Review: Doom 3
This review represents another milestone in my backlog. Doom 3 is a game that I’ve wanted to play ever since it came out over twenty years ago. I was huge fan of the original two Doom games, but for one reason or another, when the third entry hit the scene, I just never managed to sit down with it. At long last, I can say that has changed.
Before I jump into my review, I want to take a moment to talk about the different versions of Doom 3. As someone who has never experienced the game, I found myself torn on which version to play. Purists will tell you that the original release (along with a handful of mods), is the only way to play this game. On the other hand, a lot people will swear that the “BFG Edition” is easily the definitive Doom 3 experience.
Well, I tried them both, and I think I have a solid answer.
From an ease-of-use and content standpoint, Doom 3 BFG Edition is the clear winner. It works right out of the box on modern PCs and it contains the original game and its two expansions. That being said, there are some changes made in the BFG Edition that modify the gameplay experience a little bit. To elaborate on that, I will need to give you a little background information.
Doom 3 was originally released for the PC in 2004. Despite its name, it is actually a reboot of the Doom story. The plot for this game mirrors that of the original Doom, but with deeper lore and a more engaging storyline. Instead of being just a simple run and gun style FPS. Doom 3, offers a slower and more atmospheric experience. The game is intentionally dark, monsters lurk behind every corner. In order to see, the player will often have to rely on a flashlight to illuminate their surroundings. The downside to this, is that in order to hold the flashlight, they must put aside their weapon. Naturally, this means that when an enemy leaps out of the shadows, the player is left scrambling to switch to their weapon. All of this creates a great tension that really adds to the gameplay.
Doom 3 was extremely successful. So much so that an Xbox version was released the following year. Around the same time as the Xbox port, an expansion pack titled Resurrection of Evil was also made available. This expansion added a new playable chapter, new weapons, and several new game mechanics (more on this later).
Then in 2012, an updated version of the game was released for PC, Xbox 360, and PS3. This new version, Doom 3 BFG Edition, offered improved textures, support for modern resolutions, tweaked gameplay mechanics, and in addition to Resurrection of Evil, it also featured a new expansion, The Lost Mission.
Despite the enhancements, many players took issue with some of the changes. For example, the flashlight was now mounted to the player’s armor. This means that it was no longer required to swap out the flashlight for a weapon. For many, this was a fundamental change that really watered down the tension. Also, the new version features a somewhat brighter lighting system and color palette. Again, some players felt that these changes altered the feel of the game, removing some of its atmospheric elements.
While I certainly understand the complaints, having played both versions, I feel that the positives of the BFG Edition outweigh the criticisms. To me, the game still maintains its gritty and tense atmosphere, even with the changes outlined above. The flashlight now has a timer that requires a short recharge once it goes out. This means, it’s still possible for players to be surprised by creatures lurking in the darkness.
Regardless of which version you feel is best, when purchasing the PC version of the game today, you actually receive both versions, so you can decide how you want to experience it.
The original Doom games had a very basic storyline that appeared only in the instruction manual. In Doom 3, the storyline is portrayed both through cutscenes and through in-game interactions. In this game, you play as a marine who has been assigned to a research facility on the planet Mars. Shortly after arriving, all hell breaks loose and the base is invaded by strange creatures. As you play through the game, the details surrounding the catastrophe slowly become clear.
In order to survive, the player must explore the facility and make their way to the deepest and most secret areas of the base itself. A lot of the story elements and the key to progressing are delivered through a PDA device that the player’s character is equipped with. Over the course of the game, this device will be upgraded to allow access to more secure areas of the base. It also serves as a portal that let’s the player read emails and and listen to audio logs of various base personnel. It is through this method, that details of the story unfold.
