Duke Nukem 3D: Difference between revisions

| engine = [[Build (game engine)|Build]]

| series = ''[[Duke Nukem]]''

| genre = [[First-person shooter]]

| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]

'''''Duke Nukem 3D''''' is a 1996 [[first-person shooter]] game developed by [[3D Realms]] and published by [[FormGen]] for [[MS-DOS]]. It is a sequel to the [[platform game]]s ''[[Duke Nukem (video game)|Duke Nukem]]'' and ''[[Duke Nukem II]]'', published by 3D Realms.

== Gameplay ==

Various items can be picked up during gameplay. The portable [[medkit]] allows players to heal Duke at will. [[Steroid]]s speed up Duke's movement, as well as instantly reversing the effects of the shrink-ray weapon and increasing the strength of Duke's Mighty Foot for a short period. [[Night vision]] goggles allow players to see enemies in the dark. The "HoloDuke" device projects a [[hologram]] of Duke, which can be used to distract enemies. Protective boots allow Duke to cross dangerously hot or toxic terrain. In sections where progress requires more aquatic legwork, an [[aqua-lung]] allows Duke to take longer trips underwater. Duke's [[jet pack]] allows the player to move vertically and gain access to otherwise inaccessible areas.

== Plot ==

=== Story ===

In "Episode One: ''L.A. Meltdown''", Duke fights his way through a [[dystopia]]n Los Angeles. At a [[strip club]], he is captured by pig-cops, but escapes the alien-controlled penitentiary and tracks down the alien cruiser responsible for the invasion in the [[San Andreas Fault]]. Duke confronts and kills an Alien Battlelord in the final level. Duke discovers that the aliens were capturing women, and detonates the ship. Levels in this episode include a movie theater, a red-light district, a prison, and a nuclear-waste disposal facility.

In "Episode Three: ''Shrapnel City''", Duke battles the massive alien presence through Los Angeles once again, and kills the leader of the alien menace: the Cycloid Emperor. The game ends as Duke promises that after some "[[R&R (military)|R&R]]", he will be "...ready for more action!", as an anonymous woman calls him back to bed. Levels in this episode include a sushi bar, a movie set, a subway, and a hotel.

== Development ==

''LameDuke'' is an early prototype of ''Duke Nukem 3D'', which was released by 3D&nbsp;Realms as a "bonus" one year after the release of the official version. It has been released as is, with no support.<ref name="LameDuke"/> ''LameDuke'' features four episodes: ''Mr.&nbsp;Caliber'', ''Mission Cockroach'', ''Suck Hole'', and ''Hard Landing''. Certain weapons were altered from the original versions and/or removed.

== Release ==

=== PC versions ===

* '''''Full Version''''': Released on April 19, 1996,{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} as version 1.3D. 3D Realms started shipping the full registered version to customers on May 5, 1996.<ref name="Nukem 3D Release Post"/> The company streamed the process of packing and shipping the first copies using a webcam. The full version contains the original three episodes, and includes the full versions of ''Duke Nukem'' and ''Duke Nukem II'' as bonus content.

* '''''Plutonium PAK/Atomic Edition''''': The ''Atomic Edition'' of ''Duke Nukem 3D'' was released in November 1996 as a standalone game. It contained the original three episodes, as well as a new eleven-level fourth episode, bringing the level total to 41 as opposed to 30 in the original ''Duke Nukem 3D''. The ''Plutonium PAK'' was released as an upgrade package to convert the original release of ''Duke Nukem 3D'' (v1.3d) to the ''Atomic Edition'' (v1.4, updated to v1.5 with the standalone ''Atomic Edition'' release and via a free download patch for the ''Plutonium PAK'' version on 3D Realms' website). It introduced two new enemies, the Protector Drone and the Pig Cop Tank, a new final boss, the Alien Queen, and a new weapon, the Expander. Changes to the script made the game easier to [[mod (video gaming)|mod]], and players could set up a multiplayer session against CPU [[artificial intelligence (video games)|bots]]. This is the only official add-on for the game developed by 3D Realms. Unlike the original release of ''Duke Nukem 3D'', however, the ''Atomic Edition'' does not include ''Duke Nukem'' and ''Duke Nukem II''.

=== Expansion packs ===

* '''''Duke It Out In D.C.''''': This is an authorized add-on developed by [[Sunstorm Interactive]] and published by [[WizardWorks]]; it was released in March 1997. President [[Bill Clinton]] is captured by alien forces, and Duke must save him. This expansion pack featured 10 new levels that were based on real-world locations, such as: the [[White House]], the [[FBI]] headquarters, the [[Smithsonian]] museum, the [[Washington Monument]], and other areas in Washington, D.C. The add-on was also included as part of an official compilation called ''Duke Nukem: Kill-A-Ton Collection'' through business deals with 3D Realms. Charlie Wiederhold created levels for this add-on.

