Doom 3: BFG Edition | Cheerful Ghost

Looking At Doom 3: BFG Edition

Azurephile gives this a solid "Rad" on the Ghost Scale

This is fun, with very few issues, and is well worth your time.

Azurephile gives this a "Rad" on the Ghost Scale

This is fun, with very few issues, and is well worth your time.

After playing Doom 64 recently, I got Doom 3 BFG Edition on Steam. It was certainly different. The best description I’ve found is put simply in the embedded video as the original Doom games were action games, while Doom 3 is a "realistic" horror game. This made the game unappealing to me at first and is a bit still, but I see other parts of the game that make me think it’s not bad. I’m not a fan of horror games, but I’ve played a few Resident Evil games. It’s just not the kind of game I’m into.

Instead of running around killing already spawned in demons in a mostly open area like the original, Doom 3 leads you through a mostly linear path down corridors. Although all... Read All After playing Doom 64 recently, I got Doom 3 BFG Edition on Steam. It was certainly different. The best description I’ve found is put simply in the embedded video as the original Doom games were action games, while Doom 3 is a "realistic" horror game. This made the game unappealing to me at first and is a bit still, but I see other parts of the game that make me think it’s not bad. I’m not a fan of horror games, but I’ve played a few Resident Evil games. It’s just not the kind of game I’m into.

Instead of running around killing already spawned in demons in a mostly open area like the original, Doom 3 leads you through a mostly linear path down corridors. Although all Doom games can have you running in circles, confused about what you’ve missed, where you’re supposed to go, but there’s plenty of info on the web to help you find your way around when you get stuck. You’ll need to find PDAs to get security clearance to access some places. They may also contain some of the game’s lore, but not forcing you to listen to recorded audio. You’ll also collect some inventory items along the way, which are important for the task at hand. For instance, sometimes you’ll have to remove a power cell from one generator and place it in another.

There are some scary lighting effects going on, there is a lot of darkness, flashing lights, and you can’t always walk with your flashlight on, sometimes it has to charge. It can be hard to see enemies at times, but it’s best to look all around as much as possible. Usually monsters will spawn in with a noticeable sound and flash in an area. There are also plenty of “jump scares” and pieces of the environment falling out of place at times to scar you, too. It is a bit of a thrilling experience.

The demons all look different than we’re used to seeing them in the Doom series, you should take a look at them, if you’re a fan. Their design is definitely close to “realistic” horror. Some are difficult to recognize, while others are easily recognizable. Perhaps the scariest of them are the bosses, which can be “bullet sponges.” Some take strategy to defeat, while some just take enough fire power.

Console issue: I like cheating in these kinds of games (Doom in particular), it makes it more fun for me. I thought that I might turn on cheats eventually, but that moment never came. As soon as I started a new game, the game told me achievements were disabled because the console was being used. After some troubleshooting this seems to be an issue in the game and there’s a simple remedy for it. You just need to add “seta com_allowconsole 0“ (without quotes) to the “default.cfg” file that’s in the folder at “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\DOOM 3 BFG Edition\base\” as noted by “IcyDeadPeople” here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/208200/discussions/0/828925849197513340. This resolved the issue for me, although it may have allowed me to get achievements even if I used console commands, but I never reached the point of deciding to cheat, so I never looked into those commands.

Technically, the game runs extremely well. Granted this could be expected with modern hardware and the game’s age, but I still can’t help but be impressed just how little time it takes to load. This version of the game also comes with the original Doom and Doom 2, however they’re a bit functionally different than the recent Doom Classic Complete Collection I recently wrote about here: https://cheerfulghost.com/GregoPeck/posts/4401/getting-the-doom-complete-collection-to-run-on-windows-10 That is because that version wouldn’t run on it’s own. Instead, I had to copy the .WAD files to a source port and play it that way, however that’s not necessary with the versions in this edition. These work well with no extra configuration needed. I find this impressive, but also confusing as to why the two versions don’t just simply work in the same way. Since this version of those games lets them run just fine, you can work on getting their achievements, too.

I should also note there is a source port for this, which seems to work more for Doom and Doom 2, although it does come with some extra features for Doom 3. It's called Doom 3: BFA Edition. I started out with this version, but it didn't really connect to Steam and I didn't find it necessary. In fact, I enjoyed the game(s) just fine without it.

It’s kind of hard to say whether I recommend this or not. If you’re into horror games and Doom, then you’ll probably be into this. It does have a “very positive” score on Steam. Personally, I think I like the action kind of Doom game better, like Doom (2016). If you’re a Doom fan, you should at least take a look at some video of it. I’ve embedded a video that talks about why it is a good game.

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/02/2020 at 09:21pm

Doom 3 BFG Edition is an interesting port. I'd say in some ways it goes back on the original horror design that made the original so special creating a somewhat confused game, sort of.

For instance, in the original game you had to pick whether you had a flashlight in your hand to see in very dark areas or a gun. That made the horror hype WAY more felt and real. I remember playing this game with the lights off and it was, and is a great experience. Doom 3 BFG Edition allows you do tape a light on your gun and also makes the game WAY less dark which kind of makes it ... i'd say a confused sort of game. It's sort of horror, but not really and it takes away some of the choice elements that made the first edition special.

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 05/02/2020 at 09:53pm

Yeah, I read about that. I think I like that the flashlight can work with weapons in BFG Edition. I'm not sure if I'd like it in the original, though it would have made the game a bit more scary, sure. What's sad is that now that I've played it, I'm going back to playing Doom (2016) and wishing I had that flashlight. Even replaying original Doom and Doom 2 I would sometimes hit "F" to turn on my flashlight, although I didn't have one of course.

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/05/2020 at 03:40am

🤩

I think that Doom 3 did a lot right and also went for something unique. The series in in different territory now and most people seem to like that a lot, which I appreciate, but I really enjoy Doom 3 even though you can't right click to aim (prob my biggest issue with it if I have one).

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 05/05/2020 at 04:20am

That's a surprise. I feel a bit neutral about it. At first it was mostly negative and I wasn't even sure that I really wanted to complete it, but I did and it's not a horrible game, but it's not a favorite. Doom 64 impressed me much more, actually. Those were the only two Doom games I've never played that I played recently. Seeing that we seem to lack a review for DOOM (2016), I might write one up as I finished completing it only for the second time, though I loved it.

jdodson Admin wrote on 05/10/2020 at 04:01pm

At the time Doom 3 was an incredible visual feat that stood out in a very sparse PC game landscape. Not like now where it's a VERY crowded shooter market and Doom 2016 hit and makes it look somewhat pale in comparison.

If you want to join this conversation you need to sign in.

Fabien Sanglard Reviews the Doom 3: BFG Code

iD Software is really forward thinking tech company in that it releases the source code for its older game engines and level tools. Don't take my word for it, check out the code they have released on github.

https://github.com/id-Software

This kind of thing should be applauded because when game companies release the source to their games it means that the odds you will be able to play the games you love in the future is pretty good. Plus its awesome to play a game you love on any platform you want. Its also a great way to learn how a top notch game engine operates.

Intro Fabien Sandlard a guy with an awesome hobby, he looks at released game source and blogs about it.... Read All