Duke Nukem Forever

Being a big Duke Nukem fan while growing up, I have to say this was a big letdown for me. And I'm far from the only one. While I don't consider it terrible, it isn't good either.

Twelve years after Duke Nukem 3D, our cool, wise-cracking, and hypermasculine, womanizing hero is living like a king in Las Vegas. Then, unsurprisingly, the alien scum return and it's up to Duke to once again kick ass and save the world.

Thanks to a very troubled development, the graphics and animation were outdated and looked average at best for the time. All the levels looked plain and barren, and there's inadequate lighting everywhere. Some of the enemy models were decent, but the NPC models were as unimpressive as the graphics, looking more like lifeless animatronics. The performance was sluggish, the loading screens were irritatingly long, and the multiplayer was chock full of bugs and lagging that made it nigh unplayable.

For the most part, the gameplay was routine and predictable, mostly involving running around, killing aliens, rescuing civilians, spouting one-liners, etc. Sure, it's par the course, but nothing new innovative for Duke Nukem or any other game for that matter. At least the armament was extensive and included classic weapons like Dukes trademark gold-plated handgun, pipe bombs, a freeze ray, and others. You'll fight classic enemies, like Pig Cops and Octobrains, bringing a bit of nostalgia to the game. And finally, Jon St. John is as entertaining as ever voicing the titular hero, so there's at least a few highlights.

Clearly the developers were trying to ride on Halo's coattails by copying its formula; like giving Duke access to vehicles, having regenerating health called EGO, and being able to only wield two weapons at a time, but this just made the game feel warped and jarring. Plus, there were annoying and difficult minigames that felt completely out of place. If they included more traditional Duke Nukem features, like exploring and discovering secret areas and captured babes, or including more gadgets in single player, like Duke's night vision goggles or his ever-trusty jet pack. This could have been better.

There's unwanted gross out humor everywhere, like pissing, belching, and throwing crap. Ugh! Seriously? This could have been better if the developers tried to keep up with the times but instead stuck with outdated and immature humor involving innuendo, swearing, and rampant chauvinism that really made Duke look like a sad, washed-up has-been who should have retired years ago. Yes, I know that's his character, but it just didn't belong in the 21st century, and it was so overdone, it made you cringe.

In the end, this game was mediocre at best and would only be enjoyed by die-hard Duke Nukem fans or bored gamers stuck at home on a rainy day. Still, it probably would have been best if it stayed in development hell instead of becoming one of the biggest let-downs in video game history.

I don't even know who Duke Nukem really is back then as a kid but I saw this game from an old magazine that I read. Once I bought this game I decide to try it out.

To be honest I really absolutely fun on playing this game. As usual I did alot of the shooting and I get to trigger short kill animations. It's pretty fun to do about the many ways to kill. But the story in this game is absolutely absurd. I thought the Saints Row or Postal has weird over-the-top stories, but I didn't expect this game to be that much. And I did not expect to have nudity appear out of nowhere. Plus one thing that frustrated me is the animation which one evidence is the drawing scene for a plan and signing autographs.

Duke Nukem Forever did not make me hail to king for him and Duke may act like a rude guy for no reason but this game is still fun to play.

I really, really thought... here it is, a FPS Duke Nukem with new 2010 graphics, I thought, let's take a look at it, why not. And I was disappointed. By much of it. Graphics were good, but not that great, some of the ideas where Duke can interact with other objects like in mini-games to upgrade your health... actually, your ego. So, instead to look for medkits around you look for some "manly" stuff to boost Duke's ego... kinda ideal. But still, the old look for medkit idea was better. Other ideas were taken from the 1996 game and just enhance it. The new thing is that Duke can drive a car. Why? and he can carry only two weapons. Why? Why driving and carrying two weapons. I think that they were trying to imitate Halo. The game that also move standards. Why do I feel that they spiced it up with the reality in a way? The game play could be much more better. Duke could be more agile, but here, he is just clumsy, he is stiff as a board, you can barely move! You really get your butt kicked on multiple occasions and when your, here I dare say it "ego" is low, you don't have a medpack and you can't move. You are really easy target, and you are pretty easy to kill, or to get hit, no matter the difficulty. I heard that PC version is better than XBOX or Playstation... I played it on PC, and I gotta tell you... It's not that much of fun. This game repels you. It really does. You are just not that happy to go back to it. Jon St. John is still here as Duke, well they kept that element right and he did a good job as always. Duke is a real badass. But, the humor is basically old and not that rich, also, the Duke's character is also pretty dry and outdated. Duke is pretty much... an a-hole. He is one big egoistical jerk and you just don't feel connected to him. He is loved by all people and they are all in shock and awe when they see him. OK, it's not supposed to be taken serious, but they could have make him more richer and more developed character. In the 1996 game, it was simple, and it was obvious, and it was cool in controversial way. Wall boobs? What a hell? Your opponents returns as enhanced, more powerful than ever, I don't recall seeing any new one... maybe a few. And also what I find irritating... is politics. President is more often here than before. That was not necessary. Game levels looks pretty cool, weapon design is also good, the idea that Duke can go around do some macho stuff as taking leak, playing pool, basketball, pinball and other "manly" activities. It has some good fun, but still, it's not that playable, if you ask me...

