vapidsage

Decades ago Songbird Productions was talking about making a Doom+ cart for the Jag. I don't know what ever happened to that. I think they were having trouble finding people to work on it. If they make it I'll totally buy it! Those who have Deathmatched on the Jag--I seem to recall that there is actually an Invisibility powerup in one level. Can you confirm?

I mean, a lot and not a lot. It's limited by graphics, obviously. But it's really the closest thing in video games of the time. You had the option of full-on RPGs like Final Fantasy or whatever, but I never liked those. It manages to be cinematic in the way a video game should be--cinematic in action. So you're playing out the scenes for the most part rather than, say, reading them. And it is pretty scripted regardless.

I definitely recommend playing the 3DO version for the awesome backgrounds. And Heart of the Alien for the one-of-a-kind cutscenes! To address what you've both said about the screens, as far as I could tell, there were all the same screens I'm familiar with from all the other console versions I've played (and I guess the only one missing from my experience is Sega Genesis and, of course, recent re-released like Switch or PS4 or whatever the kids are playing now). I thought I recalled reading about stages that weren't in the original, but I can't find anything about them currently. this stage is in the Jaguar version but not in the original Amiga: http://earok.net/game/another-world-lost-level. That must be what you guys are talking about, as I recognize it from other console versions. It is interesting that Cinemascope mode didn't make the cut from Amiga, and those scorpions in the first level didn't either.

So I got my copy from the third batch of Another World cartridges for Jag, and I'm pleased with my purchase. Don't know if anyone cares about my review, but I wouldn't mind sparking a discussion about comparisons between versions that goes to interesting new places. Another World is one of those interesting games that changes from platform to platform depending on the developers and the platform's capabilities, just like Doom, and in that way it's absolutely fascinating--along with the fact that it's just a damn good game. The first version of the game I played was a Mac demo, then I got the SNES cart. It wasn't bad at the time, being my first playthrough of the whole thing and considering that I hadn't yet become discerning in my assessment of games. By the time I'd played the 3DO and Sega CD versions, however, I was spoiled by them and didn't go back to the SNES for that game. After all, both those versions had CD-quality music, the 3DO had those excellent remastered backgrounds and the Sega CD had a whole sequel on it! So, of course, in the 2020s I got an opportunity to see what could become of the game on the Jag, and I took it. Another World, especially under the development of the people who ported it, demonstrates why the Jag is a worthy machine. It's smooth and looks good, and the sounds are beefy and crisp. It seems this version includes more sounds overall, perhaps--I noticed when I was kicking the slugs, Lester gave a little grunt every single time. This is along with his yell if you go for the fine when the monster's not chasing you. There's less music than other versions, and I'm not sure if it's because of the issue that prevented music in JagDoom or just a stylistic choice. The best stylistic choice was, perhaps, the inclusion of the remastered backgrounds from the 20th Anniversary Edition of the game; though not presented in their full original resolution, the Jag is easily capable of their 256 colors. And though they're not as pretty as the 3DO backgrounds, they're simple but elegant. I'm not sure if I just didn't wait long enough, but the easter egg at the end of the second level didn't appear to have been included somehow. It's not too surprising, though, considering that I've seen a playthrough by Eric Chahi himself on Youtube and he didn't wait around for it. I don't even know if anyone here will know what I'm talking about, but let's find out. After Buddy drops you into that shaft, if you wait around for a moment, the guard gets the door open. You can see his feet approach Buddy's feet. After not too long, his feet then disappear. I figure that must mean Buddy's picked him up off the ground to beat him up. Anybody else found this before?

I already posted above to be part of the bulk U.S. order. But I see that people are giving you their order numbers, so mine is 370.

Hey Albert, I preordered mine. I was emailed by Morgan Le Guludec from RGC, who told me I should post in this thread so you can write down my nickname. I don't know how this is all finally going to work out, but I have to get my copy of this one way or another! Long story short--count me in. Just let me know what to do.

Sorry...http://www.classicdoom.com/doomcomp.htm It looks like the period at the end of the sentence was included as part of the link last time, and that messed everything up. Stupid technology. Anyway, now you should be able to take a look.

Well thanks to Wood_jl for the warm welcome! I don't know how long I'll stick around or how often I'll post, being that my Atari knowledge is extremely limited. I do, however, love the Doom topic, and managed to find this: http://www.classicdoom.com/doomcomp.htm. Thought I'd share. Also, Wood, I disagree that it all ranges from compromise to all-out suckage. Yes, there's a ton of compromise throughout every single version--don't forget the missing Arch-Viles in Playstation Doom. Also, let's not ignore the possibility that even though N64 revamped everything, it didn't have a large number of monsters at all...it had new stuff, but did it have more? We wouldn't even know, we were all so mystified by the newness of it all. They did good, revamping it, just saying. It takes a keen eye to compare them all, and God is in the detail.

