I only ever got to play DOOM in the school library back in the nineties. Some kid installed it on the school network and only a few of us knew how to launch the game. We had to be sneaky to play, always watching over our shoulders for the librarian as much as we were for demons in-game. I never beat the game back then. I never had enough time in study hall. I was dirt poor and living on toasted white bread as a kid so I had no PC or even a console that could run the game. Here I am now, in 2021. I'm in my late thirties. I installed this and DOOM II just recently and it's like I'm right back in the school library, the springtime sun shining on my back through the window on a beautiful afternoon and I'm slaying demons left and right. If you haven't played this game, I recommend it. Get a source port like GZDOOM and have yourself a great time.
Obscenely difficult, and I'm someone that likes a challenge. The things you see in the trailers were carefully curated, as your average run is going to be severely lacking in comparison.
This game is beautifully animated, controls well, and has a fairly interesting story. It is lacking in level design, and that's really one of the most important features in a side-scrolling action-adventure game. It's the reason games like Metroid and Hollow Knight are so well-received. This game features procedurally generated level design. Levels follow the same basic layout from playthrough to playthrough, but the actual contents of rooms shift each time you die. The devs spin this as a feature but it really comes across more as a quick-fix answer to level design. Exploring the game doesn't yield the same rewarding experience as a game with set level design. That said, I do think this game is fun. The bosses are colossal and challenging. I played it through twice, there are multiple endings. I just could do without the random levels where the variety doesn't mean much. If you can look past this as well, you'll find a game that may be worth your time.
I own the Steam version of this game. If I could turn back time I would buy it from GOG. If you enjoy exploration, this game is a paradise. The game world is colossal, there are tons of enemies, bosses, and secrets to discover. Controls are tight and straight forward, making platforming around the world of Hallownest and fighting the hostile creatures it harbors a joy. Visuals are great, dank caverns and overgrown gardens come to life thanks not only to the artwork but the sound design that really develops the feeling of these areas. Leaves rustle gently as you walk through them, and water drops can be heard echoing throughout caverns. The game is worth every penny of its $15 price tag, and is a steal if it's on sale. I consider it a modern classic and highly recommend it.
