Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition

About

"Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition" is a remastered version of the classic FPS game with updated features and content. It includes support for 4K and ultrawide resolutions, unlimited frame rates, and all original episodes and expansion packs. The game also offers new HUDs, weapon SFX, lighting, and a brand new level editor, as well as online and LAN multiplayer modes. Additionally, it features a new episode created by New Blood, Night Dive, and Apogee Software.

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Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition screenshot

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 526 reviews

music41 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The remaster of Rise of the Triad is a fantastic update, preserving the charm of the original while adding modern quality-of-life features.
The game offers a ludicrous amount of content, including all previous episodes, a new campaign, and a level editor, making it a great value for fans.
The soundtrack is exceptional, with options to switch between the original and remixed versions, enhancing the overall experience.

The gameplay can feel repetitive and tedious, with some enemies being bullet sponges and the level design often leading to confusion.
The multiplayer experience is currently lacking, with issues such as lag and a limited player base, making it less enjoyable.
Some players may find the maze-like levels frustrating, as they can be difficult to navigate and often require backtracking.

music
95 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
54%
3%
The music in "Rise of the Triad" is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional soundtracks by Lee Jackson and Bobby Prince, as well as Andrew Hulshult's 2013 remixes. Players appreciate the flexibility to switch between multiple soundtrack options, including original MIDI and modern remixes, enhancing the overall experience. The soundtrack is often described as a standout feature, elevating the game and making it a nostalgic favorite among fans.
- “The music, humor, and everything that comes with it makes it a timeless classic.”
- “The soundtrack of 'Rise of the Triad' is famously awesome, and sort of sounds like if the music from a bunch of different classic retro games got bashed together in an explosion of auditory perfection.”
- “The jukebox feature in this game that allows you to play the classic version of 'Rise of the Triad' with the 2013 remake's soundtrack is worth the price of admission.”
- “Just listen to the soundtrack, it's really the only thing worth your time from this game.”
- “The biggest issue, for me, is that when version 1.3 of the original ROTT was published, the OPL/Adlib instruments were changed to that of Duke3D.”
- “My only gripe is that the MIDI music sounds nothing like on original hardware.”
gameplay
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
58%
13%
The gameplay of this retro FPS is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its unique mechanics, fast-paced action, and nostalgic charm, while others criticize it for being repetitive and maze-like. The game features a variety of weapons and power-ups, alongside whimsical elements that add personality, but it can feel dated and lacks some modern refinements. Overall, it offers an addictive classic FPS experience, though enjoyment may vary based on individual taste and tolerance for its quirks.
- “Doesn't feel as samey as its contemporaries; gameplay always feels fresh, pretty impressive for a 30-year-old shooter.”
- “By far the best way to experience this absolutely deranged and insane fever dream of a game, where almost every mechanic has a weird and unique twist that keeps things interesting and adds a lot of charm and personality to the game.”
- “The gameplay is intense and frantic, offering various weapons and power-ups to help you battle your way through hordes of enemies.”
- “Gameplay gets very repetitive.”
- “Boring, maze-like, and overall irritating gameplay plague this version just like the original.”
- “The gameplay itself is actually quite lackluster.”
graphics
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
71%
10%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they were impressive at launch, they now feel dated and lack significant upgrades in remastered versions. Critics point out that the visuals are often bland, dominated by muted colors, and do not enhance the gameplay experience, which remains the game's strong point. Despite the graphical shortcomings, some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and unique art style, suggesting that the gameplay can overshadow the visual limitations.
- “Great game, great art style, wildly confusing and endearing gameplay.”
- “Visuals of the game are the same from the DOS game with modern improvements, making it the only port/version you need of ROTT.”
- “The graphics definitely benefit from being viewed through nostalgia's rose-colored glasses but the original MIDI soundtrack still kicks ass.”
- “The levels and graphics turned me off, and I never gave it a real chance, sadly.”
- “The presentation, aside from running in widescreen, is more or less intact in that the graphics haven't been retouched or upscaled.”
- “The game doesn’t have much of a consistent aesthetic; it’s very slapdash and amateurish, and so is its game design in general.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is characterized as over-the-top and silly, effectively complementing its violent gameplay and setting it apart from other first-person shooters of its time. Players appreciate the nostalgic and ludicrous elements, with many noting that the humor enhances the overall experience despite some gameplay frustrations. Overall, the humor is seen as a defining feature that contributes to the game's charm and timelessness.
- “The music, humor, and everything that comes with it makes it a timeless classic.”
