There
was a time when mentioning the words “Doom” and “RPG” in the same sentence was
only done in reference to turning a zombie into a pile of ludicrous gibs by way
of a launched explosive. However, those days are long gone, as JAMDAT releases
their mobile take on the Doom franchise, Doom RPG. While not exactly a
full-fledged entry to the RPG realm, Doom RPG takes elements from the genre and
applies them to the Doom franchise. What’s even more shocking is that they do it
well, making Doom RPG a compelling entry to the genre, the Doom series, and the
mobile gaming market in general.
Doom
RPG, much like the original Doom (or any subsequent entry, for that matter)
doesn’t have much in the way of story, simply following your Space Marine as he
tries to make way through a space station under attack by hordes of Hell-borne
demons and zombified compatriots. This time around, you have plenty of
scientists and NPC’s to help you on your way, doling out helpful hints to assist
your journey.
The game
changes things up quite a bit from the original by moving into Role-Playing Game
ground, which was an extremely wise choice for the mobile platform. The game
wouldn’t have been half as approachable, much less playable, had they tried to
do a straight port of the classic PC game. The game uses turn-based RPG-style
gameplay, still through a first-person perspective, albeit more like old-school
RPG’s like Eye of the Beholder or Wizardry than twitchy FPS games. You do a bit
more puzzle solving than you did in the original Doom, performing tasks like
hunting down key codes and using non-combat items like a fire extinguisher to
put out fires for example, even though you still must do things like hunt down
colored keys in order to open locked doors and so on.
As you
perform tasks like killing enemies and solving puzzles, your character will gain
experience points. Like in any other RPG games, experience points allow you to
level up, giving you means to inflict more damage, carry more armor and have
more hit points.
Also,
the popular favorites from the Doom canon of weaponry are available in the game,
with perennial darlings like the double-barreled shotgun and the BFG making
appearances. Further, each weapon has a varying degree of success when it comes
to dispatching certain foes. Even non-combat items can be appropriate for taking
down some baddies. For example, the axe (generally used to open busted doors)
can be used to quickly dispose of zombies, and the fire extinguisher does the
trick when taking out fire demons.
Graphically, Doom RPG looks very good, effectively capturing the aesthetic of
the original game. The monsters look exactly like they did a good 13 years ago
(which is a good thing) and the game is rife with nice little details, like your
character’s grimacing face in the HUD. Also, the music from first stage in the
original Doom is present in the title screen, which is a nice touch for
nostalgia buffs, like myself.
Doom RPG
is a great game, and a worthy purchase for anyone with a capable mobile phone.
Old-school Doom fans will love the aesthetic faithfulness to the original, while
everyone else will enjoy the game’s ease of play and accessibility. If you are a
gamer looking to get into cell-phone gaming, then Doom RPG is a worthy purchase.
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Gameplay: 9.0
Doom RPG is a
refreshing approach to the franchise, offering great turn based gameplay with
some great RPG elements and puzzle solving.
Graphics: 9.0
Graphically, Doom RPG does a fine job of remaining faithful to the look of the
original as each weapon and enemy is pulled straight from first two Doom games.
Sound: 8.0
The Doom theme
that plays in the title screen is a great touch, but the bloops and bleeps that
exist throughout the actual game leave a little bit to be desired.
Difficulty: Medium
Concept: 9.0
It’s a cardinal
rule not to mess with the classics, but JAMDAT does a great job at making an
original game with appeal to both nostalgia buffs and those who never
experienced the original Doom first hand.
Overall: 9.0
Doom RPG is a compelling and engaging game that stands on its own on the mobile
platform. Nothing has been done quite like it before this on the platform, but
this game is so well done that imitators are almost guaranteed.
