Duke Nukem Forever: Was it all that bad?

[mjakob42]

Hello, SF-O! So for my birthday in March this year, mis padres put the long-awaited Duke Nukem Forever on pre-order for me as a gift. Obviously, in June, I would become a proud owner of a game I've been waiting a long time for. Unfortunately, the package was a week late due to some shipping troubles (as far as I know). In the meantime, I figured I might as well read reviews...nothing but critical panning and bashing was all I saw on the Internet.

Then I saw the package sitting on my doorstep.

Despite critical and popular opinion, I was uber-excited to play it, but I knew it wasn't going to be the greatest game ever made. Let's face it; NO game is ever going to live up to all the hype it gets (let alone 15 years of it). I went downstairs and popped the disc in my XBOX 360 and started gunning away at nasty aliens...and I loved every second of it! As a matter of fact, Duke Nukem Forever just happens to be one of my favorite FPS's to come out in a VERY long time.

So, what I'm getting at is asking for your guys' honest opinion on this game. I can accept the fact that it came out at the wrong time (amidst game series' like Halo and Call of Duty) and newer generations of gamers might not know who Mr. Nukem is, but was the game itself really that bad?

While we're at it, what are some other games you find incredibly underrated?

[Sarita]

If you were expecting anything other than a Duke Nukem game, I can see where it would be underwhelming. For me (watching Steve play it because I'm no good at FPSs), it would be a guilty pleasure, if only because the child in me giggles at sex and bodily function jokes.

[TCPeppyTc]

I hear it was somewhat vulgar and sexist... but kinda fun anyway

["User"]

Only Duke games I've played back in the day were the first two. I never got into Duke Nukem 3D for some reason. From the reviews of this game I've read it's probably more likely to be enjoyed by old school fans who grew up in the 90's with this guy as opposed to the more politically correct gamers of today.

[mjakob42]

I can kind of understand the sexist complaint, but then again, it's a Duke Nukem game, a piece of a series about a (sort of) Ahnuld look-alike who kills aliens and goes to strip joints

Let me reassure you, though, I'm not a chauvinist.

Only Duke games I've played back in the day were the first two. I never got into Duke Nukem 3D for some reason. From the reviews of this game I've read it's probably more likely to be enjoyed by old school fans who grew up in the 90's with this guy as opposed to the more politically correct gamers of today.

That's a first to hear from somebody - most everybody I know who played Duke games back in the day was Duke Nukem 3D, though the original sidescrollers are, to me, just as awesome. Edited December 5, 2011 by Sarita
Please don't double post- use the "edit" feature instead. :)

[Guest Mr. N]

Meh, played the demo of it myself and...the controls are kinda bad and I don't get why you're limited to 2 guns when...you shouldn't be.

Also, Duke Nukem Forever is taking the same route with TF2 (Paraodying not only the game but having hats to wear too)...not sure if good.

(Also use the edit button instead of makin a double post)

[Arashikage]

For a game that had been in development for 14 years, yeah, it was very very disappointing. But other than that, when you look at it as a regular game, it wasn't terrible. Just disappointing is all.

[ballisticwaffles]

Yes it was.

Moving on...

[Vy'drach]

I pre-ordered the Balls of Steel edition, as I was super excited for it, got the early beta code, played it. Went to Gamestop the next day and cancelled it immediately.

All it was, was Call of Duty in a new skin, without the name to back it up, and filled with one-liners. I can play Duke Nukem 3D any time, but it took serious effort to even finish the demo.

All they needed to do was make more Duke Nukem 3D style, such as carrying all the guns, not this:

And use more retro FPS map design, demonstration B:

But rehashing Call of Duty, what is usually a mediocre game in its own right, and stamping Duke Nukem's name and likeness on it, was a bad move.

[El Zorro de la Estrella]

WARNING: Past rage resurfacing below

Pre-Ordered Balls of Steel Edition; loved it; went online and saw people bashing it because IT WASN'T COD OR HALO; raged; got over it; went back to playing DNF.

It's a GREAT game. People forget that it was in Developmental Hell for 14 Years and so CAN'T be as up-to-date and shizz as CoD and Halo. It was built on old tech, jumped around tech through the years, and only just got finished and released in 2011.

Is it fun? Hell Yes

Is it playable? Definitley

Does it appeal to a certain fanbase? No question

BUT! Is it CoD or Halo? NO! DNF is it's OWN GAME.

Yes, yes I mad.

And yes, that IS the reason the majority (not all mind) of people I saw bashed it; is that it wasn't CoD or Halo in graphics/presentation/tech/etc.

/Dat Rage

[Vulvokunvrii]

Well I haven't played the real one, but I DID play the demo. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't something I wanted to necessarily buy. I mean yes its like an M game or something and play that stuff...but it just seemed a bit obnoxious to me. The one liners where great and everything was beautiful looking, etc, but it just wasn't "my thing." I hope thats understandable, but the lighterisde of things:

You liked it, and thats all that matters

(Some of the games I love to play didn't really get good reviews either, but everyone likes what they like in the end.)

[El Zorro de la Estrella]

Exactly Rey, exactly.

Also, I'm immature enough that the one-liners crack me up everytime!