Duke Nukem Forever

 PC
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1276 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 488 out of 1276
  2. Mixed: 358 out of 1276
  3. Negative: 430 out of 1276
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  1. RedDog
    Jun 15, 2011
    2
    I so wanted to like this game. We need new, innovative and daring FPSs - in short we need Duke. So what went wrong? Well this game feels like the rag bag of development that it is. Some levels are ok, not great, but ok. Most levels are terrible. The graphics are very dated - but it isn't just the graphics, the whole feel of the game.is clunky. The level design is boring and extremelyI so wanted to like this game. We need new, innovative and daring FPSs - in short we need Duke. So what went wrong? Well this game feels like the rag bag of development that it is. Some levels are ok, not great, but ok. Most levels are terrible. The graphics are very dated - but it isn't just the graphics, the whole feel of the game.is clunky. The level design is boring and extremely linear. The one liners are funny for the most part but they can't rescue this slow, ploddy game. Long boring driving sections - I love driving sections in most games but this just doesn't work. The vehicles feel like they are slowing you down more than helping. Out of fuel again? What's that - three times? It plods and it plods.

    Really annoying are the many times when a game character blocks your path by standing in the middle of a wide corridor. Look, I could drive a bus through that gap but Duke has his nose against the invisible wall and the game is not letting me past until I've watched a tedious video on a TV or listened to some dialogue. I want to scream "You're Duke - shove that guy out of your way." It isn't happening. This feels really pointlessly irritating when you find a kid sitting on your throne who refuses to move unless you take his photo. Yep that's right - Duke has to run around after some kid before being allowed to proceed. If that doesn't ruin the immersion nothing will. Bad, bad, bad idea - but it's just one example. I had plenty to choose from.

    I have waited for this for years. I played, and loved Duke 3D all those years ago. I wanted this to be great but I'm not letting that blind me to a truly horrible gaming experience. This is my opinion of course - but I have stated clear reasons above why this game is bad. And it really is bad. Oh God it's bad. How ever much of a fan you are stop and think. Or at least stop and wait until this hits the bargain bin - you won't have to wait long.    … Expand
  2. Mandala
    Jun 21, 2011
    3
    Been on the 3dR forums since '97, have the magazine in which DNF was revealed, still say that Duke3d is the greatest FPS ever made... but DNF is total crud. Seriously, the only reason to play it is just to see for yourself the abomination that it is. This is a nearly heart-breaking Duke Nukem catastrophe, I wish I could go back in time 14 years and tell myself to not wait for DNF and notBeen on the 3dR forums since '97, have the magazine in which DNF was revealed, still say that Duke3d is the greatest FPS ever made... but DNF is total crud. Seriously, the only reason to play it is just to see for yourself the abomination that it is. This is a nearly heart-breaking Duke Nukem catastrophe, I wish I could go back in time 14 years and tell myself to not wait for DNF and not waste attention on it because it's going to blow to the fullest possible extent. The only problem with that, though, is that I'd never believe my future self, as I had so much confidence in 3dR... and how could I not? Considering they made Duke3d, as well as releasing dozens of fantastic smaller games prior? How the mighty have fallen, and how greatly sad it is

    Be warned, there is absolutely nothing old school about this game, not in the least, and especially nothing resembling Doom or Duke3d style shooting. This game is the exact opposite of Old School. DNF is slow moving, with slow movement speed, limited sprint ability, few enemies with combat that is spaced far apart, 2-weapon carry-limit with universal ammo crates, regenerating health, quicktime events, and wtih completely linear & boring level design.

    Anybody who dares try to trick you into buying this game by suggesting it is old school in even the slightest manner is lying to you through their teeth or simply has convinced themselves of a lie to rationalize the 14 years they've wasted waiting for this game. DNF is no more old-school than it is a space-pony training RPG that takes place on Mt Olympus.    … Expand
  3. duffeknol
    Oct 27, 2011
    1
    Revised review. Even the fact that it's Duke can't save this game. This piece of history has been rendered worthless. But still, it's a piece of history. That's worth one point.
  4. Fuz
    Jun 15, 2011
    3
    Terrible.
    This is not Duke Nukem, it's a childish parody of it.
    The graphics are terrible, frequent and extremely slow loading times are unacceptable (especially with this graphics), the 2-weapon system is annoying, the maps are just small corridors, the FOV is an abomination, gunfights are boring, driving sections are annoying. The original Duke Nukem was a great game, and doesn't deserve    Terrible.
    This is not Duke Nukem, it's a childish parody of it.
    The graphics are terrible, frequent and extremely slow loading times are unacceptable (especially with this graphics), the 2-weapon system is annoying, the maps are just small corridors, the FOV is an abomination, gunfights are boring, driving sections are annoying.
    The original Duke Nukem was a great game, and doesn't deserve a sequel so bad.    … Expand
  5. gromit
    Jun 14, 2011
    3
    This game was so disappointing, The original Duke Nukem was so much fun as it was original, humorous and to top it off was a great fun game to play. This thing fails on so many levels it is hard to know where to begin, The graphics are poor but that can be excused as you don't buy this game for the graphics. The game is incredibly linear, The humor dated and really just identical from theThis game was so disappointing, The original Duke Nukem was so much fun as it was original, humorous and to top it off was a great fun game to play. This thing fails on so many levels it is hard to know where to begin, The graphics are poor but that can be excused as you don't buy this game for the graphics. The game is incredibly linear, The humor dated and really just identical from the previous game 14 years ago, hell you don't even get to use any weapons till you have stumbled around in incredibly boring story line for 20-30 mins, To top it off the controls just seem clunky. Perhaps this is one sequel that really would have been better off left unmade.… Expand
  6. Ggdograa
    Jun 14, 2011
    4
    A definite letdown. The game feels unfinished and most of the gameplay mechanics are just horribly dated. It doesn't seem worth the wait but the main problem is that it just feels out of place now. If you're after an example of old school gaming done right then go and play something like Bulletstorm, but as it is, this game just doesn't hold it's own and as a standalone title, it'sA definite letdown. The game feels unfinished and most of the gameplay mechanics are just horribly dated. It doesn't seem worth the wait but the main problem is that it just feels out of place now. If you're after an example of old school gaming done right then go and play something like Bulletstorm, but as it is, this game just doesn't hold it's own and as a standalone title, it's borderline rubbish.… Expand
  7. PC-Gamer-Fan
    Jun 14, 2011
    0
    One of the worse games ever made on any platform. It has so many issues/problems & is certainly not even close to being a full price game or acceptable 2011 game.

    1: Game is not even finished its an alpha version at best. 2: Gfx are very dated/bland/boring/horrible looking. Textures are missing/incomplete or just blank colours. 3: Gameplay is linear/boring/uninteresting. 4: Art    One of the worse games ever made on any platform. It has so many issues/problems & is certainly not even close to being a full price game or acceptable 2011 game.

    1: Game is not even finished its an alpha version at best.
    2: Gfx are very dated/bland/boring/horrible looking. Textures are missing/incomplete or just blank colours.
    3: Gameplay is linear/boring/uninteresting.
    4: Art design is very very lacking.
    5: Humour & game content are in places quite offensive this is not a game for children/teens as it contains sexist & pornographic humour I do not feel belongs in a computer game at all.

    This game feels to me like a highly cynical cash grab to recover some of the lengthy development budget wasted (boy was it wasted here!). After so long you would reasonably expect something which at least matches Duke Nukem 3D/Manhattan Project well this manages to be vastly inferior to both of them & you have to wonder why this is considered to be a full price game when it would have looked & played poorly 10 years ago!

    Gamer beware this truly is one of the worse games ever made & without the Duke Nukem name would be a budget price at launch & is quite rightly getting a lot of negative reviews.    … Expand
  8. re-critic
    Jun 14, 2011
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 1.advantage: it's Duke Nukem Hero! DefectS: everything else. horrible graphics, dull gameplay, unfunny humor, absolutely not interesting multiplayer, missing physics, awkward controls… Expand
  9. Talos84
    Jun 14, 2011
    2
    roughly 14 years....really sad. i expected so much more. i should have known it the demo was really what it was going to be like. too bad Duke had to go down this way.
  10. mfriis
    Jun 14, 2011
    1
    Duke Nukem Forever is a collection of minigames with short passages of regular FPS gaming. Even getting the game started takes 45 painfilled minutes while Duke admires himself, posters and signs autographs.

    It's a bad game, don't buy it.
  11. GolovA
    Aug 29, 2016
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. FAIL.

    When 3D games started coming out, there was this cereal company which as a promotion made this ridiculous looking tiny 3D game, where you run around collecting vitamins, shooting aliens with green bubbles, and win a box of cereal after completing this 15 minute game. It cam free with the purchase of the cereal for a limited time.
    Duke Nuke Forever feels like that game.

