Doom 3: VR Edition

- Reviewed on PSVR -

Doom 3: VR Edition released on March 28th, 2021.

Taking a title that initially released all the way back in 2004, Archiact took on quite the challenge when they developed a brand-new VR experience with one of Bethesda's most loved series.

Doom 3: VR Edition was my first ever time with Doom 3. 

Mixing those new game getters with the scary atmosphere of VR, and you got a revolutionary horror experience that I'm so glad I took on!

This review WILL have Major Spoilers so keep that in mind before continuing...

Set in the year 2145, you play as the main protagonist simply titled "Marine" throughout the story. 

The main plot revolves around the villain, Dr. Malcolm Betruger, and his path of corruption with Hell and its demons. 

The game takes you to a plethora of sections on Mars of a scientific research facility, that will take approximately 11 hours to complete (...or survive). 

Doom 3: VR Edition also takes horror to an extreme! Not only does it take it up a notch immediately with the inclusion of VR, but with the demons constantly in your face, and showing up behind you after you empty out rooms... this game had me constantly on my feet. 

However, with all these positive mechanics, I did find myself ultimately growing bored of the same shtick. 

Doom 3: VR Edition slowly introduces new weapons, mechanics, secrets, etc. that make your playthrough(s) enjoyable, but I unfortunately found myself lacking in excitement until the DLCs, where they did introduce actual gameplay altering mechanics.   

As you strap on the VR headset for Doom 3: VR Edition, you will notice that cutscenes will be in a traditional 2D video package, alternating between that and the standard VR experience (POV).

I absolutely loved the way VR operates in Doom 3: VR Edition at the end of the day. You can fully move your head around the play area and using the controller is the main aspect of interacting.

You will use the PS4 controller to move your hands during computer sequences and even to use / interact with your weapon(s).

I found myself occasionally stopping after the high stakes combat (more on that later) and moving my controller all around in front of me to get a good close up at the weapon currently selected and admire the detail. 

Archiact did a simply phenomenal job at the VR mechanics, even going far enough for you to use the controller to aim and hold your guns like in real life. You can crouch and point your controller above you in real life to shoot demons across the rooms, and much more! 

There is also the flashlight mechanic that you can toggle on and off. However, having it on too long results in it shutting down for a brief period of time. 

Backtracking is key in Doom 3: VR Edition as well. Some rooms, lockers, and whole sections of the map will be locked until you get authorized permission by key NPCs (story progression), or most commonly, PDAs.

These PDAs (personal digital assistants) are Doom 3: VR Edition's main collectibles that add more longevity to this title. However, due to the game being only for VR, I don't know if I'm willing to put on the headset again for such a long and tedious story.

I loved the story but the voice acting felt very robotic and scripted with hardly any personality behind the voices (with the slight exception for Dr. Malcolm Betruger). 

The graphics were actually very well done for this game (even back in 2004) and managed to keep up with the VR's combabilities. I didn't have any glitches with out of bound VR slip ups, or anything else of that nature! And for a VR title / experience, that helps the player(s) stay invested in the game and feel like their actually there in VR (which I felt like I was each time I played).

The weapon selection in Doom 3: VR Edition was ok in my opinion. You pretty much had your standard "Doom" loadout as you eventually unlocked more weapons one by one. 

I stayed prominently with the Plasma Rifle and Shotgun, but as you got to harder enemies, it was necessary to switch to other heavy hitters, which is what you want the player to do / know when making a game in the first place. 

The full arsenal of weapons in Doom 3: VR Edition are...

    - Fists

    - Grabber (DLC)

    - Pistol

    - Shotgun

    - Double Barrel Shotgun

    - Machinegun

    - Chaingun

    - Grenades

    - Plasma Rifle

    - Rocket Launcher

    - BFG 9000

    - Soul Cube (towards the end of the game)

Combat is as classic in this game as the other Doom titles with fast and intense gun fights, blood, and gore! Horrifying noises in your ears with demons towering over you in height (whilst in VR) was truly nightmare fuel for me... and I loved it! 

Searching for ammo when I ran out for my favorite weapon was always fun, scary, and nerve reckoning all at the same time as the demons could / would respawn after you thought you cleared them all out. 

Walls you had no idea were actually secret spawn locations for demons, always jump scared me, and that is something I was getting used to, but still got scared later on.

I had my fair share of Doom experiences, but Doom 3: VR Edition was elevated to another level in VR. 

Like I said before, Doom 3: VR Edition was my first time with the actual Doom 3 installment, and now my memories of this game will always be of VR and how engaged / realistic it felt to be on Mars, surrounded by demons! 

A great game overall, but in hindsight, not one I would revisit due to the repetitive nature and tedious length.  

Pros: 

    - Outstanding, Jaw Dropping VR Experience

    - Great Music

    - Collectibles

    - Deep Game Lore

    - Plethora of Weapons

    - Actually, Scary with Horrifying Enemies

Cons:

    - Tedious Venture

    - Poor Voice Acting

My Rating for Doom 3: VR Edition (on PSVR):

4 / 5

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Disclaimer

All Reviews, Ratings, Pros, Cons, and Opinions Shared on this Blog (Press A Reviews) are my (Connor Butler) own Thoughts and Feelings.