Doom 3: BFG Edition (2012)

Rating: 7/10

Mini review:

This is an interesting Doom game. Obviously it is not the Doom that most people want, but does it accomplish what it sets out to do? Mostly, but it's flawed. It's not one of the better horror games by any means. The visuals and atmosphere are solid, the lore's pretty good. Some good jump scares as well, but enemies constantly spawning either behind me or from closets became pretty tedious. So it's good but I wonder if I'd like this more if it wasn't called Doom.

Full review (I spend about as much time talking about me and my experience with Doom as I do the actual game, oops):

Not that anybody needs context but I want to talk about my Doom fandom. I'm not a boomer shooter fan. I played the first Doom when I was a kid and I'm pretty sure I skipped the entire franchise up until 2016, which I enjoyed a fair bit but wouldn't say I LOVED. Eternal I liked less but still enjoyed. Dark Ages hit me really hard and I absolutely adore that game. But because I skipped so many games and ignored any Doom conversation, I was also behind on lore. I didn't know until way later that he had a bunny. Yes, Doomguy would still smash demons without the death of his bunny (or his family, but let's be honest, a lot of us focus more on the rabbit). I'm a simple man who loves his own bunny so it's hard for me not to relate. So now I play through Doom with this knowledge in my head and it makes me like the games more. I'm even replaying Doom 2016 now through a different lens of being invested in the series because of Dark Ages.

So I watched the trailer for the new Dark Ages DLC and I was in the mood for a Doom I hadn't played. I could have played 64, but I thought I'd give the maligned Doom 3 a shot because I do like horror shooters where you aren't weak. Also, I didn't realize it wasn't actually Doomguy. I thought it was a reimagining of Doom 1 for some reason, though approached from a more claustrophobic, scary angle. I think that's a neat idea. But nah, you're another marine. That's fine.

So then it comes down to, does it work as a horror game? It mostly does, but it doesn't rank high up there for me. The atmosphere and level design is usually good, though sometimes frustrating. They do nail the claustrophobia, and there's always a sense that there's an imminent threat. But that's where the game loses me a bit. There are solid jump scares scattered throughout, but it relies way too heavily on the same formula to the point of tedium. Enemies will often be behind you or spawn from a closet (sometimes behind you). I get it, they want you to feel like there are threats everywhere, but it got a little boring and annoying.

And outside of some slightly off-kilter weapon balancing (the shotgun feels like crap, which is super disappointing given how many hallways you're in), those are my only real complaints. It's a pretty old game at this point but the visuals hold up. It's mostly pleasant, with some interesting lore.

This remains an interesting detour for the series, even if I'm glad they didn't stay on this path. It's worth trying out. But I will always wonder how much this being a Doom game impacted my enjoyment. Had this been unrelated, would I like it more? I don't know. Maybe a little but I think a 7/10 is a completely respectable rating.

This title is a remastered and expanded collection that compiles Doom 3, its expansion Resurrection of Evil, a brand-new mini-campaign titled The Lost Mission, and the original Doom and Doom II in one package. Developed by id Software and published by Bethesda, it was designed to reintroduce Doom 3 to a new generation of players while modernizing some of its systems for contemporary hardware. The result is a technically smoother experience that still retains much of the claustrophobic tension and atmospheric horror that defined the 2004 release.

Visually, this version improves lighting, texture sharpness, and performance, with better compatibility for newer PCs and even 3D display support. The inclusion of checkpoints, widescreen support, and native gamepad controls makes it more approachable and console-friendly. The infamous flashlight mechanic, once requiring people to switch between weapon and light, was revised so that the flashlight can now be used alongside weapons. This adjustment makes the gameplay flow more naturally but also changes the tone, reducing the feeling of vulnerability that gave the original such a unique sense of dread.

From a content perspective, the package offers a lot of value. The Lost Mission provides several new levels, and the addition of the classic Doom titles creates a compact timeline of the franchise’s evolution. For newcomers, it’s an excellent way to explore Doom’s legacy from its early pixelated roots to its mid-2000s experiment with survival horror. For returning fans, however, the changes might feel mixed. The flashlight tweak, softer lighting, and more generous ammo placement make the experience easier and less suspenseful. The PC version also removes some of the original’s mod and multiplayer features, which disappointed parts of the community.

While this version isn’t a radical overhaul, it does provide a polished and stable version of original version that runs flawlessly on modern systems. The atmosphere, monster designs, and sound effects still create a thick, eerie tension that few shooters replicate today. Yet, by the standards at the time, the linear level design and repetitive enemy encounters were already showing their age. Overall, this game is a worthwhile purchase for those who want a convenient, optimized way to experience Doom 3 and its companions. It stands as a solid, if somewhat softened, reminder of id Software’s attempt to blend action and horror within the Doom universe.