Opinions about Doom

[mtshark7]

So according to eBay my CIB copy of Doom is arriving soon!

 

I hear alot of people saying how Doom for the Jaguar is one of the best versions to play.

 

Me being a huge fan of the Doom series wanted to check out all the hype.

So I was wondering what makes it the best version?

 

Also by best version I'm assuming its 'for its time' since as of now I'd imagine the best version to play would be the one you can buy from xbox live/PSN.

Edited November 1, 2012 by Mark T

[sh3-rg]

Also by best version I'm assuming its 'for its time' since as of now I'd imagine the best version to play would be the one you can buy from xbox live/PSN.

 

"for it's time on console" is probably a fairer way to put it.

[mtshark7]

sh3-rg: True but couldn't you compare some aspects of Jaguar's Doom with the PC version?

[wozencl]

Lower resolution, no in-game music and bugged multi-player.

 

Have a look through some of the older threads and you should be able to get an idea. It's definitely a good version but it's certainly not a revelation.

[sh3-rg]

sh3-rg: True but couldn't you compare some aspects of Jaguar's Doom with the PC version?

 

Not personally, I don't play PC games :-)

[Shamus]

The best version these days is probably PrBoom. But there's also Doomsday and LsdlDoom, so YMMV.

 

Back in the day I remember playing Doom on a friend's PC and thinking that the Jaguar port compared quite favorably--Doom and Rayman were the reasons that I got a Jaguar way back when.

[+save2600]

Best feature of JagDoom is that it's *Doom* for the Jaguar AND it's in cart form.

 

Full screen, plays well and has a nice frame rate. Can't say I miss the background music in this version either. Plus, it's great to be able to just pop in a cartridge and play straight away without having to boot a computer, listen to a noisy fain, fuss with CD's or play around with screen settings.

[Goochman]

For its time iD did a great job porting the PC version to the Jag. First thing you will notice are the colors are a bit more drab and not as many textures - they had to sacrifice some of this to fit on the cart. They also dont have as many 'decorations' like dead players due to space issues.

 

The levels are also chopped a bit and the Spider Demon and 'Rocket Guy' bosses are not present.

 

Other than that it is 100% pure Doom fun.

[Jagosaurus]

I think it's a great port . I'd much rather the no music with the smooth framerate running full screen. I'm glad the programmers didn't make the wrong compromise there.

 

22 of the 27 PC levels are present in Jag DOOM. Secret exits/levels are also there.

 

The "save" system is a little odd. It only remembers the levels you've completed... not weapons, ammo, or health. If you beat levels 1-10 and turn off the console, you turn console back on to start level 11 & you're with pistol only. This makes beating the game in higher difficulties troublesome after you die. In other versions... say you die far in, well you back out to menu & type in your level access code after death & now you're back with previous weapons, ammo, etc. Not possible in Jag version... pick up where you left off but with pistol only. Plus side to it! If the previous owner beat the game, you'll immediate have access to all levels!

 

BUT IIRC there is NO saving in SNES version lol . It is also much crisper than partial screen 32X port with lighting effects missing in 32X game. IMO only older console port that tops it is PSX (which includes most of Ultimate DOOM & DOOM II).

 

Jag DOOM gets more time in my Jag than any other cart (Super Burnout as a close 2nd!). I beat levels 1-3 Monday with 100% kills & secrets to get a quick fix... find myself picking it up often like that. Love this game! Try Wolf3D also. Another great id software port on Jag! Been playing them both since their DOS releases!

[JagChris]

For its time iD did a great job porting the PC version to the Jag. First thing you will notice are the colors are a bit more drab and not as many textures - they had to sacrifice some of this to fit on the cart. They also dont have as many 'decorations' like dead players due to space issues.

 

The levels are also chopped a bit and the Spider Demon and 'Rocket Guy' bosses are not present.

 

Other than that it is 100% pure Doom fun.

 

On the flip side the lighting effects are far better on the Jag than the PC and PSX version. The colors are more drab because some of the textures they had to leave out because of lack of room.

[Jagosaurus]

The PSX version revamped the lighting... for example the blue key areas have a section of blue overhead lights (rather than just blue textures on door). Some ppl like it, others don't. Saturn version is a port of PSX DOOM but runs at a bad frame rate.

 

IRRC, lighting effects are almost nonexistent in 32X DOOM. No flash when you fire a gun.

 

Forgot to mention enemies sprites have all animations in Jag DOOM, versus 32X version where you only see their front side.

 

Overall, Jag DOOM is very solid. I'm a huge Wolf & DOOM fan so I wouldn't toss that around lightly

[Jagosaurus]

Just verified... no saving or PWs in 32X port. You can choose any levels 1-15 & only 17 maps are included.

 

Jag version port was used as base for other console ports so they had to cut a few levels out for 32X port.

 

I'm a bit of a DOOM nut LMAO

 

Good facts on Jag DOOM:

http://doom.wikia.com/wiki/Atari_Jaguar

[Chilly Willy]

The Jaguar and 32X ports are based on the same code. If you look at the Jaguar code (which was released), you'll find places where it disables certain things with conditional compiler options (#ifdef JAGUAR or #ifdef MARS, for example) if you are compiling for "MARS", which is the 32X version.

 

The 32X could have had more levels, but they were trying to rush it out for xmas. There has since been a hack made from the Jaguar WAD to replace the 32X WAD that gives all the same levels.

