Review: Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil (XBX)

We’re certainly not one for excuses at Gamestyle and so the time has come to return to Mars and the abandoned UAC facility. Set two years after the events of Doom 3, a weak signal from the ruined base prompts the arrival of an investigation team, led by Dr Elizabeth McNeil. The advance marines display little intelligence when stumbling upon the source, reaching out for an artefact and heralding the return of the forces of evil. Now its up to you to escape from the facility whilst putting an end to the portal once and for all.

Arriving just a year after Doom 3 its no surprise that Resurrection of Evil decides to play it safe. There are some new inclusions, which Gamestyle will highlight further on, but the gameplay itself relies once again on linear routes and simplistic scare tactics. It reaches out to the converted with aplomb and even throws in a few Doom classics (Ultimate Doom, Doom 2, Master Levels for Doom 2) to tempt the undecided.

Following on from our experience with Doom 3, it is disappointing that more wasn’t done or even attempted within the space of a year. The storyline can be summed up in just a few words, and while the id technology remains impressive it’s not a valid enough reason to return to Mars. While critics will argue this is nothing more than a glorified expansion pack with a few new multiplayer levels, Valve has shown the benefit of their approach. Episodic content backed up with impressive technology, but with a storyline at its heart is far more effective and fans will wait patiently for the next instalment. Yet they won’t forgive a sudden rush to market at a premium price.

This aside, Resurrection of Evil across each of its twelve levels is as solid and entertaining as its predecessor, although shorter overall. It is a solitary experience shunning the appeal of co-operative play or the potential offered by a group of space marines on the rampage. The eerie atmosphere is built upon the superb surround sound mix, yet even this aspect cannot shore up the defences against another demon portal. The scare tactics are predictable as any video nasty, relying on cheap gore or pantomime ‘he’s behind you’ set pieces. What could have been a genuinely unsettling experience is lost amidst the macho gun toting bravado that forms a key part of the attraction of any id title. The PDA’s again form the basis of the underlying storyline enhancement, yet are not as evident in number or detail as in Doom 3.

Speaking of guns, the arsenal has been improved over Doom 3. The pistol now comes with a fixed flashlight, which not only prompts more use, but also removes an annoying oversight of the original title. Fans will be pleased with the double-barrelled shotgun that packs a real punch, but is timid in comparison to the artefact itself. The most interesting addition is the ionised plasma levitator that allows you to lift objects and use them as projectiles. Half Life 2 may have debuted such a feature and utilised its possibilities to greater effect, but id have pointed out that the weapon existed during the development of the original and was used to create realistic room damage. Why someone during this process didn’t actually spot the possibilities offered by the levitator is a great mystery. 

It is possible for the majority of Resurrection of Evil to ignore the levitator and blast your way through each of the levels. The environments are new and allow you to see another side of the Mars facility, but it is fair to comment that many of the levels are very short. Another worrying aspect is the repetitive reliance on finding access keys to unlock a door, which always reside in a nearby-unlocked entrance. Failing that, there is the need to obtain power cells to advance your way through the facility. Even over the space of a few hours such repetitive demands limit your enjoyment. However the linear nature of the game means that such obstacles are solved often without thought.

Gamestyle enjoyed its return to the Doom 3 world, thanks to the backwards compatibility offered by the Xbox 360. The Doom experience remains streamlined and ruthlessly efficient, lacking the epic scope that we’ve come to associate with other first person shooters. Mars may be fun to visit, but Gamestyle would only suggest a few hours before catching a connection elsewhere.

Rating: 6 / 10

Words by Jason Julier