Let's face it, this is the only port of Doom worth getting. Other versions were nothing more than watered down console ports that offered only a fraction of what the original PC version had. This was the only port that decided up the anty by actually adding something to the mix, namely by providing both Ultimate Doom and Doom II in a single package, plus a few new levels that brought the total to almost 60. Not to mention loads of lighting, and a superbly crafted soundtrack by Aubrey Hodges. Unfortunately, like other console versions, this one also had to for go a few things from the PC version. One of the things that is missing is the mother boss from the end of Doom II, which can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on whether you liked that level or not. Also gone from Doom II is the Arch-Vile. Outside of that, missing features mostly come in the form of missing levels from Ultimate Doom's 4th episode, Thy Flesh Consumed, and a few levels from the end of Doom II. Sad to see them go, yes, but luckily we do get a few new levels that are actually really well designed. As a matter of fact, three of the new levels, Twilight Descends, Threshold of Pain and The Mansion, are some of the best levels in the game. One of the first things you will notice upon playing PS Doom is the enhanced lighting that can be found throughout the levels. Now pits of lava, blood or acid will will give off an iridescent glow of their appropriate color; outside areas are so bright they have a truly hellishly hot look to them. As a matter of fact, some of the levels have all new backdrops, and one of them is a inferno of fire that really makes you feel like you've traveled into the very depths of hell. However, none of this can cover up the fact that this is a port of a PC game that came out 3 years prior to it's release. The graphics were definitely towards the lower end of the spectrum when compared to other high profile PS games at the time. It doesn't help matters much that the game gets mighty choppy in places, especially in level 25, Perfect Hatred. Another problem I had with the graphics was if you picked up a Berserk pack, the screen would turn such a bright red that it became rather hard to play the game without walking away with some mighty sore eyes. I never had this problem with the PC version. Definitely not a good thing. The sound, on the other hand, is nothing short of wonderful. Most of the sound effects were redone for this version, and they make the PC versions effects sound like static emitted from a transistor radio by comparison. What really sold this game for me, however, was the background music provided by Aubrey Hodges. It easily blows the PC versions cheesy midi tunes away. His ambient soundtrack is what really helped give the game a whole "creepy" feeling the PC version didn't have, and helped craft this version into having one of the most satisfying aural experiences I've ever had with a videogame. It really helped demonstrate how much of a role sound plays in what you're feeling as your playing a game. In my mind, Aubrey Hodges is right up there with Tim Wright and Stephen Root as of my most favorite videogame music artists ever. It's a sad shame that companies are so head over heels into overblown licensed soundtracks, that unique artists such as these get overlooked in today's gaming market. Yes, I realize this is a bit out of scope with this review, but it needs to be said. As far as the gameplay goes, well, it's Doom. You navigate the level looking for switches and keys, and shoot anything that moves. Pretty straightforward, and pretty damn fun if you ask me. Even after all these years, I still come back and play Doom every now in then; it's a great break from all the 'brainier' FPS's these days. Deathmatch and Cooperative modes are available, provided you have a link cable, two TV's, two Playstations and two copies of the game (phew). Control wise, they did about as good a job as you could converting the game from a keyboard+mouse combo to a joypad. Sure, it doesn't compete with the agility a keyboard+mouse combo provides, but it's more than adequate. Everything is easily accessible, and I never had any problems with it whatsoever. So if you're ever feeling in a dark mood and want to mop the floor with some classic demon butt, don't be afraid to give this version a shot. You should be able to find it dirt cheap on eBay these days. [review originally written by me on Jan 18th, 1996, for a long dead website. Edited and revised on Aug 26th, 2004 for Gamespot since I had nothing else to do with it :p]
The year was 1995 and the PlayStation had just come out and didn't have to many games at launch and Doom was one of the first games to be launched with the system and it was a success selling well over 1 million copies a... Read Full Review
Remember Doom? The game that systems struggled to play back in 1993. The Super Nintendo struggled to play it, the 32x had problems with it, and heck, even the Panasonic 3DO shrugged at playing the game at a decent qualit... Read Full Review