    In reply to people who say that nothing groundbreaking should be expected from this title, i'll say right away - i wasn't. I wasn't expecting a game revolution. I was however hoping ("hoping" underlined) for a solid fun and dynamic shooter with good level design and silly remarks from the Duke.
    I did not get what i was hoping for.

    Opening Scene - i fight a badass boss with a weapon that feels like a toy water gun, although in the game it's a double-barreled rocket launcher or whatever.
    Graphics are a true pain to look at - even with post-effects disabled, they are neither fully cartoony (thinking of Serious Sam), nor realistic (thinking F.E.A.R.). My poor eyes begged for mercy - and i did try many things, including editing the shaders... Lost cause.
    Level and Overall Presentation Design is pretty much a disaster - start game by urinating. Ok. Interesting choice. 5 minutes into the game - kill baddass boss. Amm. Ok. 15 to 45 minutes - get small and ride on a remotely controlled car, which keeps turning over. Keep dying in frustration in futile attempts to find the next exit. And this lasts for half an hour? FAIL!
    Dialogue and Voice acting - ok at the very most. Duke seems to be the same Duke, which is the only good thing in this disaster of an attempt for a sequel. But the dialogues with others, the two girls blowing Duke off while he is playing video games, etc. - that is just superficial, heavy-handed, and finally retarded.
    Weapons and physics - none-existent: weapons don't feel like weapons, killing monsters feels less real than shooting sprites in the original Doom! Damn son!

    Goodbye Forever Duke Nukem.    … Expand
  12. Sirik_Matak
    Sep 8, 2014
    3
    It stopped half-way between being an somewhat old-school shooter and being modern military peek-a-boo. It resulted in a spectacular failure.

    Full of annoying fillers where we yawn bored as **** The game doesn't start immediately as it should and before we get to the actual shooting we waste - like - about 2 hours walking around and throwing statues that kill in one hit due to the broken    It stopped half-way between being an somewhat old-school shooter and being modern military peek-a-boo. It resulted in a spectacular failure.

    Full of annoying fillers where we yawn bored as **** The game doesn't start immediately as it should and before we get to the actual shooting we waste - like - about 2 hours walking around and throwing statues that kill in one hit due to the broken physics?
    Levels are closed, there're no real pick-ups, health is regenerating, we're often being closed in a small area and told to wait here for 5 or more minutes killing trash by a peek-a-boo tactic.
    You can carry 2 weapons max. 2. I mean - what the actual F?
    The game has its moments, some boss fights are pretty good and weapons do feel nice.

    But it misses what Duke Nukem was about entirely. This game has identity problems, since it's half-way a call of turd game, with occasional old-school features on a top.    … Expand
  13. jimbobslimbob
    Nov 24, 2014
    1
    Waste of money. The game is short, boring and generally speaking not very enjoyable. Couple this with a level that involves jumping puzzles and you have a contender for the worst game ever made. It captures nothing of what made Duke Nukem 3D so enjoyable - and is woefully insuperior to the old game in almost every aspect.

    Did you like Duke Nukem 3D? If so, don't buy this, just play Duke    Waste of money. The game is short, boring and generally speaking not very enjoyable. Couple this with a level that involves jumping puzzles and you have a contender for the worst game ever made. It captures nothing of what made Duke Nukem 3D so enjoyable - and is woefully insuperior to the old game in almost every aspect.

    Did you like Duke Nukem 3D? If so, don't buy this, just play Duke 3D instead.

    Jimbo Rating: 1/10    … Expand
  14. Signas501
    Mar 22, 2015
    3
    Duke Nukem Forever and its 15 year development cycle sets the player off after Duke plays a video game, playing the tournament from where the previous game ended. Duke Nukem is still being praised, until he finds out that aliens have began attacking, taking earths woman and impregnating them for their own offspring. Duke sets out on a quest to take down the alien mother ship and save earthDuke Nukem Forever and its 15 year development cycle sets the player off after Duke plays a video game, playing the tournament from where the previous game ended. Duke Nukem is still being praised, until he finds out that aliens have began attacking, taking earths woman and impregnating them for their own offspring. Duke sets out on a quest to take down the alien mother ship and save earth woman, also being accompanied by many easter eggs, such as dead space engineer, and halo armor… Expand
  15. Liliana
    May 23, 2016
    2
    I love the characters and places. But I hate the part Duke get very tiny. I hate the part where Duke control remote toy car. Stupid. and punching part. bad.
  16. Detraxxx
    Mar 23, 2016
    3
    Quite disappointing game and I must say it was not fun at all... The graphics are outdated and the level design is poor. Driving vehicles is very boring, missions are boring...
  17. Bottlecaps
    Apr 26, 2019
    3
    Duke nukem forever is an infamous game to say the least , being stuck in development hell for years only to feel rushed out the door some how. i'm finally playing it for my self to see how bad of a game it actually is.

    Story/characters: there isn't much of one really aliens come and attack and YOU gotta kill them while also screwing around . this is fine in a game like this , its a    Duke nukem forever is an infamous game to say the least , being stuck in development hell for years only to feel rushed out the door some how. i'm finally playing it for my self to see how bad of a game it actually is.

    Story/characters: there isn't much of one really aliens come and attack and YOU gotta kill them while also screwing around . this is fine in a game like this , its a classic style fps game the game play should take center stage so i'm ok with a non existent story, it dose do its best to offend you especially in the hive level. duke himself is a parody of the big macho man stereotype you would see in 80s action movies . but duke nukem feels more like a pro wrestler personality adding to the already awful story this makes kinda hilarious in a so bad its good kinda way
    story: 3/10

    world building: its always a good idea to inject your game with a healthy bit of lore but this game really doesn't care about that stuff and like i said before its an action game and it doesn't really need it . besides weapon types and enemy types there isn't much lore to be found
    world building: 1/10

    Graphics: graphics are really ugly and plastic in this game it makes some of the guns looks like kids toys and that really takes away from the whole super bad ass feel you should have as duke . every thing looks grainy and ugly and a game made in 2011 should not look this bad . animations are stiff are stiff and awkward . lighting is terrible to the point where the awful nigh vision effect is needed in places where it shouldn't be needed. there is no style to this game everything looks flat and with a a character like duke who has a lot of personality the game should have a style that reflects that . although over all iv seen worst looking games and it least ran at 60 fps for me.
    Graphics:3/10

    Game play: the first person shooter genre has always been a fun one to me and for the most part even awful fps games still have a tendency to be fun. duke nukem is fun if you take it with a grain of salt . the shooting feels good , even if the guns look like plastic . i found my self useing the shotgun the most as it felt the best to use unless it was a boss and i needed a rocket launcher . this game also has some interesting physics puzzles and that was kinda refreshing to see some thought go into some where in this game . the driving parts are meh at best and control like a rock. but the game play it self is adequate
    Gameplay: 5/10

    sound design: sound design i think is extremely important to fps games. gun sounds in games have a sort of fandom and i always liked seeing different portrayals of guns in games . dukes gun sounds are weird , the shot gun sounds normal nothing to special , the m1911 sounds powerful but i really think a deagle would have been a better choice . the machine gun sounds like a toy as well as looks like a toy. dukes "hurh" sound effect got on my nerves with how repetitive it is and just sounds awkward to begin with. the best part of the sound in this game was the main menu music
    sound design: 3/10

    3+1+3+5+3=15
    15/5 = 3
    overall i give duke nukem forever a 3/10    … Expand
  18. IceCobra
    Jun 18, 2013
    2
    A terrible game, Ive never really seen much to go by in the duke nukem franchise but this game just takes the piss. The story is just bad, the game play is boring the missions are boring, the humor is.....well is it even supposed to be funny. The only reason I gave this game a score higher than 0 was that the little bits added in were actually not bad and take me back to the old days ofA terrible game, Ive never really seen much to go by in the duke nukem franchise but this game just takes the piss. The story is just bad, the game play is boring the missions are boring, the humor is.....well is it even supposed to be funny. The only reason I gave this game a score higher than 0 was that the little bits added in were actually not bad and take me back to the old days of gaming still not enough to make me want to waste my time with this crap though… Expand
  19. ave
    Feb 11, 2015
    0
    I played Duke Nukem 3D years ago and it was a really great shooter.

    This sequel features decent-to-good level design, and a nice set of enemies to fight. The gameplay is more modern since you cannot carry all weapons and your health refills along time. One disappointing thing comes with the relative low efficiency of some weapons you imagined more potent (relative to the ego of    I played Duke Nukem 3D years ago and it was a really great shooter.

    This sequel features decent-to-good level design, and a nice set of enemies to fight.

    The gameplay is more modern since you cannot carry all weapons and your health refills along time.