* '''''Duke!ZONE''''': An authorized add-on released in 1996, published by WizardWorks, which includes 500 fan-made levels and various editing utilities.

* '''''Duke!ZONE II''''': An authorized follow-up add-on to ''Duke!ZONE'', published by WizardWorks and released in 1997. ''Duke!ZONE II'' contains three new episodes, each containing seven levels, created by Simply Silly Software and the same 500 fan-made levels from the original ''Duke!ZONE''.

* '''''Duke Xtreme''''': An authorized add-on released in 1997 and developed by Sunstorm Interactive, containing 50 levels (25 for single player and 25 for multiplayer) and various editing utilities.

* '''''Duke - It's Zero Hour''''': An add-on developed by ZeroHour Software and released in November 1997. It was originally slated to be a retail product via WizardWorks, but the developers ended up releasing it for free. It has 11 new levels that feature 12 all-new monsters, five new weapons, music, and sound effects.

* '''''Duke Nukem 3D''''' ([[Game.com]]) was released in 1997 in the USA only. Unlike every other version of the game, Duke Nukem cannot turn; he can only move forward, backward, and strafe to the left or right. Due to the Game.com's monochrome screen, it is also the only version to lack color. It only includes four levels from each of the original three episodes for a total of 12 levels. These levels were modified to accommodate Duke Nukem's inability to turn.

* '''''Duke Nukem: Total Meltdown''''' (titled simply ''Duke Nukem'' in Europe), the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] port released on December 2, 1997, was developed by [[Aardvark Software]].<ref>{{Cite web |author=I. G. N. Staff |date=1997-12-02 |title=Duke Nukem: Total Meltdown |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/12/02/duke-nukem-total-meltdown |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Duke Nukem: Total Meltdown |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=102|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=January 1998 |page=69}}</ref> It contains all three original episodes, plus an exclusive fourth episode, ''Plug 'n' Pray'',<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Major Mike |title=Duke Nukem: Total Meltdown|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=111 |publisher=[[IDG]]|date=December 1997 |page=86}}</ref> which includes six new levels and a secret level. The secret level was also included in the PC version of ''Duke Nukem 3D''. The new episode features several new enemies, including three new types of Pig Cops, and a new final boss, the CyberKeef. This version also features remixed music, some rearranged from the PC version, and some original, in streaming XA-Audio made by [[Mark Knight (musician)|Mark Knight]].<ref name="PSX-DN3D"/> It includes support for analog pads and the [[PlayStation Link Cable]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Duke Nukem: Total Meltdown |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=100 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=November 1997|page=70}}</ref>

The first ''Duke Nukem 3D'' port was from icculus.org. It is a cross-platform project that allows the game to be played on [[AmigaOS]], [[AmigaOS 4]], [[AROS]], [[BeOS]], [[FreeBSD]], [[Linux]], [[Mac OS X]], [[MorphOS]], [[Solaris (operating system)|Solaris]], and [[Windows]] rather than MS-DOS. The icculus.org codebase would later be used as the base for several other ports, including ''Duke3d_32''.<ref name="DN3D-32"/>

On April 1, 2009, an [[OpenGL]] Shader Model 3.0 renderer was revealed to have been developed for ''EDuke32'', named ''Polymer'' to distinguish from Ken Silverman's ''Polymost''.{{Citation needed|date=January 2015}} It allows for much more modern effects such as dynamic lighting and [[normal mapping]]. Although Polymer is fully functional, it is technically incomplete and unoptimized, and is still in development. As of the fifth installment of the ''High Resolution Pack'', released in 2011, the Polymer renderer is mandatory. In 2011, another significant development of ''EDuke32'' was the introduction of true room over room (TROR), where sectors can be placed over other sectors, and can be seen at the same time. In practice, this allows for true three-dimensional level design that was previously impossible, although the base engine is still 2D.

| MC = PC: 89/100<ref name=MC/><br />N64: 73/100<ref name=MCN64/><br />X360: 80/100<ref name=MCX/><br />PS3: 70/100<ref name=MCPS3/><br />VITA: 69/100<ref name=MCVITA/><hr>''20th Anniversary World Tour''<br />PC: 72/100<ref name=MC20AWT/><br />PS4: 77/100<ref name=MCPS4/><br />XONE: 70/100<ref name=MCXONE/>

| Allgame = 4.5/5 (SAT)<ref name="allgamereview">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1844&tab=review |title=Duke Nukem 3D (Sega Saturn) - Review |last=Williamson |first=Colin L. |publisher = [[AllGame]] |access-date=January 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114175216/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1844&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref>

| Fam = 21/40 (PS1)<ref name="DN3D-Famitsu"/>

| GSpot = 8.8/10 (PC)<ref name=GSpotReview/><br>7.3/10 (N64)<ref name=GS64>{{cite web |title=Duke Nukem 64 Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/duke-nukem-64-review/1900-2544343/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511030908/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/duke-nukem-64-review/1900-2544343/ |archive-date=May 11, 2015 |date=January 6, 1998 |access-date=June 11, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><br>4.8/10 (PS1)<ref name=GSPS>{{cite news |last=Soete |first=Tim |title=Duke Nukem: Total Meltdown Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/duke-nukem-total-meltdown-review/1900-2547360/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=16 July 2022}}</ref>

