Is Doom really that bad?

[pinksheets]

I know it has framerate issues but is it really unplayably bad or are people just exagerrating? I'm thinking about picking this title up but I don't want to spend $20 on a game that is unplayable. Is there any enjoyment to be had of this game? I'm not one of those people that are overly picky about graphic textures or slowdowns. I normally don't even notice those things.

I know the japanese version is rumoured to have better fps, but I only want imports of games that wern't released in USA. Thank you for any opinions!

[Syntesis]

Yes it's horrible just like all the console Doom ports. Play it on your computer instead for free.

[Aydan]

It is bad, very bad in frame rate issues. I love the sound track on PSX/Saturn unlike doom 'purists' but the game has a lot of slowdown and it is very noticable... i mean very... Also having things missing from other versions is silly. Oh well.

[Deleted]

I agree. The soundtrack is wonderful on the Saturn version. Never cared for the original PC version.

[vashogun]

I just wanted to say I logged in just now to post this exact same question XD ....That really sucks though. There is something about the idea of playing doom on the saturn that was really exciting to me. What FPS would you recommend instead? What about Quake, Exhumed, or Duke nukem 3D? (I've heard bad things about Duke as well. I've heard nothing at all either way about quake and exhumed)

[Aydan]

Exhumed on saturn is my favourite fps of all time. Quake is amazing on saturn too, duke is also very good although it was a rushed version and has missing textures and objects in places which is very noticable on the later 2nd and 3rd chapters, however it was rushed to focus more on quakes development as it was a much more difficult conversion.

Anyway on topic, exhumed is amazing although the US version is superior, not just because of 60hz full speed but better item locatiosn as well as less slippery edges on platforms. it's not that bif og a deal and i can complete the game without dying once but maybe i'm used to how the games play, very easy to look aim and move using the X button etc.

[vashogun]

I might settle for Quake then. I kind of wanted my first saturn fps to be one of the big names before I picked up Exhumed (which was exclusive right? Or was there a PSX version?)

[Aydan]

Exhumed is a better game than quake.

[Syntesis]

The music in Saturn/PSX Doom is a dreary load of pap. You want some metal plagiarism to rock out to while you kill demons! ;D



That said yeah, Exhumed is the one FPS on Saturn worth buying. Quake is kind of neat to see where they cut corners to get it working but it's horrible to play on a controller.

[vashogun]

Am I just messed up that despite all your warnings I still really want to play Doom on the saturn? Am I also misguided that I feel like having never played Doom for more than 2 minutes would mean I probably wouldn't notice this issue as much (except now I'll probably be looking for it. My head has been corrupted). I don't know maybe its the mid to late nineties vibe, but something about Doom and Saturn feels so right.... I hate that its so wrong. Would the fact that I'm going to be playing the american version help at all? (I'm in the US)

[Syntesis]

Dec 27, 2011 3:34:14 GMT vashogun said:

Am I just messed up that despite all your warnings I still really want to play Doom on the saturn? Am I also misguided that I feel like having never played Doom for more than 2 minutes would mean I probably wouldn't notice this issue as much (except now I'll probably be looking for it. My head has been corrupted). I don't know maybe its the mid to late nineties vibe, but something about Doom and Saturn feels so right.... I hate that its so wrong. Would the fact that I'm going to be playing the american version help at all? (I'm in the US)

This is how it feels like to be wrong. Remember it well and try not to repeat it.



And no. Saturn Doom is beyond help.

[Yart]

I hear the Japanese version of Doom plays slightly better than the other versions. If you're gonna play Doom, try to find a $5 Japanese copy or something. Still horrible, but a little less.

At least that was what I've been told. Never tried it myself.

[tempest]

I like Saturn Doom, even if it is a poor port. After owning both it and the PS1 version, I prefer the Saturn version, even if the PS1 version is much better from a technical stand and more playable.

The first few levels of Saturn Doom are perfectly playable. It's only later on in rooms filled with enemies that slowdown rears it's ugly head. On some levels it can be quite bad, on others its not so bad. When I first played the game in 1997, I didn't notice the slowdown, thinking the struggle to move quickly added tension to the game. It took my friends who'd played the PC version to point out what was actually happening.

There's much more pop-up or draw-in in the Saturn version, but this is hidden cleverly with darkness, which I think, along with the creepier music, gives the game a better atmosphere.

If you can find Saturn Doom cheaply, pick it up and give it a go. Otherwise grab the PS1 or PC version.

@ Syntesis: Thanks for posting that video. I knew about the Alice in Chains song, but it's interesting to know that id ripped off all those metal artists. I wonder if id were ever taken to court over this.

[Aydan]

Wrong wrong wrong and wrong.

The game IS 'playable' howevr the frame rate drops are SO frequent it gets VERY annoying, even in empty rooms. E1M1 The Hanger it happens as soon as you look left and go up the stairs to get the green armor. It's pathetic consdiering the 32x had a port with better framerates.

Anyway, if you're that pedantic just pck it up and play. Hell I played through Doom on saturn (which is both doom 1 & 2) from beginning to end and enjoyed it despite how bloody slow it got, especially in doom 2 later levels dear god....

Also, playing any Lobotomy fps with the pad (Exhumed/Powerslave, quake, duke 3d) is easy as pie, again maybe its me but I can look around and shoot, strafe and move all easily with no problems, and thats wih a standard saturn controller.

Also, I prefer the music in the Saturn/PSX ports. I just think a more atmospheric creepy ambience is far better for doom than cheap metallica/pantera rip offs in midi. The 3d0 ones sound cool too but still, for me the ambient music is far better for doom.

[mick_aka]

The Japanese version of Doom is very slightly better, but can also be a ballache to get hold of for a reasonable price.