    One disappointing thing comes with the relative low efficiency of some weapons you imagined more potent (relative to the ego of the character), namely the revolver and the shotgun. So you end up gunning down aliens mostly with the triple cannon machinegun.

    The story is purely decorative and the characters flat as a carpet. Half of the time the soldiers are coward and stupid, but that does not make Duke intelligent or brave.

    It could have been a decent shooter but the game is blatantly sexist. Of course it comes with the character, but as far as I remember, all the female characters are either : horny at the mere sight of the Duke, blowjob providers, incapable of saving themselves, sex workers, alien surrogate mothers begging you to shoot them. I don't recall any female soldiers, scientists or civilians worth noticing. The developers pushed the envelope up to the following point : aliens are only abducting women, so you have to save them!

    Is there an irony here? Maybe aliens are in fact abducting women to protect from the Duke? That would have been a hell of a twist!

    So if you're confortable with that level of sexism, Duke Nukem Forever deserved a 6/7 as a shooter. Otherwise it's preferable to ignore it.    … Expand
  20. DeusXCom
    Aug 5, 2014
    4
    How could this happen? Duke, what have you done to us? It's not a terrible game, I played through it an meh, it was playable, but it should have never happened in the first place. I understand the hell of a development cycle this game must have gone through over the years, so I guess it's understandable, but it's a pity. Duke Nukem 3D was one of the best, if not THE best FPS ever and DukeHow could this happen? Duke, what have you done to us? It's not a terrible game, I played through it an meh, it was playable, but it should have never happened in the first place. I understand the hell of a development cycle this game must have gone through over the years, so I guess it's understandable, but it's a pity. Duke Nukem 3D was one of the best, if not THE best FPS ever and Duke deserved more. This was quite embarrassing, 4/10… Expand
  21. Beak
    Jul 4, 2011
    3
    I've been watching for this game since 1998 when the first trailer came out, loved Duke3d which I replayed over and over and still play from time to time even now.

    When I finished DNF my first thought was "is that it", Gearbox promised around 20+ hours of gameplay when they first took over, many will finish this in 9 to 10 hours. Took me 12 but I do tend to dawdle around. Graphics    I've been watching for this game since 1998 when the first trailer came out, loved Duke3d which I replayed over and over and still play from time to time even now.

    When I finished DNF my first thought was "is that it", Gearbox promised around 20+ hours of gameplay when they first took over, many will finish this in 9 to 10 hours. Took me 12 but I do tend to dawdle around.

    Graphics are basic but they will play on a low end system.
    gameplay is basic but could be fun if your new to FPS shooters.

    My main gripes are,
    Load times every few minutes. Most FPS games at least allow you to finish a level before the load screen.

    "2 weapon limit, makes the freeze gun and shrink ray pointless since you have to keep hold of weapons that are reliable.

    I love t1ts as much as the next man but this game is supposed to be an 18 not a 12 cert for wanking prepubesants. Is this what Duke has been lowered to: searching for **** and f***ng pocorn. ffs

    no story

    boring

    I couldn't wait to get Bioshock 2 loaded back up which , thankfully, I had put on hold to play DNF. At least I had a good proper fps game to look forward to.

    As i mentioned at the start, Duke3d got huge play time, DNF will never be played again and I can;'t even sell the sh1t on because of steam account.

    If I read one more post of someone saying " ooh arn't Gearbox so ace for taking up the mantle and actually getting Duke out here" I think i'll scream. No they are not great they are a bunch of greedy barstewards who saw a quick buck from a huge character that millions of devoted fans have been awaiting for years and years, **** ot not they were always going to make a shed load.

    Reminds me of the Sex Pistols...."ever felt you've been had". The Great Video Game Swindle"    … Expand
  22. Colinthatguy
    Apr 30, 2015
    4
    I really wanted Duke Nukem But this game is a piece of **** don't **** buy this **** game this really ruined the Duke franchise I don't know who to blame 3D realms Piranha Games or Gearbox Software all really good companies I don't know who **** up Duke but I hope some one see's the potential of duke nukem and makes a good game thanks for reading
  23. LordOFlibertY
    Jul 6, 2011
    0
    +10 years in the making and the only thing the Developers think of doing are sexual and stereotypical portrayals of women. It feels like like thats the only thing the Developers really focused on to be honest. Since this game got a pretty big following I'm assuming the phrase 'sex sells' is in work here. Stay away from this game.
  24. Xaromir
    Jul 31, 2011
    0
    Basically there is nothing good in this game. Yes, you start it and will love it; it's the duke! After about 15 minutes most normal people will find their dreams and expectations shattered. Nothing can live up to almost 1 1/2 Decades of hype and expectations building up, but all i wanted was a good contemporary shooter, and it failed to deliver. The graphics are medieval, and it stillBasically there is nothing good in this game. Yes, you start it and will love it; it's the duke! After about 15 minutes most normal people will find their dreams and expectations shattered. Nothing can live up to almost 1 1/2 Decades of hype and expectations building up, but all i wanted was a good contemporary shooter, and it failed to deliver. The graphics are medieval, and it still manages to have frame rate drops on a modern system. The story is flat, boring, humorless and plain simple stupid. It basically brings nothing new to the table, nothing that hasn't been seen before; there is no shame in "borrowing" ideas, the best also do it, but doing it badly is a huge nono, and that's basically everything that was done here, old bad ideas made worse and mushed into the rough shape of a game. Just as this review it got tons of useless filler. Did i mention it looks medieval? The only good thing is the dukes voice. Get Manhatten Project instead if you want some duke, it just costs a fraction of DNF, it's much more fun, and lasts a lot longer.… Expand
  25. RezzaDee
    Jun 20, 2011
    0
    Wow I can't believe they released this, oh well the companies broke now so the risk didn't pay off, this game is dull boring and lifeless. The graphics are total garbage, (but graphics don't make a game wahhh wahhhh) YES they do. If the graphics are good and the gameplay is also good then the game can attract followers and stand on it's own two legs without needing people to troll onWow I can't believe they released this, oh well the companies broke now so the risk didn't pay off, this game is dull boring and lifeless. The graphics are total garbage, (but graphics don't make a game wahhh wahhhh) YES they do. If the graphics are good and the gameplay is also good then the game can attract followers and stand on it's own two legs without needing people to troll on either side of the fence. If the gameplay and graphics were good then I would say like or leave. But it's total garbage, and so are all the other versions of duke on the ds, on xbla on psn and all the others. Yes maybe 16 years ago I laughed when a toilet could flush but let me drill that to you again.....16 YEARS AGO! The game was a flop when I seen tHe first trailer for it about 4 years ago, then they thought should we or shouldn't we release this game, well no is the answer. If this cost £1million pounds to make I would rather have wasted my money on 1million lottery tickets!… Expand
  26. janbirsa
    Jun 18, 2011
    0
    Its rushed, crappy game of 2011. They abused the title and character to make some quick money and **** us off with crappy game. If they polished it and released maybe 5+ years ago, it would have been a decent game, but as of now its just rubbish. Totally not 2011 standards.
  27. ivanasw
    Jun 16, 2011
    1
    Well, I was disappointed. 14 years in development and I get boring levels, poor AI, dated graphics (looks like its from 2002 or so) and nothing innovative... Even Duke's jokes are already heard and seen somewhere. I was shocked by clumsy NPC animations and lifeless surroundings. They needed more time I guess to finish this game. Score 2.0
  28. LuckilyCursed
    Jun 15, 2011
    1
    I wanted this game to be good, like struggling through the desert, dying from dehydration. And then this idiot comes and offers me a beer.
    Starting with the gameplay, I keep getting the sense that the game is trying to evoke the feel of REALLY old school games, I think we may be beyond retro with this. The only problem is I recall retro games having more than just two enemies at a time,    I wanted this game to be good, like struggling through the desert, dying from dehydration. And then this idiot comes and offers me a beer.
    Starting with the gameplay, I keep getting the sense that the game is trying to evoke the feel of REALLY old school games, I think we may be beyond retro with this. The only problem is I recall retro games having more than just two enemies at a time, various types of enemies, all gunning for me, with health pickups and plenty o' guns. Instead, no, the most baddies I've seen at once are three, there's hardly ever a difference, you have regenerative health if you go and hide like a wuss behind a wall, and Duke is so manly he can now only heft two weapons-wait what?
    Graphics? Passable, I guess, I'm not one to pay too much attention, but at the same time I kept noticing how bland and midgrade they were.
    The humor? We've heard these jokes before... YEARS before, and these are the type of jokes that never age well. Here's one: You have to go with this rookie soldier named Jenkins, yes you can tell where this is going. Within the minute he gets turned into paste, and Duke declares, "Dammit Leroy." You can practically hear the character on the stand-up stage waving desperately for a guy on drums to do a roll on snare.
    Which comes from the voice acting itself. Every single character sounds as much an idiot as the folks who thought up their lines. Sure a couple of the soldiers early in the game bounced insults off each other pretty well, but you never get that experience again. Apparently all the females understood just how much they were doing their gender a disservice and aimed to make every character they voiced as annoying or unsexy as possible, and I'm sorry, hearing the balls in a woman's voice is unwanted.
    Thankfully, Duke's original voice actor reprises the role. Unfortunately, he's aged more than the character, what once were nicely paced quips and well delivered lines, now plod along at a slower pace, leaving a much more dimwitted mind behind, leaving every spoken line just hanging out there like an older person wearing less clothing.
    In the end, I found myself asking, "Why am I playing this? There's far more fun games all around me."
    It's nice that Gearbox wanted to credit every person who worked on this game within the last decade or so, that way we have a nice shopping list of people to blame for this letdown and, what could be called, cashgrab. You might argue against that, but pray tell, could there have been plenty of people that noticed their game was utter garbage before it left to shelves?    … Expand
  29. MaDaStar
    Jun 16, 2011
    2
    After hearing that Duke Nukem Forever was actually going to be released, I was eager to play it. I did however have low expectations. After playing Bulletstorm earlier this year, I did have hope for the retro-style game that could have been. What I was expecting was not stop battles with loads of alien enemies swarming the screen with barely a breather in between. I was also expecting aAfter hearing that Duke Nukem Forever was actually going to be released, I was eager to play it. I did however have low expectations. After playing Bulletstorm earlier this year, I did have hope for the retro-style game that could have been. What I was expecting was not stop battles with loads of alien enemies swarming the screen with barely a breather in between. I was also expecting a game with quality visuals and some raunchy, and current topical humour. None of these are in the game. It's a boring, dull looking mess. The weapons (except for the shotgun) are stale. The platform jumping puzzles are just annoying, as are the driving sections where it feels like you are being forced to take a tour of the dated graphics. This can't be blamed on the game engine. While the UT3 graphics engine is getting old, by current standards, there have been some recent and good looking games that have utilized it much better than this. FYI, I am an older guy. I am one of many that remembers playing Duke 3D when it was first released and loving the competition it gave to Doom II. I played that campaign at least 4 times, and spent many nights with friends playing the multi-player part as well. The Duke Nukem here is just a pathetic goon, not a renegade hero. The voice acting is weak as well. Little QA was done to this game. I once got trapped by an invisible wall which means that I got to a place in the map that I wasn't supposed to have access. It would be easy to forgive a few of the issues, that I personally don't like, but there are so many bad things about Duke Nukem Forever that they by far outweigh the very few good parts of the game.… Expand
  30. AegisEin
    Jun 16, 2011
    1
    Play Duke 3D and pretend it was just released. You'll have a much better time than with this abysmal garbage. For one, despite enjoying D3D immensely, and enjoying racy humor, DNF misses the mark and biffs the portrayal of the famous egotist into an unlikable moron who's unpleasant to play. I'll leave aside all the details of this distortion, or the off-note trivialization of rape, andPlay Duke 3D and pretend it was just released. You'll have a much better time than with this abysmal garbage. For one, despite enjoying D3D immensely, and enjoying racy humor, DNF misses the mark and biffs the portrayal of the famous egotist into an unlikable moron who's unpleasant to play. I'll leave aside all the details of this distortion, or the off-note trivialization of rape, and attribute it to 3DRealms being immersed in it for 12 years and losing sight of reality. Sadly, the gameplay fares no better. The game delights in mocking successful FPS titles that have risen since production began, including Halo and the entire Half-Life series so far, while confusedly grabbing elements from them. Recharging health? Check (have fun with Duke regaining "ego" by cowering around a corner). 2 weapon carry limit? Check, which you'll hate because almost all of the weapons feel unsatisfying. Awkward, 90s era platforming? Check. Linear corridor levels, shunting you down the only path by closing off others with random debris, a la CoD? Check! The game garbles all sorts of elements together from its successful cousins but manages to miss the elements of each of those games that made them fun.