Players who enjoyed the original Doom games, will recognize almost every creature and location present in this game. For me, it was quite fun to see these now classic monsters and locales represented in more modern looking visuals. The one thing I wasn’t prepared for, however, was the pacing of the game. This is not a game you want to try to blast your way through. To survive in Doom 3, you will need to keep your wits about you. Listening for audio cues is just as important and catching the enemy in your sights. If you hear growling from around the corner, its never a bad idea to toss a grenade around that corner before just casually strolling face first into a room full of demons.
All this atmosphere and survival-horror like tension made Doom 3 and experience I’m not likely to forget any time soon. To me, it was certainly a breath of fresh air for the FPS genre.
That being said, the Resurrection of Evil expansion innovates the formula even further. Now, instead of just relying on horror elements, the expansion keeps the game feeling fresh by incorporating brand new game mechanics via a handful of new weapons.
The expansion adds a new “Grabber” tool (similar to the Gravity Gun from Half-Life 2 – another FPS game that was released in the time between Doom 3 and Resurrection of Evil), and an item known as The Artifact. Both of these new weapons feature unique abilities and mastering them is absolutely crucial in order to complete the new chapter.
I should mention that Doom 3 also features online multiplayer. All of the usual suspects are available, Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, etc. However, the multiplayer community for this game today is nonexistent. Even in its heyday, other FPS games of the era seemed to dominate the multiplayer space. During my playthrough of this game, I was never able to find a single active game online.
Once I had completed all of the content that Doom 3 BFG Edition had to offer, I felt extremely satisfied with the time I spent playing the game. This was a gaming experience that I’m not going to forget any time soon. Playing this game makes me wonder what else is in store for me as I continue to chug through my backlog.
Version Reviewed: PC
Difficulty: Variable – I’ll be up front and say that the original release of the game is a tad more difficult than the BFG release, simply because of the flashlight mechanic. That being said, there are other changes (such as availability of ammunition) that also affect the difficulty. Vanilla vs BFG debate aside, the game offers a number of difficulty options, and I’ve found them to scale pretty well.
Multiplayer: Yes.
Story: This game takes the premise from the original games and fleshes it out. The story is told via cutscenes, radio conversations, and through in-game documentation. It’s done very well and really adds to the play experience.
Originality: Despite being another FPS, Doom 3 manages to take the genre in new directions. The horror elements mixed with sci-fi are the perfect recipe for a good time.
Soundtrack: This game features an excellent soundtrack and superb voice acting. I wasn’t expecting much here, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Fun: I had a total blast playing this game. It was more fun than I expected and as a result, it dominated my free time. This is always the sign of a great game.
Graphics: People like to argue about which version of the game looks better. But to me, the differences are minimal. Either version of the game looks great in my opinion. The use of lighting and shadows are extremely well done and pair wonderfully with the game’s industrial-like textures.
Playcontrol: The default controls follow the standard WSAD binding that most players are familiar with. All of this can be tweaked, of course. But right out of the box, everythings feels natural and responsive.
Downloadable Content: The original game was expanded with an add-on pack. However, all DLC chapters are included with the BFG Edition.
Mature Content: Gore, Horror elements, Gruesome images, Paranormal themes, Violence, Language
Value: These days, both the original version of the game and the BFG Edition are sold together for around $10. Considering that the BFG Edition also contains the original versions of Doom and Doom II – this is a killer deal. You simply can’t go wrong at this price.
Overall score (1-100): 95 -This game exceeded my every expectation. I had no idea what I was missing out on. Everything from the graphics, to the story, to the atmosphere had me hooked. It’s rare that a game captures my attention the way this one did. I’m not going to tell you that Doom 3 is a perfect game. Because it’s not. I found plenty of weird behavior and funky glitches during my time playing. But I was still blown away by what this game brought to the table.
Original System: PC
Available today on: PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox One/X/S, Nintendo Switch – (Updated as of Summer 2025)
Best Experience: PC – (Updated as of Spring 2022)
Other Reviews In This Series:
Doom I & II – Sigil – Sigil II – Legacy of Rust – Doom 64 – Doom 3
Doom (Remake) – Doom Eternal – Doom: The Dark Ages
