Keycard..i don't need no f*%$£!g keycard!
The soundtrack is well produced, with variations on the classic title music. However, the voice-work really stands out. Jon St John gives the performance of a lifetime as Duke Nukem, his outrageous comments really bring the crass character to life. Quotes like "I'll make the hall of fame yet" and "It's time for some roid rage" are expertly delivered, rarely repeated and always relevant to the action on-screen.
Set pieces are nicely executed, but nothing on the scale of modern shooters. Environmental puzzles are a large focus, like destroying a building to create a route with a wrecking ball. There are some nice physics based puzzles, like redistributing weight. It highlights the fact this is rarely done nowadays, and makes level designs outstanding and very memorable. Duke has borrowed from the last decade instead of remaining defiantly old school. Recharging health is in, and he can only carry 2 weapons at a time. The latter is an awkward fit, as the franchise perfectly suits the ability to get tooled up, and carry every weapon at once. There are no iron sights, although a zoom function works well.
All the classic weapons make a return, but there appears to be no new additions. The Shrink Ray, RPG, Devastator and Ripper are all immediately recognisable, along with Dukes signature Gold Desert Eagle. Pipe bombs and Laser Trip Mines are well designed and effective gameplay mechanics. It was disappointing that Jetpack use is limited to an interactive cut-scene during single player. And the 'unprecedented interactivity' that was once the series selling point has been reduced to 'ego' items. Interacting with these specific objects increases Duke's ego, or total health.
Levels are split into sections that can be replayed, but the entire experience is continuous. Each level begins where the last ended, which may sound like a small feature, but really adds to the immersion. The variety is staggering, and the pacing is well maintained throughout. Just as things start to get repetitive, a new element keeps things fresh. A pinball machine, air hockey, slot machines, weightlifting and a whack attack mini game are fantastic diversions. The multiplayer is also great fun. The classic Duke Match returns, along with a hilarious bottom slapping variation on capture the flag. Hopefully this will gain a solid online following.
Completing the game unlocks an archive of information, chronicling the most notorious saga in video game history. A development timeline spans 15 years, and gameplay videos and trailers can be viewed from 1998 to the present day, showing the game in various forms and hinting at some intriguing elements that were cut, like a female sidekick and the return of Dr Proton.
Those who aren't old enough to remember Duke Nukem will probably hate Forever, gamers who think graphics are everything certainly will. But for someone who loved Duke Nukem 3D back in the day, and have their expectations in check, this is everything it was meant to be. The finished product is in remarkably good shape, and it's the most fun I've had playing a FPS in a very long time. 14 years to be exact.