    While the loads aren't as awful as they apparently are on consoles, they're still pretty stupid, especially for sections where by the start of the next level, you'll have loaded twice for a three minute section of non-combat navigating. Graphics aren't awful, but they aren't very good, and everything has had obnoxious glow slapped all over it. The vehicle sections are awful, whereas the parts forced in between one of the vehicle sections turn out to be the best part of the game. It's a very short title, but you probably won't want to replay. I haven't tried the multiplayer much, but on brief trial it seems like renting a 1998 N64 knockoff of a popular game.

    These 12 years would have been better spent on anything else.    … Expand
  31. jaywillno
    Jun 19, 2011
    0
    should have been a 0 this game is nothing but hype, total trash with a name put on the box. the controls are horrid game play were is it? was going to buy it and a very good friend of mine called and said come over i got the game, after playing this pile of crap boy was i glade he got it before me the levels are so bad i had to watch him for a while before we uninstalled it. i don'tshould have been a 0 this game is nothing but hype, total trash with a name put on the box. the controls are horrid game play were is it? was going to buy it and a very good friend of mine called and said come over i got the game, after playing this pile of crap boy was i glade he got it before me the levels are so bad i had to watch him for a while before we uninstalled it. i don't care if gearbox only been working on this game for 2 years if that is even true. the graphics are so bad in this so called game i999 i wished i was back in, and last but not least, this game stinks so bad i can smell the poo in the game, the mini games are just plane dumb, the so called humor is childish and overrated, well in the end the friend and split the cost lol what are friends for. bottom line save your money it will be 9.99 one day.… Expand
  32. karmasleeper
    Jun 24, 2011
    3
    The problem with Duke Nukem Forever has less to do with the fact that it feels like a title from over ten years ago and more to do with the fact that it is full of poor design decisions, shoddy game mechanics, and tedious, unnecessary puzzles to pad the length of the game. Overall, the game suffers from a lack of suspense and challenge as it holds your hand and directs your gaze the wholeThe problem with Duke Nukem Forever has less to do with the fact that it feels like a title from over ten years ago and more to do with the fact that it is full of poor design decisions, shoddy game mechanics, and tedious, unnecessary puzzles to pad the length of the game. Overall, the game suffers from a lack of suspense and challenge as it holds your hand and directs your gaze the whole way through like a messed up tour. In terms of design, a couple things had me scratching my head. First, you can only carry two weapons at once rather than an arsenal of weapons. Instead of worrying about what two weapons you should take with you, the game litters areas with weapons for you ahead of mostly scripted events where you will need them. This may sound like a plus to some people, but a perhaps unintended consequence of this is a lack of freedom for the player in how to approach certain areas. Rather than forging a play style around a favored group of weapons or using certain weapons for certain enemies, the game essentially directs the player when to use what weapon for the given situation. In fact, most every enemy encounter amounts to Duke entering an area, waves of enemies entering from one point, and defeating wave after wave until some new scripted event occurs to allow the player to progress into the next area. Meanwhile, the game leaves plenty of weapons perfectly suited for the situation lying around for you to pick up at your leisure. Think of them as turret sections without the turret (and there are plenty of turret sections, too believe me). Even on hard, this presents absolutely no challenge - and most importantly, no fun. Another interesting decision was regenerating health. Your health meter, labeled "Ego," will regenerate after a few brief seconds (even on hard) often necessitating a quick duck into cover. It's ironic a meter labeled ego recharges through players avoiding conflict. Perhaps it should have been labeled "Cowardice" or "Anxiety." But once again, this sucks all the challenge out of the game since, even during what would otherwise be tense firefights, the health meter recharges almost instantly. One feature related to ego bar I did appreciate was that interacting with certain objects in the game world grants permanent bonuses to your maximum health. For example, lifting weights or admiring Duke's reflection will raise his maximum health bar a couple of points. A neat touch but that's all really. Level design is simply poor. It's cramped, and even the outdoor areas funnel you along a fixed path. There's a lot of smoke and mirrors going on with the engine to help mask lazy design and muddy textures. Puzzles abound and more often than not present players with tedious, uninteresting tasks. One example is toward the beginning of the game where Duke encounters a locked gate. The button will not work since it has no power. He has to climb a small trailer, jump in through a window, then turn a generator on. Once back at the gate, the player presses the button only to see the gate has jammed and is now glowing (as all objects do just in case you didn't know you could interact with it) to let the player know he can now mash space to force it open. Why didn't we just do that in the first place? I'd like to think that if this game came out ten years ago, it still would've been criticized as the overly scripted, restrictive, and uninteresting experience it is. The game doesn't feel completely dated, it feels like it's lacking a crucial element - fun. This game is for the die hards - the people who preordered this game twelve years ago and still have their receipts. Only obnoxiously loyal fans of Duke Nukem will be able to find this game entertaining. For the rest of us, it's better to just to move on.… Expand
  33. KillerCarroot
    Dec 10, 2011
    4
    I'm a simple gamer. A good game does not depend upon high end graphics or cutting edge tech... if just has to be fun! When it came to Duke Nukem Forever, although I never played the original, I so wanted to like this game. I don't know what it is about this game... but it fell SOOOO flat with me. I find it hard to find anything positive to say about it. I love FPS and even the worstI'm a simple gamer. A good game does not depend upon high end graphics or cutting edge tech... if just has to be fun! When it came to Duke Nukem Forever, although I never played the original, I so wanted to like this game. I don't know what it is about this game... but it fell SOOOO flat with me. I find it hard to find anything positive to say about it. I love FPS and even the worst FPS I will at least play all the way through. However with Duke Nukem, the moment I encountered the least amount of difficulty, I had no problem deleting the game off of my hard drive (and if this was part of the game, you could have expected Duke to make some sexual crack about his drive always being hard). Although the graphics themselves are not "bad" they feel very outdated in the way they unfold. I kept having to remind myself that the game was released in 2011 and not 2006. The NPC are nothing more than poorly scripted mannequins that don't even turn to speak to you. The puns, jokes, and boobs come straight out of the 6th grade boys bathroom (and even then lacking the sophistication of most 6th grade boys). I had read the bad reviews, but dismissed most of them as people with over expectations. Having never played the original, I was sure that people were just trying to make it what it WAS not what it is today. I kinda felt sorry for all the bad press the game had taken. Less than 2 months after its release I picked it up $9 in the bargain bin and thought that it would be good for at least a laugh... alas the reviews were right, and I still over paid.… Expand