 

The main things cut for the 32X was monsters facing other directions, monster in-fighting, and the lighting is on a sector basis only. The first two used conditional compiling, and the third was part of the 32X rendering code (where the Jaguar used JRISC assembly for rendering).

[Cobra Kai]

The 32X game is also missing the BFG in a normal game. To access the BFG reqiures a cheat code, that funnily enough, also eliminates even more of the levels as well.

 

The Jaguar game was actually written by John Carmack IIRC, whereas the other ports of the time were not.

Edited November 3, 2012 by Nuclear Pacman

[R.O.T.S]

Doom is one of my fav games of all time but I confess I played it mostly on the Playstation along with Final Doom,but this did not stop me purchasing it for the Jag when it came out. Of course I remember there being a few differences but I did not mind,this version did create a new problem though as the Jag version of Doom is the only FPS game I have ever played to give me motion sickness. I presume its the refresh rate or something but I have never really looked into the reasons why.

Edited November 3, 2012 by R.O.T.S

[mtshark7]

Thanks guys, those are some pretty interesting facts that I didn't know about Doom until now.

 

My copy of doom did come in finally and I was fairly impressed with how smooth the graphics run with no slowdown. Even tho I did run into a few parts with very minimal slowdown.

I also find not having background music makes the game very creepy like how I used to be creeped out about the game when it first came out.

 

One thing that sux about it is how it only saves the level with out all your weapons you acquired throughout the game.

So I had to stay and beat an entire episode before I could turn the game off. So far I beaten two episodes and I think I'm stuck on level 18?

 

So out of all versions of Doom that I own, only missing the psone and 3do versions, It's one of my favorite ports

 

I definitely was expecting choppy frame-rate like AVP but that is non existent in this version of Doom which is nice.

Now I gotta pick up a CIB version of Wolfenstein 3D

[Cobra Kai]

I wrote a review of 32X Doom a few years ago for Sega-16.com, if anyone wants to read it: http://www.sega-16.com/2006/04/doom/

 

Looking back I write far too much about comparing it to the Jaguar version, and most people didn't seem to happy with my very negative review of the 32x version. Oh well, sucks to be them. The Jaguar version still kicks the 32x version to the curb.

[Jagosaurus]

Mark, enjoy Jag DOOM. It is a good one! Wolf3D in great on Jag. It is arguably the best console port. Some purist argue that the 3DO port is closer to original, but Jag port all day! Supposedly Carmack ported Wolf3D to the Jag in one weekend! ...while getting to know the system to program DOOM. Great stuff! For DOOM's anniversary, Carmack did a play & talk of PC version and he praises the Jag port out of the console versions... neat to hear him single out Jag version!

 

Pacman, Nice write up on 32X DOOM. I never noticed the 32X logo was backwards on the box! Nice trivia! The 32X could've been much better if it hadn't been rushed. Glad they took the time on the Jag port!

[Vintagebreed]

Ive got few of the ports for Doom Saturn,PSX,3DO,Jag never played 32x version but as i read the forum posts i assume im not missing much.I have to say the worst out of the bunch was the Saturn port the best i thought was the Jag.I could tell the diffrence,s almost immediatly.I did however hate the fact you lost all weapons when you would come back to play the next day.I didnt mind them takeing out the bosses because i liked how the challenging lvl 23 was for the jag nice stage for a nice ending ^^.I have to say the next best port i thought was for the 3D0 lol try playing it right after you play the jag version and you can tell how great the jag port truley is thats how i did it.You can feel and see the slowdown so it really made me appreciate the jag port alot more.

[mtshark7]

So I was over my parent’s house last night messing on their computer so I decided to check out Shamus links in post #6 and I think that Doomsday engine is fantastic! I was playing Doom 2 and what a huge difference/enhancement it is! I remember I used to play Doom 2 on my old Mac laptop and I remember the background music being soo much better than the PC version. While playing Doomsday the sound was just as good as it was on Mac. Talk about a throwback, lol.

 

 

Nuclear Pacman: I agree that the Jaguar version is way better than the 32X version. I also think that the SNES version is better than the 32X version as well, mainly in the sound department. I’ll check out your 32X review later on today.

 

 

Jagosaurus: Thanks, I am definitely enjoying the Jag version of DOOM!

I still gotta get Wolf 3D for Jag. I do own wolf 3D for 3DO and it’s a fairly good port. That’s crazy Carmack ported Wolf 3D in one weekend! He’s def. an impressive programmer.

[SoundGammon]

Wolfenstein 3D, this game is great when played through a surround sound system! You sometimes hear the enemy from behind you as you play-very cool!

[+DarkLord]

And if you think Doom is fast, and it gives anyone motion sickness, just "run" in Wolf3D...

[skaredmask]

So according to eBay my CIB copy of Doom is arriving soon!

 

I hear alot of people saying how Doom for the Jaguar is one of the best versions to play.

 

Me being a huge fan of the Doom series wanted to check out all the hype.

So I was wondering what makes it the best version?

 

Also by best version I'm assuming its 'for its time' since as of now I'd imagine the best version to play would be the one you can buy from xbox live/PSN.

 

If you want the ""finished"" version of the game. The GBA version use's same code as the Jaguar but also had the music and a little more finish than the Jaguar version.