Doom 3 Review

First, Doom 3's fps aspect is not deep. It largely relies on a simple point-and-shoot mechanism. However, this works very well for the game, as the real star of the show is the the horror element. There are some unfortunate decisions that id made in trying to scare you, namely that many scares involve enemies popping up behind you. However, the other scares are very well done. Quite often, you'll see that you're about to enter a room. Inside there's a dead body on a table, blood on the walls, the lights are flickering and you can hear something inside. Quite often, you're first thought is one of incredulity in having to enter the room in order to continue the game. And then you realize that it's just a game and walk in anyway, albeit, cautiously.

Actually, much of the overrun research facility that the game is almost entirely set in is in a very similar state. You'll rarely come across another human in the game. Although, you will find little sentry bots that are probably a good idea to follow, as they pack quite a bit of firepower. The catch is that they'll run anywhere to get to their destination regardless of what they have to go through. This makes for some extremely intense fight-outs, as you're dragged somewhat unwillingly into areas that are filled with enemies.

Throughout the base, there are also little video discs and PDA's that you'll find. As soon as you pick one up, the information is downloaded to your own PDA in the game, allowing you to watch, read or listen to any of the content that was on them. As you progress through the game, you'll come across many such PDA's, giving you glimpses of other people's lives on the base and an eerie overview of the state of affairs at the research facility leading up to the invasion. These moments of calm give your mind and senses some much needed rest from the constant state of edge that the game keeps you in.

Overall, Doom 3 is a well-made game. Although it's shooter aspect isn't particularly deep, the overall atmosphere and experience of the game is what will keep one interested and is what the game will be remembered for.

8.5/10
-A game where telling someone to go to hell means a lot more than in real life.

Half-Life 2 Episode One Review

After purchasing and installing the Half-Life 2 Holiday 2006 pack I bought at EBGames this week, I immediately played through and beat Half-Life 2 the same day (the first time I've ever beat an entire FPS in a day :p ). However, that was just to get me back up to speed on City 17 and the Combine. The next day, I began playing Half-Life 2 Episode One, the official first episodic expansion to the game. Because Valve decided to go the episodic route, there is considerably less gameplay in Episode One then there is in Half-Life 2, but in the end, it comes out feeling tighter, more refined and way more fun. All in all, Episode One is the single best gameplay experience I've ever come across, regardless of genre or platform.

For each episode, Valve has decided to focus on a gameplay aspect in order to improve on it as much as possible. For Episode One, that was NPC AI and interaction. As their test subject, they decided to use Alyx, your sidekick. Consequently, you spend most of the game with her, fighting by her side. I think that in any other game, this level of NPC teamwork would drive players insane, but because of the dramatic improvements to the AI, it feels very natural. Alyx doesn't get in the way, she isn't obtrusive and she speaks and acts much like a normal person. There are some places where working with her is a great experience, like when you're in an underground tunnel, with the lights out. Alyx can't shoot at any of the enemies unless you shine your flashlight on them. There's another scene where she mans a sniper rifle, helping you out with a good number of zombies. All of this results in a codependence with Alyx that other games (including Half-Life 2) don't achieve particularly well.

10/10
-Like, fuck. This game is fucking good!

A.V. Club review of Half-Life 2: Episode One