Id’s lips area sealed about the objects that made us woo and sigh when picked up for the first time. At the Electronic Expo (E3) demo, a pistol and shotgun were shown. We can be sure that all of the weapons would be brought over from the original. One can’t have a Doom without a plasma rifle or BFG 9000. Ah, yes, the BFG 9000… Remember picking it up for the first time, curious what powers it held? With the amazing graphics engine confined within John Carmack’s computer, one can only imagine how this weapon of mass destruction would run under a Radeon 9700 graphics card.    Surely there will be a rocket launcher; few shooter games lack one. Starting from the bottom, it is possible, but uncertain, that there will be a fist. After all, what do you do without any ammo and prior to finding a chainsaw? And there probably will be a chainsaw. If the demons can have it, so can you. Shotguns, yes. Machine guns, unconfirmed, but possible. Rocket launcher: yes. Plasma rifle, likely, and BFG is confirmed.     And in addition to the originals, id is likely to add some new weapons to the list. New beasts require new firepower…

    Indeed, Doom III is looking like it will be a revolutionary game, just as its predecessor was. Although you’ll need top-notch technology to enjoy this game to the fullest, everyone else will also get to enjoy the BFG 9000… moments before crashing the computer. Doom III promises a lot. However, don’t expect seeing much water, much less actually being in it. John Carmack states that they are staying away from fluids. There wont be very much action outside, either, where “marines rush back inside before their heads blow up because of the atmosphere”. In order to deploy fear, Doom III’s creators are looking for claustrophobic, dark, and moody conditions. So, no more hordes of demons beneath the reddish skies of Mars? No more lava to chew away at my boots?

    Multiplayer? Yes. Deathmatch form, only. There will be no cooperative play through the levels. A Deathmatch pack is likely to come after Doom III’s initial release, say id. As stated numerous times, Doom III is intended to give you bladder problems, unlike the fast-paced originals and the Quake series.

    It seems that id has skipped the Phobos and Deimos episodes altogether, with Doom III being entirely on Mars. And afterwards, it is only logical that the new, redesigned monsters attack Earth, thus leading to Doom IV, a remake of Doom II… However, that is far away.

    There is no ‘in conclusion’ here, just ‘Icon of Sin’. We have taken a peek at the highly anticipated Doom III and how it resembles the series that shook the world and set the stepping stone for all first-person shooters to follow. Most of the monsters and all the weapons will return, and a few new ones will be added. The graphics will be truly astounding, so stock up your computers. Doom III will run under a GeForce 2, but good luck making out that pixelated imp. Sludge-bottom cards will run it, although with shadow effects, physics engine, and other things off.

No word on music yet, other than it will be used rather scarcely, only to set up scenes and build up tension. Hopefully, some of the original catchy melodies would be brought back. Trent Reznor, responsible for Quake’s metallic tunes, is doing the music for this game. So by looking at Quake and its successor, we have some idea of what to expect sound-wise. And sound-wise, id recommends a 5.1 surround-sound speaker system for their latest iteration. That way, you would be able to tell whether that pinkie demon is behind you or simply lurking around the coming bend.     Yes, Doom III IS (notice the emphasis) worthy of upholding the Doom name. Expect pinkies, and imps, and hell-princes, and arachnotrons, oh my! And what better way to get their attention then with a pistol, shotgun, machine gun, rocket launcher, plasma rifle, and of course, best attention-getting device since that swirling portal to hell, the BFG 9000. Yes, Doom III promises a lot, and seems to have everything. It captures the original and its main component: shooting and blowing up stuff. Perhaps what will be missing from Doom III the most is that little face at the bottom of the screen, wincing in pain as fireballs sear your skin.

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