  34. buddyconnor331
    Jan 23, 2012
    1
    I really wanted to like this game really did but it was so bad. The jokes are mainly bad and graphics look like puke, weird to think same engine that did bioshock unreal 2.5. game play just sucks not even like duke nukem 3d which was great im not even going to give out multiple scores don't buy it you will waste you money and time.
  35. bdceigal
    Jul 2, 2011
    3
    Don't waste your money, this game is seriously outdated, the game play is stodgy, the graphics are sub par, the maps are extremely boring, this game might have been cool if it was released 8 years ago, definitely a major step back compared to the original Duke Nukem, very disappointed.
  36. DanMan3395
    Jul 4, 2011
    1
    This game was obviously rushed out the door and lacks any kind of depth or attention to detail. The game is the living embodiment of linear and is 10 years behind the times as far as game play is concerned. It's one saving grace is the comedy but all the laughs in the world can't keep me awake while running through a hamster tube maze of boredom.
  37. chris1307
    Jul 17, 2011
    1
    Sadly, this is a waste of everything, ... I guess the biggest FAIL in FPS-history ... graphics, gameplay, "jokes", ... nothing comes above a 3/10 (and I have much compassion with dnf by saying 3/10) ... I haven´t the rawest idea why such a franchise ended up in this massive disaster. If there´d be an opportunity to give it back, I wouldn´t wait 1Sadly, this is a waste of everything, ... I guess the biggest FAIL in FPS-history ... graphics, gameplay, "jokes", ... nothing comes above a 3/10 (and I have much compassion with dnf by saying 3/10) ... I haven´t the rawest idea why such a franchise ended up in this massive disaster. If there´d be an opportunity to give it back, I wouldn´t wait 1 second. A truely dark day in gaming history!… Expand
  38. brand_eins
    Aug 13, 2011
    1
    bad and dull game. glitchy. Don't buy it. This is just a money-making game of some very untalented and uninspired game developers. Rest in peace, duke. Rest in peace.
  39. JF-String
    Oct 20, 2011
    1
    Prendre 12 ans pour faire un jeux, et en faire une merde absolue! C'est ce que 3D Realms à fait ici. On a enlever tout ce qui était amusant du titre 3D et on a mit tout ce qui restait dans Forever. Il n'y a plus au dessus de 10 armes à transporter avec soi, plus de holoduke, plus de belle cartes avec des tonnes d'ennemis à fairePrendre 12 ans pour faire un jeux, et en faire une merde absolue! C'est ce que 3D Realms à fait ici. On a enlever tout ce qui était amusant du titre 3D et on a mit tout ce qui restait dans Forever. Il n'y a plus au dessus de 10 armes à transporter avec soi, plus de holoduke, plus de belle cartes avec des tonnes d'ennemis à faire explosés et des passages secrets partout, etc, etc, etc... Qu'est-ce qui reste pour que je donne un 1/10? La sexualité est d'avantage présente. L'humour y est toujours. Le graphisme des pitounes et du jeux est excellent. Mais je n'achète pas un jeux pour des plaisirs qui ne durent que 10 minutes. QUELLE DÅ Expand
  40. Modernmin
    Nov 2, 2011
    2
    Played for about 20 minutes and stopped. Really not worth the money. HORRIBLE gameplay, graphics are average. Was hyped up way too much and just really failed to deliver on all areas. Give this a skip
  41. Spawnah
    Jul 20, 2011
    3
    If this game was released when it should have been, it might have been good, but by today's standards it wasn't. I didn't find any of the jokes funny, I was pissed off at the fact I could only carry 2 weapons which was the shotgun and one other gun, since the shotgun is the only one that's any good that you can commonly find. I just wasn't having fun, and stopped playing within a couple ofIf this game was released when it should have been, it might have been good, but by today's standards it wasn't. I didn't find any of the jokes funny, I was pissed off at the fact I could only carry 2 weapons which was the shotgun and one other gun, since the shotgun is the only one that's any good that you can commonly find. I just wasn't having fun, and stopped playing within a couple of hours. It was boring.… Expand
  42. ResonanceCascad
    Aug 24, 2011
    4
    Despite some a couple good parts, the poorly-designed (and woefully linear) levels, uninspired weapons, shoddy AI, and just general sloppiness of the game keep it from being anything more than a curiosity. It's not as abysmally bad as some of the reviewers have made it out to be, but it's still a rental a best. Oh, and don't listen to anyone who says this is a throwback to the 90's -- thisDespite some a couple good parts, the poorly-designed (and woefully linear) levels, uninspired weapons, shoddy AI, and just general sloppiness of the game keep it from being anything more than a curiosity. It's not as abysmally bad as some of the reviewers have made it out to be, but it's still a rental a best. Oh, and don't listen to anyone who says this is a throwback to the 90's -- this game makes use of every modern FPS contrivance, and does so poorly.… Expand
  43. SpykeZ
    Jun 15, 2011
    4
    A game that takes everything PC gamers hate in modern day FPS.

    Let me put this out there first. Everyone has their opinion. I'm an old school gamer, before games had to be dumbed and watered down to cater to the new wave of idiotic gamers. Gameplay: First and foremost, Duke Nukem was never a complicated game. It was simple. Matter of fact all there was, was getting keycards, pushing some    A game that takes everything PC gamers hate in modern day FPS.

    Let me put this out there first. Everyone has their opinion. I'm an old school gamer, before games had to be dumbed and watered down to cater to the new wave of idiotic gamers.

    Gameplay: First and foremost, Duke Nukem was never a complicated game. It was simple. Matter of fact all there was, was getting keycards, pushing some buttons to open a door, and killing bad guys. The story was barely there other than Duke was pissed about aliens invading. Sounds simple doesn't it? Ya Gearbox actually managed to botch this up.

    The happened to include everything PC gamers hate in modern day FPS. Small corridors, health regen that activates too quick, 2 gun carry limit....seriously? They got the butt kicking right, just aim and start shooting, but it ends there. You're lead through corridors and hall ways with no freedom to even jump on top of slot machine. The first half of the game is introducing all these retarded mini games that you're forced to sit through. God forbid they let you do what Duke does best. No lets make you constantly write on stuff like people actually care.

    Once you get through these hallways you're locked in a non stop enemy spawning room where you run in circles shooting bad guys till they stop spawning and you can go open up a door that just happens to be unlocked now. Rinse and repeat. If your health is low screw it, just go sit behind cover for 5 seconds Graphics: I think they're fine for the most part. I'm not much of a graphics whore. I still play old games because they were fun, not because of the gfx. Sadly the gameplay made the gfx the only good thing about the game and even then..they were only mediocre.

    Sound: Voice acting was the only good thing about the game. It felt in place but sadly the sound is locked to 2 channel. You'll have to find your own way to get it on surround sound.

    Everything else: You can tell the game was made for consoles. The controls are garbage. Mouse is unnatural. The game even smells of the fact you can tell they were trying to cash in on the Duke Nukem name and that'd gain them instant glorification. All those loved cheesy Duke lines were way over used in just about every scene possible and every possible moment.