I love, love LOVE this topic. I could go on about Doom for hours. During my heyday I would switch between the 3DO, Jaguar, SNES, PSX, Saturn, N64 and 32X versions quite regularly (and also play some other games on those systems so as to not be switching them out fifty times per day). It took me a while to own a PC in those days, but my best friend did. He introduced me to Doom. One day I bought the SNES version and fired it up, and it was the best thing ever. Then I showed it to him. He immediately remarked on how terrible the graphics were. I made it my mission from that point on to find all the merits of the SNES version, while admitting all the faults, and I picked up more consoles (most of the time once they were no longer making games for them, thus these consoles were available for a very low price), and more Dooms. And they were ALL SO DIFFERENT! I loved it. It seems like every developer at the time went out of their way to make each Doom different from all the others, to give their console some way of competing, however trifling, and they succeeded. The SNES version had great music. I noted that immediately. In time, I would discover that the 3DO had surpassed even the SNES in terms of musical quality, but in the meantime, the SNES music was amazing. The SNES levels were all identical to the PC version, albeit with horrible graphics in comparison. All the enemies were always facing you, gunshots were invisible, i.e. you couldn't see them if you shot the wall or something, and though it has no Spectres, the invisibility effect is superior to the original PC version. It's ultimately the same effect that the 3DO, Saturn and PSX have, but still...I can't recall what else the SNES had going for it at the moment, but hell, having all the levels intact meant the SNES offered a different level set than the other consoles, which made it a different experience. The 32X version. Ah, yes, I remember firing that one up and being monumentally disappointed with the level selection. At the same time, however, I was mentally prepared to like the graphics more than I liked the SNES version simply because it was 32-bit as opposed to 16-bit (although supposedly the "Super-FX chip" inside the SNES Doom cartridge bumped it up somehow). They actually were a bit better, and I also remember thinking that the chopped up levels were actually modifications of the original levels--in other words, re-imagined versions which were meant to be superior. In retrospect, I dunno, I still think it was pretty cool that they were different, whatever the reason. I remember that the monsters could only face you on the 32X as well, and that it was missing invisibility/Spectres, the Spiderdemon and the Cyberdemon. It was pretty fast, I recall, had a pretty cool-sounding chainsaw and a very fast chaingun compared to the other consoles. Other than that? I'm not sure what it had going for it. The Jaguar. Yeah, I have a feeling that's the one we've all been waiting for. A 64-bit console Doom. I thought, "surely this one is the greatest one yet" and "surely it will prove superior to the PC version". I didn't know a heck of a lot about computers and bits and graphics and whatnot at the time, so I was very excited to fire up an Atari Jaguar and play Doom on it. And you know what? I wasn't disappointed. Sure, the resolution wasn't up to PC standards, but the graphics overall were much better than the previous two. I remember noticing that there was no music in the levels, but really, after hearing the 32X music, I wondered if maybe there was a reason. I remember figuring out somehow that the items, monsters, weapons, etc. had more shades than the PC version or almost any other, due to seeing things in different light levels and in rooms where the lights were oscillating, for a more realistic effect. I loved the new levels, the tint of the rad suit and invulnerability were very cool and better than the PC. Oh, and I should note that one...interesting effect...was that on both the 32X and Jag I'm pretty sure I remember blowing up enemies with the rocket launcher from the opposite sides of walls. Not sure if I'd count that as anything but neutral. The lack of invisibility, Spectres, Spiderdemon and Cyberdemon on the Jag was sad, considering that it should have possessed the capability to show them, but at least the monsters could turn and fight each other. Ah! And the 32X and Jag both had a pretty cool blood effect when Demons bit you. Pixels of blood would splash up onto your face. Didn't look all that impressive, but it was still cool. 3DO. Sigh. It could have been so much better, but they made a valiant effort. I played it for a bit just because, and I have a feeling that an emulator for the PC would negate the sloth and choppiness that one encountered if one did not shrink the screen using the screen size option. In other words, the 3DO version was SLOW, but had a built-in fix which, well, sucked. The graphics were great and possibly close to being on-par with the Jag, maybe midway between the Jag and 32X. And it had invisibility and Spectres, but no Cyberdemon or Spiderdemon. The invis/Spectre effect was the same as SNES, superior to the PC. The levels were identical to the Jag. And the music. Was. Amazing. Seriously. Go to the Doom Depot website and listen to it. Doom 64. Didn't play it as much as I should have, but it was so good! The lighting could have used some improvement and the levels were hard in an annoying kind of way--Doom is kind of about puzzles, but should never have been jacked up to that insane degree. I loved the updated graphics and think that Doom 64 is the quintessential example of what a 64-bit console can do. I also believe the background ambience/quasi-music was wonderful. PSX/Saturn. I was impressed by the fact that these two updated both graphics and sound, with enhanced lighting perhaps close to or just about on-par with the Jag. I like that they had more levels than any other version, the same invis. and Spectre effect as 3D0 and SNES, Doom II enemies and weapons included in Doom I, the new levels and an excellent ambient soundtrack. I mean, seriously, between these two and Doom 64, I haven't heard anything like it. The Saturn falls short because it's choppy and slow at times, but I can't quite recall what its advantage was. I seem to recall it having at least one. At least! Eh. Oh! And all but the SNES gave 2% per armor bonus and health bonus instead of 1%, though there were always half as many of them lying around. But hey, it made more sense and was less annoying to run around and collect them all, huh? I had the GBA version. Played it quite a bit at first, then misplaced my GBA! It's all I played on there, though. Great graphics for a handheld and really in general, although WHY was the blood GREEN? I suppose it's not a huge deal. It had all the same levels as the Jag and then Doom II as a follow-up...I can't remember any more! So in closing...I can't pick a favorite. I like going back and playing the Jag and PSX versions and occasionally seeing stuff in Doom64, and if/when I find my GBA, I WILL PLAY IT! In the meantime, I'm working on getting a hold of Dooms I haven't played yet, and downloading emulators for a more rapid comparison/different Doom experience. Any thoughts on my comprehensive run-down? Sorry for writing you all a novel here, just had some thoughts and wanted to share.