Make no mistake: Catacomb 3-D is an important game in the early history of FPS (though I'd contend not quite as important as Hovertank 3D; id Software's true first foray into first-person shooting). Sadly, it's one of many older games that simply doesn't hold up, offering an experience too simplistic [for most] by today's standard. Not only that, but its general clunkiness and quick descent into repetition make it a difficult game to commit to completing, even for the most eager of gaming historians. The contained "sequels" (Abyss, Armageddon, and Apocalypse) do little-to-nothing to expand on the core gameplay, and serve mostly as cosmetic improvements with more varied environments and enemies. Apocalypse does add a hub world element to the game, but it's a largely inconsequential change in all honesty. What I find most fascinating about this collection is the inclusion of the "Gamer's Edge Sampler disk," containing the original Catacomb game -- a shameless Gauntlet clone complete with top-down perspective. Also included on this disk would be a copy of John Romero's Dangerous Dave (an old-school DOS platformer which also fails the test of time), also present as part of this collection as a sort of added "bonus." I have to admit, the most entertaining part of this collection to me was reading through the sales pitch for Gamer's Edge subscription service, and reminding myself of the humble beginnings of the men who would eventually form id Software. Personally, I actually prefer the original Catacomb (and it's sequel The Catacomb) to the first-person "3-D" series. And that's coming from someone who has called FPS his favorite genre since the original release of Doom! I feel obligated to evaluate this collection honestly, and to warn that much of it simply doesn't hold up anymore for those looking for a "classic FPS" to enjoy. Purchase only if you're on a ques to "experience gaming history," or if nostalgia takes over you.