All versions of the game have earned a positive aggregate score on [[GameRankings]] and [[Metacritic]]. The original release on MS-DOS holds an aggregate score of 89% on GameRankings and a score of 89/100 on Metacritic.<ref name=GR/><ref name=MC/> The version released on Nintendo 64 holds an aggregate score of 74% on GameRankings and a score of 73/100 on Metacritic.<ref name=GRN64/><ref name=MCN64/> The version released on Xbox 360 holds an aggregate score of 81% on GameRankings while it holds a score of 80/100 on Metacritic.<ref name=GRX/><ref name=MCX/> The iOS version holds an aggregate score of 64% on GameRankings.<ref name=GRI/>

''Next Generation'' reviewed the Macintosh version of the game and stated that "Though it took a year, the Mac port of ''Duke Nukem 3D'' is an impressive feat, both for the game's own features, and the quality of the port."<ref name=NG33>{{cite magazine |title=Finals |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |issue=33 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=September 1997 |page=144}}</ref>

The Nintendo 64 version was likewise positively received, with critics almost overwhelmingly praising the new weapons<ref name=EGM102/><ref name=GS64/><ref name=IGN64/><ref name=NG37/> and polygonal explosions,<ref name=EGM102/><ref name=IGN64/><ref name=GProN6/> though some said that the use of sprites for most enemies and objects makes the game look outdated.<ref name=GS64/><ref name=NG37/> While commenting that the deathmatch gameplay is less impressive than that of ''[[GoldenEye 007 (1997 video game)|GoldenEye 007]]'', critics also overwhelmingly applauded the port's multiplayer features.<ref name=EGM102/><ref name=GS64/><ref name=IGN64/><ref name=NG37/> ''Next Generation'' stated that "The sound effects and music are solid, the levels are still interactive as heck, and it's never quite felt so good blasting enemies with a shotgun or blowing them to chunks with pipe bombs."<ref name=NG37>{{cite magazine |title=Finals |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |issue=37 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=January 1998 |page=142}}</ref> ''GamePro'' opined that the censoring of sexual content from the port stripped the game of all uniqueness,<ref name=GProN6>{{cite magazine |author=Scary Larry |title=Nintendo 64 ProReview: Duke Nukem 64 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=111 |publisher=[[IDG]] |date=December 1997 |page=134}}</ref> but the vast majority of critics held that the censorship, though unfortunate, was not extensive enough to eliminate or even reduce Duke's distinctive personality.<ref name=EGM102/><ref name=GS64/><ref name=IGN64/><ref name=NG37/> [[Peer Schneider]] of ''[[IGN]]'' called it "a better and much more intense shooter than ''[[Hexen: Beyond Heretic|Hexen]]'' and ''[[Doom&nbsp;64]]'', and currently the best N64 game with a two-player co-op mode. If you don't already own the PC or Saturn version of Duke, do yourself a favor and get it."<ref name=IGN64/> Crispin Boyer of ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'', while complaining that the large weapons obscure too much of the player's view in four-player mode, assessed that "You're not gonna find a better console version of Duke."<ref name=EGM102/>

The PlayStation console port met with more mixed reviews. ''GamePro'' and Tim Soete of ''GameSpot'' both found this conversion technically inferior, particularly the [[frame rate]].<ref name=GSPS/><ref name=GProPS>{{cite magazine |author=Major Mike |title=PlayStation ProReview: Duke Nukem: Total Meltdown|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=114 |publisher=[[IDG]]|date=March 1998|page=94}}</ref> Both also complained that the control configuration only provides three presets, with no option for custom configuration.<ref name=GSPS/><ref name=GProPS/> Soete also found the game had become dated by the time this version was released, though he still recommended it for those who do not own a PC.<ref name=GSPS/> ''IGN''{{'}}s Jay Boor gave it a more enthusiastic recommendation, saying it "plays exactly like its PC predecessor" and praising the PlayStation-exclusive levels and link cable support.<ref name=IGNPS/>