    Bottom line? It's a basic console shooter. Nothing more. Just happens to have the Duke name on it which sadly this sort of game is already all over the place and sorry to say, I liked Call of Duty better....and I absolutely detest that series.    … Expand
  44. ElHard
    Jun 16, 2011
    4
    Tenía claro que el juego no iba a dar más que lo que realmente ha dado. Es muy triste, pero hubiese preferido que nunca hubiese llegado y mantener el romanticismo por un Duke que nunca llegaba. Porque ahora que ha llegado, lo ha hecho así... El gran Duke no se merecía esto.
  45. theshonen8899
    Jun 21, 2011
    0
    I didn't know there were games that could be this bad. Awful graphics are fine, as long as gameplay and story hold up. Both gameplay and story are even worse than the graphics. The gameplay is like any other shooter, however the bosses and level design are atrocious. None of the guns are any fun to shoot and the levels are so bland, so generic you will literally feel like vomiting in theI didn't know there were games that could be this bad. Awful graphics are fine, as long as gameplay and story hold up. Both gameplay and story are even worse than the graphics. The gameplay is like any other shooter, however the bosses and level design are atrocious. None of the guns are any fun to shoot and the levels are so bland, so generic you will literally feel like vomiting in the toilet because of the mixture of ugly levels and horrible graphics. The story is obviously nonsensical, but not in the charming or forgivable way. It's told in the most boring manner possible with no hilarious moments even though it seems like they really want to make it hilarious. There's a part in the game where you slap a wall with three boobs and it sounds funny but it's just kind of there and you slap it and duke says some one liner which isn't really funny. If you wanted Duke Nukem Forever to be like Duke Nukem 3D, prepare to be disappointed because it's nothing like it.… Expand
  46. cgilmore2000
    Jun 18, 2011
    2
    Wow this game just sucks. Game play is lame even during the best moments, plot is something a 12 year old would come up with, and then it hits you that ooh my god I waited 12 years for this game to come out and this is the best they can do? The game looks like its about 5 years old and its a VERY poor attempt to bring back the Duke but too me Duke is dead now :( Don't buy it or waitWow this game just sucks. Game play is lame even during the best moments, plot is something a 12 year old would come up with, and then it hits you that ooh my god I waited 12 years for this game to come out and this is the best they can do? The game looks like its about 5 years old and its a VERY poor attempt to bring back the Duke but too me Duke is dead now :( Don't buy it or wait till its a $10 game because that's what its worth. I going to uninstall it and reinstall DN 3D to remember the good times.… Expand
  47. kabj06
    Sep 25, 2011
    4
    This game is not a bad game. It is a terrible game that should not have the name Duke Nukem on it AT ALL. It does not live up to Duke Nukem 3D at all because it has been influenced by Call of Duty and other franchises. For instance, you can only hold 2 weapons at a time. In DN3D you could hold every weapon in the game. Also, your health regenerates. I have hated this since I first playedThis game is not a bad game. It is a terrible game that should not have the name Duke Nukem on it AT ALL. It does not live up to Duke Nukem 3D at all because it has been influenced by Call of Duty and other franchises. For instance, you can only hold 2 weapons at a time. In DN3D you could hold every weapon in the game. Also, your health regenerates. I have hated this since I first played Halo 2 and I will hate it 'till I die. This makes the game a lot easier for those dumb teenagers on their Xboxes and makes it a lot more boring for people who are good at games and don't throw a fit when they die. And, there is the linear level design. This is my #1 gripe with this COD rip-off. In DN3D it took me 2 days to fully get through a single level. There were secret places and Easter eggs that you had to LOOK for to find (like the Doom reference or the 2001, a Space Odyssey reference). Also the graphics were sub-standard. I usually don't rate games on how they look but when a game sucks you can at least look at the world in DX11 detail.… Expand
  48. Hafskjold
    Apr 2, 2012
    1
    Like everybody else, the hype got to me. I too remember the good times I had with Duke Nukem 3D back in the day in my parents basement. So, when they rolled out the trailers for this I pre-ordered and expected greatness. Why? Because I am dumb as a whistle apparently. The awful truth about this game however, is that it is horribly dated, rushed, badly designed and just plain boring. I didLike everybody else, the hype got to me. I too remember the good times I had with Duke Nukem 3D back in the day in my parents basement. So, when they rolled out the trailers for this I pre-ordered and expected greatness. Why? Because I am dumb as a whistle apparently. The awful truth about this game however, is that it is horribly dated, rushed, badly designed and just plain boring. I did not play more than a few hours before I finally came to terms with the fact that this game is really really bad. So, 2K Games and Take-Two Interactive has capitalized on the hype this game had, produced a really REALLY bad game - and lost me as a consumer for life. These guys deserve no respect. Duke Nukem is not back, he is in fact hiding at home with his face in his hands - thinking about this pile of dung with his name on it.… Expand
  49. tamtarna
    Jun 16, 2011
    1
    Man this game is BAD!
    Horrible textures, cringe worthy dialog and terrible level design.
    For a game in development for so long, one has to wonder just what they spent all that time on.
    It certainly wasn't time well invested.
    Not since the shocking Space Chimps Game has a title disgusted me so much!
  50. paketep
    Jun 16, 2011
    0
    Exactly what I expected. DN already was a joke (although a much better one) when they were more or less up to par technically, and their problem was that they thought they were funny and the only funny in their game was lifted from Army of Darkness. DNF is a disaster of atomic proportions. In 2003 perhaps it could have been a decent game. Today?. They should have never released it.

    I look    Exactly what I expected. DN already was a joke (although a much better one) when they were more or less up to par technically, and their problem was that they thought they were funny and the only funny in their game was lifted from Army of Darkness. DNF is a disaster of atomic proportions. In 2003 perhaps it could have been a decent game. Today?. They should have never released it.

    I look forward to George Broussard's next disaster in 15 or 20 years. Heh, and to think that he had the nerve to criticize games from other developers all these years. I can still play Elite Force and is 100 times the game DNF is, despite being released in 2000. No wonder Scott Miller left. What I don't know is how it took him that long.    … Expand
  51. Arrow
    Jun 16, 2011
    0
    I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!! This game is a total failure. ITS BORING, its slow, Duke is a cripple that can carry 2 weapons, and is blind after drinking one small beer. There is unlimited regenerating life (aka EGO), there are boring turret sections and car riding... THIS IS NOT DUKE. Seriously, skip it. Its not worth 10% of the price, it is so bad.
  52. inverted720
    Jun 15, 2011
    3
    Borderlines on the unplayable... Fun is one thing it is not. It's buggy and not polished. You can expect poor frame rates, lame npc interactions, glitchy secondary game interfaces, and occasional lower back pain! Also, I found the game super easy on the hardest difficulty. Listen to the critics when they say this game is outdated. It's the polished hastle-free smootheness of the newerBorderlines on the unplayable... Fun is one thing it is not. It's buggy and not polished. You can expect poor frame rates, lame npc interactions, glitchy secondary game interfaces, and occasional lower back pain! Also, I found the game super easy on the hardest difficulty. Listen to the critics when they say this game is outdated. It's the polished hastle-free smootheness of the newer titles this game completely lacks. Wish I could get a refund... I hope they never make another duke.… Expand
  53. Albinowolf
    Jun 19, 2011
    3
    Well lets see. We wait patiently (for the most part) for this ass kicking in your face game where we can blow things up, kick some alien scum but and make lewd comments and play with some awesome weapons. What I didn't wait for or want to do is play a version of Myst with guns. Duke is about violence and explosions not solving puzzles to move on which this game seems to have a plethoraWell lets see. We wait patiently (for the most part) for this ass kicking in your face game where we can blow things up, kick some alien scum but and make lewd comments and play with some awesome weapons. What I didn't wait for or want to do is play a version of Myst with guns. Duke is about violence and explosions not solving puzzles to move on which this game seems to have a plethora of, if I wanted to play Leisure Suit Larry I would of reinstalled it. And don't even get me started on the lack of power or general use of the "weapon" The Ripper, I use the word "weapon" very lightly here as it takes up to 50 rounds to take down an enemy, the 911 is better suited for killing this this POS.

    The environment is not well suited for a game that requires quick-ish movements and I found Duke getting hung up on debris that he should of easily stepped over. The game is also way to linear and the inability to backtrack to where you have been to get to spawn points for weapons is very annoying as well.

    The other major pain is the amount of kick back on weapons or when you are hit by enemy fire. Don't get me wrong, its a nice feature to have as it adds some challenge to the game but shouldn't the damn aliens suffer from the same effect?

    Am I also the only one that shoots the trapped women ASAP so you don't have to listen to their inane whining? I know I sure as hell did. I found all the women interaction annoying, surely they could of found better bimbo voice overs, Paris Hilton and Lyndsey Lohen sure could of used the work.

