So for a long time now... I've been meaning to play Doom. Whilst not the original first-person shooter, it's one of the parenting games to a long line, and was probably far more played that Castle Wolfenstien. So what I had in my hands here, was a rare opportunity to play one of the originals, one of the games that defined gaming as a whole. And what did I get? 

A lackluster mess, overly pixelated, and terrible controls. Mind you, I was playing the game boy advance port ... that might of had a lot to do with it. But I figured the game boy advance version would have more accessible cheat codes so I could actually delve into every detail of the differences between easy and hard mode, different corners, different things to be seen and sought after. The codes didn't work for me, but more then that I just wanted a good view of things. And the pics seemed a lot brighter and more clean on the GBA screen shots. Little did I know what I was in for.

GRAPHICS: 2.
I cannot stress enough how terrible the graphics are. Graphics don't make a game... but they can sure as hell break one. Terrible graphics aren't just unappealing, but inhibit gameplay. The fact is when you cannot tell start from finish, because it's just a blurry pile of blockades and vaguely human resembling shapes coming at you... it makes for terrible gameplay. Now I know this is an older game, but I've seen plenty of games with far superior graphics then this. You mean to tell me that you can muster up more gorgeous and clean cut graphics for a power rangers game, over an iconic first-person shooter that was to completely replace it's predecessor?! Bad graphics do not just mean ugly graphics, they mean bad game design.

The "only" reason Doom gets a 2 instead of a 1, is that I like the colorful icons. It's almost like you're a Lego man... trapped in a grim dark environment. It's out of place, but I don't mind it. And at the very least, it makes telling items apart far more easy.

SOUND: 9.
I have to admit, the sound was actually pretty good. Far better then I expected. The vague moaning, and turning of doors and grunts the player character makes could use a lot of work. It all basically sounds like garbled mumbles, and it can make it extremely difficult to tell what's going on. Is that enemy behind me? Or just the game reminding me there are still enemies alive? Why did I grumble when I fell if I did not lose any health points?

But the music is superb. Not only a befitting orchestra, but it doesn't grow tiresome. Every level has it's own melody, and several of them actually sound like black metal records. The one where I gave up on the game had a tune much like Inquisition's "Solitary Death In The Nocturnal Woods". It's a mouth full, but definitely a brutal and memorable sound wave. But good music alone cannot save a game.

ADDICTIVENESS: 3.
I can't lie... you'll probably want to see the game entirely through. Maybe I will go back and play some more when I'm not tired, achy, and am in a more patient mood. The truth is, every level is unique in atmosphere. As the levels go onward, the twists and turns become more prevalent, you descend from a science fiction bordering atmosphere of metal doors, into dungeon halls and clearly are descending into hell... the enemies get smarter, more numerous, and the guns get more bad ass and memorable. Just when you think a shotgun is all you'd need with it's accuracy, you get a chaingun which it's spread will do you wonders when you see a horde coming at you. Savor every single round you get of the B.F.G.

STORY: 1.
You don't play a first-person shooter for the story. But it would have been nice to at least have a summary. We can assume that "Doom guy" is some sort of space marine, who finds himself fighting demons. How? Why? The game itself never explains. If your only outlet to the story is the back of the cover or the instruction manual, then that just shows completely laziness on the designer's part. Even Duke Nukem on the Commodore 64 said something along the lines of "Ninjas have taken the president! We need you Duke!" You've got a plot summary. No matter how ridiculous or poorly constructed it is. This one just throws you into the fray, with not even so much as a "watch out". The most immersion you'll get, is from deciding what challenge rating you want from "knee deep in zombies" to "I'm already dead".

DEPTH: 2.
The game does have some depth. But not nearly enough. With such terrible graphics, it's more trouble then it's worth trying to find all the little easter eggs, power ups, and more enemies to kill to raise your rank. High score would mean something if it were less of a chore to tell an actual door, from a blotch on the wall because the designers were just procrastinating, or wanted you to "THINK" that was a door! Many of times items become redundant anyway. My armor's maxed out, I've got enough ammo, I got some overheal going as far as HP... what else is there? Besides the key cards I "NEED" to continue, and the medikits I can't carry, just make a mental note of where they are should I so need them... there's really no reason for the assortment of items. If there had been more weapons, perhaps upgrade capabilities, etc. This could have been a much more in depth game. Now mind you, I know that's asking a lot out of an early 90s computer game... but it is possible.

At the very least they could have incorporated an inventory system for all your medkits, armor, and bonus HP. That way you have a reason to look, get rewarded for looking, and then can call upon it when you need it.

DIFFICULTY: 2.
The game is not hard at all. To be fair I was playing super easy. I would get infuriated if I had to play a challenging game with limitless demon armies coming at me with junk controls, stingy items, and an unforgiving environment that is "three dimensional" in name only!

The fact is... everything that makes Doom hard, is entirely because of bad design. Not the game itself. Imps coming at you with fireballs? Learn to skirmish, keep moving, hide, shoot from behind. Get tactical! But you cannot out maneuver bad graphics that make depth perception impossible, where aiming is a joke, and sometimes there's seemingly no way out of an acid pit. I actually enjoy the pools of acid that seem to hold up the entire building I am in. That acid stuff spews everywhere, and gives me minor wounds when I stand in it. Avoid it, or rush through it possibly to take a short cut. What I don't like is what might seemingly be a secret passage way, and there's nothing waiting for you but a slow death in a sink hole. I mean why even put it there at all? It can't even be said that it's just some outlandish attempt to illustrate the grim dark feel, and to "watch your step". As it's not an instant death, filled with screaming and forewarning. Such an agonizing wait for your health to run out. It's completely avoidable, but why have it?


OVERALL: 4.6.
Is it the worst game I've ever played? Not at all, which is probably the worst part. I've seen some pretty bad games... this doesn't even come close. But it definitely did not live up to it's hype, hasn't aged well at all, and quite frankly should have been forgotten among the tomes of our growing gaming libraries. I am sure many first-person shooters came out during this time that would've blown this trash out of the water. This is barely worth being an app game on your cellphone.

But in fact... that's probably where it best belongs. If you got an hour to kill. Maybe you're waiting inline, you're on break, you can't think of anything remotely more constructive or stimulating to do... you could click some keystrokes, and play some Doom. But that's about the extent of it's worth. 

This game shouldn't have left the SNES imo. It wasn't meant to be played in other game consoles. All of the other versions of the game either were disappointing or they just sucked. This one pretty much disappointed me. Not that good.

Nice review btw. Good job.

I have played Doom 3, and although the graphics on that game were pretty darn good, the story line was just like any other "hell takes over the world" or zombie game. Seeing this review, it does not make we want to play this game. Thank you for the review dude; you just saved me from wasting about 12 hours of my life.

Doom was  meant to be for all consoles handhelds or platforms you may call it . Doom was one of the earliest shooters around  and the gba is nt really meant to be like other Gen systems . Anyways I will rate this review soon . You cant really expect perfection on the first try  if course it wont live up to expectations

I was actually told that this games story is that he kills all of the aliens because they killed his rabbit. And I grew up watching my dad play this game ALL the time, not on the GBA, but on the computer. Nice review by the way, I don't know why they ever put FPS's on the GBA since it only has a D-Pad.

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Closed due to the horrible bump.