Review: Doom 64
At a Glance
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How to Save and Pause:The original version of this game used passwords to save your progress, and you still have the option to use them (password entry is found in the Options menu). However, you can now use save slots like any other Doom game, and you can save whenever you want. To pause the action, press ESC to bring up the in-game menu. Time needed per session:Many of the levels can be completed fairly quickly, so plan on playing for at least ten to fifteen minutes at a time. That said, you might want to set aside even more time if youre planning on being thorough or hunting for the games many secrets.
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Does this game pose issues for Christian players?
 | Yes This is a pretty graphic game, and like the others in this series, youre fighting against literal demons in an attempt to stop their invasion. Additionally, the forces of Hell created a new evil weapon for this invasion, and the player can use it against them. |
Screenshots
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/doom_64_0.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/doom_64_1.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/doom_64_2.jpg)
Game Overview
Doom has historically been a popular game to port to new systems, and it did see some official releases to home consoles during the 1990s. Like most ports, these attempted to be faithful to the DOS version, even if the hardware wasnt quite up to the challenge. Yet, when a Doom game was made for the Nintendo 64, id Software decided to create an entirely new game in the Doom universe. In other words, Doom 64 is effectively an honorary Doom 3, even though later games would pretend it never existed.
Taking place years after the events of Doom 2, the Marine is sent back to Phobos to deal with a new threat. Satellite images show that the demonic horde has started to regroup, with something patching together the dead to create new, undead demons. As the sole survivor of the original disaster, youre tasked with stopping a Hellish invasion once again.
This change to the setting affects the game in several ways. In particular, the monsters have been given a redesign, often making them look like rotten or unstable versions of the monsters were used to seeing. Some of the famous enemy types, such as the Revenant or the Spider Mastermind, are completely absent, suggesting that there wasnt enough material to patch them back together (the actual reason theyre missing is because Nintendo 64 cartridges didnt have enough space to include them, but that explanation isnt as much fun).
Many of these redesigned monsters also received some gameplay tweaks. This is especially noticeable with the Lost Souls, as they are a real force to be reckoned with. If you dont see them sneaking up on you, theres a chance that theyll seriously damage you before you can react, and since they often come in swarms, you might find yourself gobbled up quickly. Worse, Pain Elementals now launch two of these frights at a time!
Theres more going on than just the occasional tweak or redesign. Several things have been added, such as a new level scripting system, the Nightmare Imp, and the Unmaker. Similar to Heretic and the other games in its series, Doom 64s levels can rearrange themselves as needed. This is frequently used to dramatically open up new pathways, which is pretty cool to watch. The new system is also capable of creating puzzles with randomized solutions - something that was definitely needed in games like this!
As for the Nightmare Imp, its just an upgraded version of the classic Imp. Theyre faster, throw plasma instead of fireballs, and are somewhat transparent. Its an interesting twist, but its not as big a deal as the Unmaker, which is an important new weapon. This unholy firearm was created by the demons and intended to be used by them as part of their invasion, but once the player gets ahold of it, they can repurpose it as another tool for fighting the forces of Hell. Also, the Unmaker can be upgraded using three very well hidden hellish artifacts, and at full power, will decimate anything youll come across, including the final boss. Its so incredibly powerful that it makes the BFG looks like a wooden stick by comparison.
Unfortunately, there is a downside to this otherwise great game: it feels very slow compared to other first person shooters from the era. At times, its almost like youre swimming through something rather than walking. This can be a problem, as some of the puzzles require the player to run from place to place, and it doesnt feel like running actually makes you move any faster.
Despite this issue, Id strongly suggest taking a look at this game, especially if youre already a fan of classic FPS games or the Doom series.
Taking place years after the events of Doom 2, the Marine is sent back to Phobos to deal with a new threat. Satellite images show that the demonic horde has started to regroup, with something patching together the dead to create new, undead demons. As the sole survivor of the original disaster, youre tasked with stopping a Hellish invasion once again.