Its true, Duke Nuke is back in this computer game on the Xbox 360.

So this game is quite a long playthrough and I suppose that is a good thing because people complained about a game such as Splinter Cell: Conviction as being too short.

This game is R18 because partly it has some of the most profound nudity I have seen in a computer game ever but that is just Duke Nukem for you. Duke Nukem is a real American badass and that is how you explain it.

One gripe is that there are so many boss levels in this game it can become quite frustrating because after so long such as an all nighter you just want the game to finally end and give you achievement points. But on the plus side, a lot of them are reasonably easy to defeat if you know how. I completed the game on hard but it really isn't all that hard so I recommend that is what you should do to get those points.

So add another to your collection. Considering this was developed in 2011 it will be cheap as chips by now. You will probably have to buy online because a place such as EB Games only have so many titles and they can double up.

Good luck.

I have remarked that critics have been quite negative towards this game because it is bound to be compared to recent 2011 shooting games which is a shame as it has been suggested it would've been appreciated more if it was released sooner . Needless to say that doesn't take away from the fact that the game can still prove to be enjoyable.Due to the timing of the game's release; critics cannot really help you to decide whether or not to buy it as only your own opinion can help you here as the bulk of the reviews more less compare it to more up to date games which really isn't very helpful when picking a game to be honest. Aren't people forgetting that this would've been out a few years back were it not for the issues 3D realms ran into? I cannot deny that it seems dated compared to recent games but I don't care; graphics are not everything besides what were people expecting when Gearbox was polishing up what 3D realms started; it's not like they were going to start from scratch again? This game is not unlike shooters of the late 1990s and early 2000s; some people will find favour with this while others won't.

If you enjoy Duke's style in humour then the humour in this certainly will not disappoint you as it's very much like Duke Nukem 3D's ; but obviously it's not for everyone. Honestly I don't really understand why some critics call Duke's humour unfunny but yet praise humour in games that is mediocre at best. As for critics that question Dukes character; I really hope they are joking. I can accept various opinions on Duke Nukem Games but to question the protagonist that makes the franchise so unique and enjoyable definitely raises questions as Duke Nukem is a gaming icon that still has an appeal;even today and is a nice change from the typical serious heroes you see in a lot of recent games.

Oh and don't worry about all the controversy this game has sparked off for all it's mature content; we all knew it was bound to do that if it was going to be a follow up to Duke Nukem 3D which was also quite controversial at the time. If the game was watered down to appease some critics; it just wouldn't be a Duke Nukem game would it?

The game is not without it's flaws but it has interesting elements and very interactive environments. The enemies and bosses are pretty cool and challenging.The only things I don't really like about this game is the linearity in levels, a checkpoint system, only carrying two weapons, strength tests and the new Health system. This game will not have the replay value of Duke Nukem 3D but really what game does these days? Aren't all shooting games nowadays pretty much linear? It's a trend this game regretfully followed but luckily it has things that make it worth checking out.

Now that Gearbox owns the rights to Duke Nukem; I imagine things will go a lot smoother in later games as 3D realms was biting of more than they could chew trying to keep up with the times as they just didn't have the numbers or resources to pull it off while Gearbox is a much bigger company which has been something the Duke franchise has been in need of. It's a safe bet Duke will have more adventures to come; always bet on Duke ;)