humor1 mentions

    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.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game performs well even on its included DOSBox emulator, but players note that using alternative emulators can enhance performance further.

    • “This game is fun, even on DOSBox that it comes with, although there are emulators for even better performance.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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