    I love Duke3D, absolutely loved it. However my love for the history of Duke is not enough to say this is a classic or great game. I find myself giving it a 4 but then realized its onyl a 3.

    Very very disappointing.    … Expand
  54. Elsingo
    Nov 11, 2011
    3
    This game was for me a very big letdown, expected more from the king of kings. The game is way to linear, even duke nukem 3d were less linear and often had more then one way to get to the end of the level and alot of fun to find secrets. If you havent played it yet but loved Duke nukem 3d my recomendation is dont play it, let the king live for every in your memory.
  55. mjcalvo
    Nov 21, 2011
    4
    The graphics are terrible, but worst, the character animations are just too poor. Try jumping in front of a mirror and you will see a brick going up and down. Besides that, the game is too linear, the monster AI is terrible and allowing you to carry such a small quantity of equipment removes the feeling of being playing with a badass character as Duke. This game is totally dispensable inThe graphics are terrible, but worst, the character animations are just too poor. Try jumping in front of a mirror and you will see a brick going up and down. Besides that, the game is too linear, the monster AI is terrible and allowing you to carry such a small quantity of equipment removes the feeling of being playing with a badass character as Duke. This game is totally dispensable in any collection, because it doesn't bring anything new to the genre. Imagine that it doesn't have the name Duke on it, would you buy it anyway?… Expand
  56. wd40_foster
    Jun 16, 2011
    0
    Terrible game. Linear, bad graphics, stupid one liners peppered at random, and stupid boss fights makes me glad I did not buy this game. So sorry for all those saps who pre-ordered this pile of garbage.
  57. babaracas38
    Jun 15, 2011
    4
    Over a decade in development and it's full of JUMPING PUZZLES?! What were they thinking? This is not Duke, this is an awful POS console shooter. Junk. I'll go back to playing DN3D HRP before I play much more of this steaming pile.
  58. Articunoh
    Jun 22, 2011
    3
    I think I, along with the most of us really wanted to like this game, but DNF proved to be a disappointment. The game is clunky, the game developers seemed to be confused on whether to add outdated mechanics or include newer mechanics, and they did add both, but not in a good way. The levels are bland and boring. The Art style does not stand out. Honestly, all around disappointment.
    I'm    I think I, along with the most of us really wanted to like this game, but DNF proved to be a disappointment. The game is clunky, the game developers seemed to be confused on whether to add outdated mechanics or include newer mechanics, and they did add both, but not in a good way. The levels are bland and boring. The Art style does not stand out. Honestly, all around disappointment.
    I'm sorry Duke, but not this time.    … Expand
  59. xThePezx
    Nov 8, 2011
    0
    I would rather stare at a wall for a week than play this game for five min.
    Dukes character sucks, horrible gameplay mechanics, PS2 graphics, console ported. Really after all these years this is the result?No need to write a review just don't buy it.

    0
  60. Aquaticyoshi12
    Nov 29, 2011
    4
    The gameplay is dull and the Storyline is cliché Although i find this game quite humorous from time to time if you have played it you tend to see that this game doesn't take itself too seriously but even then that does not make the game. I would only recommend that you get this game if its on some sale for Steam.
  61. schwart77
    Apr 16, 2012
    1
    Wasted time...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
  62. Scritty
    Jun 17, 2011
    4
    The shooting mechanic feels so dated. While this might be a "retro" design ideat o remind players of the original, it actually serves to remind me why we have moved the FPS genre on and why no other game these days uses such a dated and dull combat model.
    The final nail is the absurd level of scripting. Every game no matter how "sandbox" needs some level of "author intervention" - but    The shooting mechanic feels so dated. While this might be a "retro" design ideat o remind players of the original, it actually serves to remind me why we have moved the FPS genre on and why no other game these days uses such a dated and dull combat model.
    The final nail is the absurd level of scripting. Every game no matter how "sandbox" needs some level of "author intervention" - but 'Forever might as well be a ride on a push cart shooting at "stuff" as you pass.
    Graphically it's more 2006 than 2011, Gameplay 1998 .

    It's not terrible. I give it 4 which just on the "down" side of average. If I was a massive Duke fan I might have liked it it, I'm not, so after playing 8 hours I've uninstalled it put the box with my old games collection in the attic.

    See ya Nuke. Probably better I remembered you for the fun you gave me in the 90's rather than this below average remake.    … Expand
  63. Aemony
    Jun 20, 2011
    4
    Occasionally fun with its moments, but overall rather boring of a forgetful nature. Pacing is uneven with certain combat segments harder than even the hardest bosses. The beginning of the game was rather uninteresting but was soon developed into something better, until it fell flat down again after a boss fight which ended that 'chapter' of the game (which sadly was only about 20% of theOccasionally fun with its moments, but overall rather boring of a forgetful nature. Pacing is uneven with certain combat segments harder than even the hardest bosses. The beginning of the game was rather uninteresting but was soon developed into something better, until it fell flat down again after a boss fight which ended that 'chapter' of the game (which sadly was only about 20% of the whole game). The rest of the game was a boring and below-medicore shooter experience with a few mini-games stuffed within. When the mini-games in a shooter is more fun than the actual shooting and the rest of the game something is really wrong.… Expand
  64. Golder
    Jun 23, 2011
    0
    This game is just dumb. After all those years of waiting, 15 years or so? And this is all we get. I'll try to bring myself to begin describing how dumb and dumb and dumb this game is.

    Iâ
  65. Biss
    Jun 27, 2011
    1
    What a bad return. Thin and boring level-design, no secrets or even secret-levels, snuffing babes instead rescuing babes, no more health. That's not Duke.
  66. MisterFister
    Oct 5, 2011
    3
    Tried the demo, was desperately disappointed. It feels out of date, the movement is clunky and, while the humour is still there in spades, I feel Duke was a game of its time. It should have been left alone and we would have had fond memories.
  67. Ursadorable
    Nov 23, 2012
    0
    Really? We waited 20 something years for this steaming pile of code and graphics? What a way to totally destroy a franchise gifted to you. *golf claps*
  68. Valerium
    Oct 12, 2011
    2
    I am honestly surprised to see people giving this scores above 6, I honestly am. What we have here is 14 years of disappointment, to put it lightly. There is nothing, NOTHING redeeming this game, not the graphics, not the mediocre gameplay, the lackbuster humor or the "story" everything that made duke nukem 3d popular they forgot about. Regenerating health and a 2 gun limit, uh...

    I am    I am honestly surprised to see people giving this scores above 6, I honestly am. What we have here is 14 years of disappointment, to put it lightly. There is nothing, NOTHING redeeming this game, not the graphics, not the mediocre gameplay, the lackbuster humor or the "story" everything that made duke nukem 3d popular they forgot about. Regenerating health and a 2 gun limit, uh...

    I am glad I wasnt one of those people who thought this game would turn out to be pure gold, because I said it 5 years ago this was gonna flop, and it did, BIG TIME. Daikatana just got beaten as worst overhyped game ever made.    … Expand
  69. LoneWolf
    Nov 6, 2011
    3
    I'm a big fan of Duke3D,but this game.....Bad graphics,idiot story and characters,can't use all of the weapons(WTF!?),and I didn't feel that old,retro atmosphere.Multiplayer sucks,just sucks.The only thing which is not so bad is Duke's character,he is OK with his outdated one liners.Don't buy it,only cause pain.
  70. ryfleman
    Feb 9, 2012
    3
    This is in no way a good game, but how bad it is depends a lot on how you judge a game. If you think a game should only be judged by the gameplay itself, its now HORRIBLE, just run of the mill bad. But if you judge it on its development time, numerous delays, overhype, lackluster humor, dated graphics and most of all outright ruining of the character, than its one of the worst games of theThis is in no way a good game, but how bad it is depends a lot on how you judge a game. If you think a game should only be judged by the gameplay itself, its now HORRIBLE, just run of the mill bad. But if you judge it on its development time, numerous delays, overhype, lackluster humor, dated graphics and most of all outright ruining of the character, than its one of the worst games of the year. I judge on more of a mix between, I will admit I have seen worse when it comes to game mechanics, but the 13 year development time, the graphics and aesthetics and the self righteousness of the game make it so I can't help but call it the 2nd worst game of the year, only to be beaten by Modern Warfare 3 (for similar reasons, look up my review if you really care, and if it makes you feel better I'm sure BF3 was just as bad but I won't expose myself to that much **** in one year). So, no it is not the worst on a mechanical standpoint but that doesn't mean that anyone should ever buy this game because it is still bad. No one should ever enjoy this and a 50 dollar price tag makes it all the worse. Just do yourself a favor and stay away.… Expand
  71. bittermann
    Jun 14, 2011
    2
    WOW...so disappointed in this game. Bad graphics, vulgar one liners trying to be funny but fall way short and linear game play. Wait for the bargain bin if you must have this for nostalgic reasons!
  72. MB_
    Jun 14, 2011
    1
    Chronically bad. No guns for the first hour or two of game play, just endless unskippable exposition and annoying characters. The graphics and humor constantly remind me of Postal 2, I guess as it uses the same tired old game engine.

