Doom 3 Review

Co-Op and Multiplayer

In addition to the single player campaign, Doom 3 also has co-op and multiplayer deathmatch modes. These modes are only available for system link or Xbox Live play, however, so don’t buy Doom 3 expecting splitscreen multiplayer because it ain’t gonna happen. The co-op mode is similar to the single player game but there are more enemies and more ammo spread around to accommodate two players running around. Co-op always makes games better and being able to play Doom 3 with friends (or strangers on Xbox Live) is a fun experience. It is fairly short compared to the solo game and it is disappointingly easy, but it is still really fun to journey to hell and back with a friend.

The deathmatch modes aren’t quite as good as the solo and co-op modes, but it is better than nothing. The game only has a handful of maps and you can only play with four players so your options are pretty limited. Without the creepy and scary stuff that makes the campaign so interesting, Doom 3’s multiplayer is rather bland.

Graphics and Sound

If you have followed Doom 3’s development over the years, you should already know that the graphics are absolutely outstanding. The environments are filled with details and objects are textured in such a way that they are startlingly realistic looking. All of the monsters are very detailed and well designed and above all look pretty darn scary. For even cleaner and better looking graphics, play it in 480p mode if you can because the results are worth it.

The sound is also incredibly well done in Doom 3. There isn’t really any music to speak of, but the ambient sounds of the environment more than make up for it. There is a constant hum of machinery and you also hear the pipes and equipment around you clicking and whirring and creaking and settling. Demons each have their own scary grunts and groans and moans and you can tell what monsters are in the room with you just by what they sound like. There are also a lot of demonic chants and whispers and other things in the audio to scare you and it all sounds great.

Bottom Line

Doom 3 is finally on the Xbox and I can happily say that it has been worth the wait. It isn’t the best first-person-shooter you’ll find on the Xbox, but it has a creepy and disturbing atmosphere that keeps you hooked even when you are growing weary of the repetitive fetch quests and level design. Blasting demons and chopping up zombies with a chainsaw is an absolute blast. Doom 3 is a fun game that any action game fan can enjoy, but if you are a horror or zombie movie fan you’ll enjoy it even more. With a long single player campaign along with co-op and multiplayer deathmatch modes, there is a lot to see and do in Doom 3 so I think it is worth a purchase.

Parents: Please also note that Doom 3 is rated “M” for Mature and earns that rating with extreme violence and blood and gore. It is a scary and oftentimes disturbing game that is not suitable for children.