''[[PC Gamer]]'' magazine's readers' voted it #13 on its all-time top games poll.<ref>April 2000 issue</ref> The editors of ''PC Game'' ranked it as the 12th top game of all time in 2001 citing the game's humor and pop-culture references,<ref name="PCGame2001"/> and as the 15th best games of all time in 2005.<ref name="PCGame2005"/> ''[[GamePro]]'' included it among the most important video games of all time.<ref name="DN3D-GPro"/> In 2009, IGN's Cam Shea ranked it as the ninth top 10 Xbox Live Arcade game, stating that it was as fun as it was in its initial release, and praised the ability to rewind to any point before the player died.<ref name="XboxLiveArcade"/>

In Australia, the game was originally refused classification on release.<ref name="9News"/> 3D&nbsp;Realms repackaged the game with the parental lock feature permanently enabled, although a patch available on the 3D&nbsp;Realms website allowed the user to revert the game back into its uncensored U.S. version.<ref name="Uncensored"/> The [[Office of Film and Literature Classification (Australia)|OFLC]] then attempted to have the game pulled from the shelves, but it was discovered that the distributor had notified them of this fact and the rating could not be surrendered; six months later, the game was reclassified and released uncensored with an MA15+ rating.<ref name="Censory Overload"/> In Germany, the [[BPjM]] placed the game on their "List&nbsp;B" ("List of Media Harmful to Young People") of videos games, thus prohibiting its advertisement in the public. However, it was not fully confiscated, meaning that an adult could still request to see the game and buy it.<ref name="ListB"/> In 1999, ''Duke Nukem 3D'' was banned in Brazil, along with ''Doom'' and several other first-person shooters, after a rampage in and around a movie theater was supposedly inspired by the first level in the game.<ref name="DN3D-Banned"/>

==Notes==

<ref name="DN3D-Gearbox">{{Cite news |url=http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/2016/09/the-king-is-back-duke-nukem-3d-20th-anniversary-world-tour-arrives-october-11th/ |title=The King Is Back! Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour Arrives October 11th! |newspaper=Gearbox Software |access-date=2016-10-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014215413/http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/2016/09/the-king-is-back-duke-nukem-3d-20th-anniversary-world-tour-arrives-october-11th/ |archive-date=October 14, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name="DN3D-Assault">{{cite web |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/features/vgs/universal/duke_hist/p4_03.html |title=GameSpot - /features/vgs/universal/duke_hist/p4_03.html |publisher=Uk.gamespot.com |date=June 2, 2009 |access-date=December 21, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514100056/http://uk.gamespot.com/features/vgs/universal/duke_hist/p4_03.html |archive-date=May 14, 2009}}</ref>

<ref name="GSpot-PParadise">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/duke-lives-out-penthouse-fantasy/1100-2466623/ |title=Duke Lives Out Penthouse Fantasy |website=GameSpot |access-date=May 6, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name="N404-PParadise">{{Cite web |url=http://www.nitro404.com/mods/duke_nukem_3d.php?mod=penthouse_paradise |title=Duke Nukem 3D Mods |website=www.nitro404.com |access-date=May 6, 2016}}</ref>

<ref name="CodeReview">{{cite web |title=Duke Nukem 3D Code Review |url=http://fabiensanglard.net/duke3d/index.php |website=Fabien Sanglard's Website |access-date=January 14, 2015 |date=February 14, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231175014/http://fabiensanglard.net/duke3d/index.php |archive-date=December 31, 2014}}</ref>

<ref name="GR">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197174-duke-nukem-3d/index.html |title=Duke Nukem 3D for PC |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=August 6, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808061921/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197174-duke-nukem-3d/index.html |archive-date=August 8, 2014}}</ref>

<ref name="GRX">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/944795-duke-nukem-3d/index.html |title=Duke Nukem 3D for Xbox 360 |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=February 12, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231212742/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/944795-duke-nukem-3d/index.html |archive-date=December 31, 2014}}</ref>

<ref name="GRI">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/971365-duke-nukem-3d/index.html |title=Duke Nukem 3D for iOS (iPhone/iPad) |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=February 12, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231212946/http://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/971365-duke-nukem-3d/index.html |archive-date=December 31, 2014}}</ref>

<ref name="NG20">{{cite magazine |title=Doom to Dust? |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |issue=20 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=August 1996 |page=96}}</ref>

<ref name="GRevReview">{{cite web |title=Duke Nukem 3D review for the PC |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/duke-nukem-3d |date=June 5, 1996 |work=[[Game Revolution]] |access-date=July 1, 2009}}</ref>

<ref name="gamecenter1996">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970205013139/http://www.gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards96/indexa.html |url=http://www.gamecenter.com:80/Features/Exclusives/Awards96/indexa.html |title=The Gamecenter Awards for 96 |work=[[CNET Gamecenter]] |archive-date=February 5, 1997 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 30, 2019}}</ref>

<ref name="NG21">''Next Generation'' 21 (September 1996), p.59.</ref>

== External links ==

* {{moby game|id=/duke-nukem-3d|name=''Duke Nukem 3D''}}

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