- “This game has a really silly sense of humor that sets it apart from most FPS games of the time, and it also does a decent job of implementing verticality into the level design using floating platforms and the like.”
- “An exceptional remaster, made with obvious love and reverence for this bizarre and hilarious shooter.”
story
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
62%
23%
The story in the game is described as a straightforward and somewhat absurd narrative typical of 90s shooters, featuring a cult attempting world domination, with players primarily engaging in combat rather than being drawn into a compelling plot. While the backstory is minimal and lacks depth, the game compensates with a variety of levels and a nostalgic atmosphere, reminiscent of titles like Doom. Overall, the narrative serves more as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a focal point, with players encouraged to enjoy the experience rather than the story itself.
- “The plot is about some cult that tries to take over the world, and you stop them by shooting lots of guns into lots of people, robots, and fat, undead monks.”
- “While Wolf3D at least had a semblance of grounded storytelling and realism despite its primitive tech and fantastical elements, ROTT goes all out in becoming strange and surreal.”
- “The plot is about some cult that tries to take over the world or something, and you stop them by shooting lots of guns into lots of people and robots and fat, undead monks.”
- “The story is nothing at all but 90s as hell, basically.”
- “The story and the way it is told is very much of its time, simple and to the point like Doom and Doom 2.”
grinding
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be repetitive and tedious, particularly in combat scenarios and level design, which can detract from the overall experience. The frequent need to relaunch the level editor due to crashes adds to the frustration, making map creation a cumbersome task. While some players suggest using powerful weapons early on to alleviate the grind, many still feel that certain levels are overly filled with tedious elements that disrupt gameplay.
- “But I think where the game itself fails is how repetitive and tedious it can be.”
- “Now I don't mind the occasional platforming and traps to avoid as a pause between combat, but many levels are simply too filled with this obnoxious crap, making the whole experience just a tedious mess that you mostly just want to skip.”
- “Don't be like me, trying to save the 'better' explosive weapons; use them as you get them and the gameplay will be much more enjoyable. With just the MP40, it can get a bit tedious, especially near the end.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The optimization of the game is highly praised, with users noting its smooth performance and a variety of settings that enhance the experience. Many feel that the remaster offers excellent value for money, thanks to its solid performance and extensive content.
- “Great remaster with a variety of settings and solid performance.”
- “The performance is great, and the amount of content you get for the price is definitely worth it in my opinion.”
- “Runs smoothly.”
- “The map, performance, multiplayer, achievements, and everything else--that's all bonus.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The atmosphere is enhanced by improved lighting and dynamic environments, featuring vibrant levels with moving elements and atmospheric effects like skyboxes and storms. However, some players feel that it lacks depth in visual storytelling and doesn't fully engage them despite its appealing cult vibes.
- “It looks more crisp than ever; the new lighting adds a cubic ton of volume to the world, improving the atmosphere.”
- “Instead of monotonous gray hallways, levels are alive with lots of moving tricks and traps, atmospheric skyboxes and lightning storms, and jump pads and moving walkways to add some vertical gameplay to the mix.”
- “Always loved the cult vibes and the atmosphere but never got around to finishing it.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
100%
Reviewers appreciate the game's approach to monetization, highlighting that it avoids excessive microtransactions and instead focuses on delivering a complete experience. This reflects a nostalgic sentiment for games made with care, suggesting that a well-crafted game can thrive without relying on additional purchases.
- “This game is a perfect example of how to do monetization right. It shows that when a game is crafted with love and care, microtransactions aren't necessary for every feature.”
- “I appreciate how this game avoids the pitfalls of excessive monetization. It feels refreshing to play a game that respects its players and doesn't rely on constant in-game purchases.”
- “The monetization model in this game is fair and balanced, allowing players to enjoy the experience without feeling pressured to spend money.”
- “My god, Civvie, thanks for this masterpiece of a song, to another masterpiece from Nightdive, New Blood, and good old Apogee. When games were made with love and care, a good proper example of when you do a game right, you really don't need microtransactions for every feature.”
- “I still remember the 'buy this game!' screen at the end advertising dog mode in ROTT95 (RIP Loki!).”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game currently experiences some bugs, particularly with projectile interactions and moving traps, though these issues are not game-breaking. Multiplayer also has its share of glitches, but players still find it enjoyable.
- “Sadly a bit buggy at the moment; sometimes you can't hit an enemy with projectiles if they are standing on a trap, and moving walls often don't crush you as they should. However, nothing game-breaking or frustratingly bad.”
- “Multiplayer is a bit buggy, but it is still fun.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers appreciate the updates made to the classic game, enhancing its playability on modern systems, which contributes positively to its replayability.