classicgames.org - DOOM

Let me be frank for a moment. I hold a personal grudge against DOOM simply because this first-person shooter signalled the beginning of the end for DOS shareware games. Keep in mind that up to the time that DOOM was released, 90% of my shareware was obtained through friends, occassional BBS downloads, and a super-elite catalog. I knew that the end of an era was coming the moment I saw them selling the full version of DOOM retail at my local computer store [note: as one astute reader pointed out, this was most likely Final Doom or another add-on since DOOM was not for retail sale]. I was filled with both fear and awe. I was happy that id Software would make loads of money, and I was sad that a game from id Software was sitting next to games from the distinctly non-underground Sierra and LucasArts.

All whining aside, DOOM is arguably the best shareware game ever. I personally disagree, but its slick, bug-free interface and high quality on both the technical and conceptual levels leaves little doubt that it is both a ground-breaking and super-damn-fun title.

My favorite thing about DOOM is the musical score. As much as I love the futuristic techno of other releases, the industrial rock theme on the first level will be with me forever. I'll admit, the music is less well-done than that which you'd find in most Epic MegaGames releases, but it's very fitting for the environment you're in.

I suppose I will elaborate for those of you who are unfamiliar with the premise of the game. You are a space marine on a corporate base on a moon of Mars. The corporation experimented with opening gateways to other dimensions and suddenly demons from hell start pouring out of these gateways, driving the staff insane and transforming the base into a nightmare dungeon. It's your job as the only living person around to kill everything and seal up the portals.

The interface is not unlike Wolf, although a friend of mine in back in December '93 (when the game was released) described it as "that game where all you can see is your gun". This is basically true (if you play with the shotgun, my preferred weapon, all that is visible is your gun reloading). DOOM boasts non-orthognal (i.e., slanted) walls, killer AI, variable height floors and ceilings, advanced light sources, and of course, deathmatches.

Let's see, what else... oh yes: the gameplay is seamless, the weapons are cool, the monsters are scary, and the levels are well-designed. And I have to give some story points to the game for the highly grizzled "to be continued" screen upon completion of the shareware episode.

To sum it up, DOOM is an incredibly well-made game for which I harbor nigh-unsubstantiated hatred.

Posted by Darius on 2000-09-01

I have a confession to make: when DOOM was new, I didn't care for it at all.

That probably seems ridiculously hypocritical for someone who runs an archive of classic shareware games. I did fully appreciate the technical wizardry, and I spent many hours studying the techniques that Carmack used to make the world so immersive and intricate. I had nothing but respect for the first-rate visuals, too. Somehow, though, I just didn't find the run-and-shoot game to be engaging enough to warrant returning again and again. In fact, I never really enjoyed the whole genre of first-person shooters.

My attitude changed completely no more than two weeks ago. I hadn't really played DOOM in a couple years, but I happened to start up a deathmatch with fellow classicgames Creator Darius K. and another friend -- let's call him "J. Pascaleff". After a couple hours of rockets, plasma, and shotguns, I finally appreciated the raw, violent entertainment that DOOM provides so well.

The game is not perfect. For example, as J. Pascaleff pointed out, "there wasn't really anything between the pink demons and the barons of hell". This flaw is corrected, however, by the commercial DOOM II, which is everything that a sequel should be: more enemies and harder levels, but the same adrenaline-rush gameplay that made the original a classic.

DOOM still lives today, thanks to Carmack's willingness to release the source code to the public. Modifications such as zdoom provide all the modern features that players want, including proper TCP/IP networking and high res video support. In short, there's no excuse for you young punks who can't remember life before Quake. Download DOOM, haul out your shotgun, and blow away some Cacodemons.

Posted by Kevin on 2001-08-19

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