Doom 3 brings the Doom series into the 21st century with tremendous success.

User Rating: 9 | DOOM 3 XBOX
Prior to playing Doom 3, I was a bit skeptical because the game looked so different compared to any previous entries in the series. The graphics were sleek and modern, the story was an integral part of the game, and the gameplay seemed to resemble most modern shooters rather than keeping the spirit of old school FPS titles alive. Although I wasn't looking for id Software to release the same game over and over again, did the world really need any more Halo clones as of 2005? The answer is probably no, but as it turns out, Doom 3 is anything but that. Sure, the game does look absolutely marvelous for an original Xbox game (this could even pass as an early 360 title), but top-notch production values aside, Doom 3 strikes a perfect balance between retro-FPS games and a more modern approach.

Doom 3 feels a bit like a precursor to horror-shooters like F.E.A.R. and Dead Space, with its tight gameplay mechanics and bone-chilling atmospheres often taking the forefront of the single-player mode. This is a creepy playthrough that often borders on feeling like a horror game - at its heart, the run-and-gun style of earlier Doom titles is still present, but the combat is often less frantic in favor of building up an impressive atmosphere. Although the game is much more linear and straightforward than earlier Doom games, a satisfying feeling of exploration is still present, and the end result is a game that is as rewarding as it is intense and fun.

Doom 3 is just an exceptionally well-made game all around. The graphics are excellent, the controls are tight, the sound is great, the campaign is engaging, and the atmosphere is as tense as it gets. This is an essential purchase for all FPS enthusiasts, and while I don't think any FPS games will ever top the first two Dooms, this game certainly lives up to the legacy of its older siblings. And, if you buy the Collector's Edition like I did, you'll get both of the original games as an added bonus. This is a highly recommended masterpiece from this reviewer.