Doom 3: BFG Edition (PS3) - 3. Alpha Labs [Nightmare]
1id Software's sequel to the grandfather of the First-Person-Shooter genre, Doom 3 brings back alot of memories.
Like Ace Combat 04, I had previously put up a playthrough related to this game, albeit with the truncated Xbox version. While I feel very strongly about Doom 3, or atleast in the form it originally released in on Microsoft's console back in 2005, I am not quite as rose-tinted about the updated "BFG Edition" that id Software put out on Xbox 360/PS3 some years later.
Do not get me wrong, this is a fine way to experience Doom 3 on a games console and it has incredible value for money. Doom 3 itself (mostly) runs at 60FPS at 720p, maintaining the core identity of id Software's original game: All levels, weapons and enemies in-tact. Doom 3 BFG Edition also includes the expansion pack: Resurrection of Evil (of which I will also eventually play), a new set of "Lost Levels" and even updated ports of Doom 1 and 2 for PlayStation 3. The controls have similarly been fine-tuned to better operate on a controller, with generous auto-aim and analogue movement. BFG Edition likewise adds in checkpoint autosaves before progressing into difficult sections of a level (i.e. boss fights). At the time of it's release, many gamers cried foul at BFG Edition's introduction of a shoulder mounted flashlight, which could be activated for a short-period while carrying any weapon, thereby making the dark corridors a little more visible in some of the tighter areas of Doom 3's gameplay. However, in my opinion, the change to the flashlight was not only welcome but necessary, especially on Nightmare Difficulty.
Sadly the actual issues with Doom 3: BFG Edition are all inherent with the game's 2004 release as it dips its toe in a few different design choices, focusing more on narrative with story-based collectibles (i.e. interactive displays, PDAs and videos) and less on the pure, visceral thrills found in Classic Doom of yore. The inspiration of survival horror is notable, with Event Horizon providing an effective template for Doom 3's bleak and corrupted, futurisitc aesthetic. That said It feels bizarre how ammo distribution is so easily obtained, especially for powerful guns like the plasma rifle, especially when the game anticipates you as a player to actively hunt down ammo and upgrades in password-encrypted lockers, listen in on secrets through audio-logs (ala System Shock) and take-in the Mars experience at large.
I do not dislike Doom 3, I find the gunplay can be highly engrossing and some of the modern updates to classic Doom foes (particularly the Imp) are inspired. However, Doom 3 has not aged nearly as well as similar shooters, like Half-Life 2, Metroid Prime or Halo 2. It is only fair I mention that Doom 3's map design is largely bland, with cut-and-paste, claustraphobic, corridors and monster closets becoming not only reptitive but downright frustrating during some instances of gameplay. It is clear the campaign runs out of steam by the end, as even the final boss in the Hell Knight is a simple back and forth to fight (as evident in this video series) rather than truly testing the player's wits or skill.
In some ways, it is unfortunate that Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal exist since it captures the vibe of Doom 3's horror so well, while also playing as seamlessly as either Doom 2 or Ultimate Doom did so many years before it. And now, with Sony seemingly uninterested in PlayStation 3 backwards compatibility, the game has disappeared into obscurity as we move on to bigger and bolder experiences.
Oh, it should be mentioned, this is my first PlayStation 3 playthrough using a new capture card: The Elgato HD60X. My recording was actually made at 1440p thanks to the RetroTINK-5X Pro's experimental 720px2 mode, which makes the game look infinitely better on a modern display. Unfortunately the capture card software isn't all that amazing, and there are a couple visible glitches in this playthrough series as a result, but the picture quality otherwise looks remarkable for PlayStation 3, in spite of that.
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A LEGAL NOTICE:
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Any copyrighted footage I use is covered under fair use laws, or more specifically those listed under Section 30(1) of the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1989 and under section 107 of US Copyright Act 1976. This video exists purely for the purpose of research and criticism. I do not make a profit from any uploaded content, nor do I intend to. Thank you for watching.
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