This change to the setting affects the game in several ways. In particular, the monsters have been given a redesign, often making them look like rotten or unstable versions of the monsters were used to seeing. Some of the famous enemy types, such as the Revenant or the Spider Mastermind, are completely absent, suggesting that there wasnt enough material to patch them back together (the actual reason theyre missing is because Nintendo 64 cartridges didnt have enough space to include them, but that explanation isnt as much fun).
Many of these redesigned monsters also received some gameplay tweaks. This is especially noticeable with the Lost Souls, as they are a real force to be reckoned with. If you dont see them sneaking up on you, theres a chance that theyll seriously damage you before you can react, and since they often come in swarms, you might find yourself gobbled up quickly. Worse, Pain Elementals now launch two of these frights at a time!
Theres more going on than just the occasional tweak or redesign. Several things have been added, such as a new level scripting system, the Nightmare Imp, and the Unmaker. Similar to Heretic and the other games in its series, Doom 64s levels can rearrange themselves as needed. This is frequently used to dramatically open up new pathways, which is pretty cool to watch. The new system is also capable of creating puzzles with randomized solutions - something that was definitely needed in games like this!
As for the Nightmare Imp, its just an upgraded version of the classic Imp. Theyre faster, throw plasma instead of fireballs, and are somewhat transparent. Its an interesting twist, but its not as big a deal as the Unmaker, which is an important new weapon. This unholy firearm was created by the demons and intended to be used by them as part of their invasion, but once the player gets ahold of it, they can repurpose it as another tool for fighting the forces of Hell. Also, the Unmaker can be upgraded using three very well hidden hellish artifacts, and at full power, will decimate anything youll come across, including the final boss. Its so incredibly powerful that it makes the BFG looks like a wooden stick by comparison.
Unfortunately, there is a downside to this otherwise great game: it feels very slow compared to other first person shooters from the era. At times, its almost like youre swimming through something rather than walking. This can be a problem, as some of the puzzles require the player to run from place to place, and it doesnt feel like running actually makes you move any faster.
Despite this issue, Id strongly suggest taking a look at this game, especially if youre already a fan of classic FPS games or the Doom series.
Points of Interest
Bonus levels
This rerelease of Doom 64 also comes with an additional six level campaign called the Lost Levels. Aside from providing some extra content, the levels in this set strongly resemble famous levels from other Doom titles. For example, the level Evil Sacrifice bears a noticeable resemblance to Evilutions stage titled Human BBQ.
Lots of fun secrets
There are a number of secret levels for the player to find during normal gameplay, some of which contain the equally well hidden Demon Keys that youll need to upgrade the Unmaker. Probably the most important of these levels is the one known as Hectic, which can unlock a secret hidden Features menu in the games options. This menu not only allows you to toggle special abilities like jumping, its also the primary way of accessing the Fun levels, which arent otherwise accessible.
Steam community features
Players can earn ten unique achievements as they hunt down hellspawn. Many of these involve doing something specific for the first time, such as finding the Unmaker, locating a secret area, or killing a Cyberdemon. However, you probably wont earn them all that easily, as some achievements depend on you figuring out some very obscure tricks.
Slightly buggy
Unfortunately, theres a chance that this game will crash when you try to start it. Different solutions have been suggested, but what worked best for me was to disable the Steam overlay and Steams cloud saving features. The good news is that if you can see the Bethesda logo, youre already beyond the point where the crash occurs, and can go play with too much trouble.
Concerns and Issues
Strongly flickering lights
When you start this game, youre going to see a photosensitivity warning in six different languages, and its there for good reason. There are several levels where the flickering lighting is especially bad, bordering on painful to look at. Thankfully, you dont need to stay in these areas long, but its definitely annoying and hard on the eyes.
Mild swearing
Whenever you collect something, a brief message about it will appear at the top of the screen. This is generally ignorable, but theres censored swearing when you first collect the Unmaker.
Lots of gore
Mangled bodies and unidentifiable red organic chunks are used to decorate many levels, sometimes to an extreme. Since the Nintendo 64 had better graphics capabilities than early DOS systems, the gore is also depicted in more detail than ever before.
Additionally, its worth remembering that many of the monsters are undead demons, so they were stitched together and rotting before the battle even started.
Additionally, its worth remembering that many of the monsters are undead demons, so they were stitched together and rotting before the battle even started.