    As a Serious Sam, run and gun fan I am sorely disappointed. What on earth were they thinking. I can honestly say I didn't get far in the game, after the ten    Chronically bad. No guns for the first hour or two of game play, just endless unskippable exposition and annoying characters. The graphics and humor constantly remind me of Postal 2, I guess as it uses the same tired old game engine.

    As a Serious Sam, run and gun fan I am sorely disappointed. What on earth were they thinking. I can honestly say I didn't get far in the game, after the ten occurrence of 'tap space to continue' I closed it, deleted it and told all my friends where to stick it.

    So many smarter, prettier and frankly more fun games out there. Why bother releasing this tripe at all. Let sleeping dogs, no let dead dogs lie.    … Expand
  73. grandpajoe6191
    Nov 8, 2011
    2
    I've never played the old Duke Nukem before, but it doesn't take a brainless moron to realize that "Duke Nukem forever" is one **** game. For the few several hours, the game tries to be unpredictable and enjoyable as possible. However the **** AI, unstable difficulty, and the horrible graphics (10 years...and this crap is the result) pushes this into the abyss of failure. Tell you what;I've never played the old Duke Nukem before, but it doesn't take a brainless moron to realize that "Duke Nukem forever" is one **** game. For the few several hours, the game tries to be unpredictable and enjoyable as possible. However the **** AI, unstable difficulty, and the horrible graphics (10 years...and this crap is the result) pushes this into the abyss of failure. Tell you what; get a better game. Go play MW3 and BF3 or something that pleases you. I don't give a **** on however you troll about other products, cause I'm pretty sure it's better than this.… Expand
  74. NoMoreLogins
    Jun 14, 2011
    2
    DNF is a sloppily made console port of Generic Shooter 2011. It's gameplay mechanics are copied straight from pretty much every modern console shooter (regenerating shield, 2-weapon-limit, extremely linear gameplay, pseudo quicktime events, checkpoints, choked FOV) and noticeably get in the way of having fun - it's kind of hard to enjoy the game with button prompts in the middle of yourDNF is a sloppily made console port of Generic Shooter 2011. It's gameplay mechanics are copied straight from pretty much every modern console shooter (regenerating shield, 2-weapon-limit, extremely linear gameplay, pseudo quicktime events, checkpoints, choked FOV) and noticeably get in the way of having fun - it's kind of hard to enjoy the game with button prompts in the middle of your display while you're trying to actually play. Duke even puts down a console controller within the first 10 mins of the game, as if daring the player to use a keyboard and mouse to play.

    Multiplayer is no fun either - numerous crippling bugs and design flaws exist, from the unbearable lag, to the mysterious multiplayer security bugs which Gearbox refuses to disclose, along with the lack of internal security protection, leading to easy cheating. Spawn points in multiplayer maps are poorly designed and no spawn protection is afforded to players, which makes griefing rather amusing.

    While Duke Nukem 3D was kept alive for a long time by a dedicated mod community and the support of 3D Realms, having released the Build editor, there have only been cookie-cutter community-placating responses from Gearbox on the release of a DNF editor, but no actual evidence of one which is forthcoming. This, along with their eagerness in removing the in-game console (to prevent multiplayer bugs - *face-through-desk*) does not bode well for this game being fixed/redone correctly and kept alive by the community's talented mapmakers, artists, modders and programmers.    … Expand
  75. Badhoven
    Jun 17, 2011
    1
    Simply disappointing. The User is thrown into a REALLY poor Graphic. Even Farcry(!!) has a MUCH better Graphic. The Gameplay is miserable. The Characters interact with you in a very poor way. Either they dont look at you, or the animation is so obviously not natural.... The guys who were responsible for this obviously had either no clue of how to really do it, or had better things to do.Simply disappointing. The User is thrown into a REALLY poor Graphic. Even Farcry(!!) has a MUCH better Graphic. The Gameplay is miserable. The Characters interact with you in a very poor way. Either they dont look at you, or the animation is so obviously not natural.... The guys who were responsible for this obviously had either no clue of how to really do it, or had better things to do. There is NO love for details in this Game! Wherever you go, you fight 5-10 enemies, and then a soundeffect tells you that you're done. Then you look for the next room and do the same. Soon there are also no more girls that pull you out of that boring 3d-shooter... I dont think the developers even played the game. This looks like they were just in a hurry to release it. Thats why your health is refreshing on its own! No need to place Medikits, no need to play it once, since the user can always start any fight with full health - and also no need to balance the number of Medikits for different difficulties. Also in any fight-area you can find a place where the enemies cant reach you... WOW i'm standing on a couch, of course the pigcops cant touch me there*doh*... How realistic...Duke is EPIC and kind of Legendary! He should be able to do more than just fire Guns! At least he should be able to interact more with the girls there! Girls cant be touched, nor cant be interacted in any other way than the little animation you instantly see when you get near them... Also that Superstar-like-Duke is pretty ridiculous... Duke's slogans get boring pretty soon too. Its always the same. This game is like Duke3D with real 3D. My disappointment is endless... I guess this will be the first game in my life that i'm not going to finish. Spending my time on something thats not entertaining at all, is just a waste of time. I used to be a HUGE DukeNukem Fan and played those games when i was a little kid and i expected so much after 12 years of waiting... but this is simply a big bad expensive joke. 2 points for this game - minus 1 point for destroying a legend. 1 point...… Expand
  76. C4Chaos42
    Jun 15, 2011
    0
    I expected much more than a taped together game with all the bad features of old and new shooters. The game is heavily linear, features health regenerations, maximum of 2 weapons at a time, no secrets and boring turret sections (control turret to kill enemies).
  77. ThinkSamich
    Jun 15, 2011
    0
    It's bad, the end. Seriously, just head over to the official forums if you want reviews for the game. Duke Nukem Forever was a promising title that failed on many fronts, hyper-sexualization is the only thing that allowed this game to not drown in its own fail... and i would suspect that's the only reason the older Nukem crowd even played it.
  78. LongtimeGamer
    Sep 11, 2011
    1
    Simple. Use the games case as a paper-weight. Not an enjoyable experience at all. Buggy. Clunky. Linear. Just lame excuse for a Duke Nukem Game.
  79. Sindo
    Oct 22, 2011
    3
    Overall very disappointing, some levels are good as is the level of interaction on them, but the good ones are scattered between lots and lots of other boring linear levels. The game play is old, clunky and uninspiring and check point saves..really? I couldn't wait for it to be over. Afterwards I looked at the screen shots/movies in the extra content menu, the game they were going toOverall very disappointing, some levels are good as is the level of interaction on them, but the good ones are scattered between lots and lots of other boring linear levels. The game play is old, clunky and uninspiring and check point saves..really? I couldn't wait for it to be over. Afterwards I looked at the screen shots/movies in the extra content menu, the game they were going to make looked awesome, its a shame they didn't stick to it. instead of just bolting loads of crap together a releasing it. They should have let Duke die rather than ripping his head off and **** in it ;)… Expand
  80. JimCorbett
    Mar 22, 2013
    2
    Such a terrible game. There are so many wrongs with this game, i can't list them all. Read the other negative reviews and you'll get why this game is bad. The only time i remotely enjoyed myself was using the shotgun to blast piggies in the face, and even that happens rarely. Stay away from this, please.
  81. iseeall
    Jul 29, 2013
    3
    A below-average shooter game. It does have some fun minigames inside (physics puzzles), and the designers strive hard to make the game as varied as possible. But everything together just doesn't seem to work. I also didn't like this sort of humor which seems to be the main thing about the Duke Nukem brand. There is nothing cool about it, it's rather annoying and makes me ask if americansA below-average shooter game. It does have some fun minigames inside (physics puzzles), and the designers strive hard to make the game as varied as possible. But everything together just doesn't seem to work. I also didn't like this sort of humor which seems to be the main thing about the Duke Nukem brand. There is nothing cool about it, it's rather annoying and makes me ask if americans really are that stupid to like this? I am sure they are not.… Expand
  82. Speed4Runs
    Dec 19, 2012
    3
    The game is not even comparable to Duke Nukem 3D. The game doesn't have action, or it has it in very little portions, because it's based on **** around.
  83. Fermentation
    Dec 30, 2012
    2
    This was the game that taught me never to pre-order a game again.

    The AI in this game is awful--you can watch a series of identical enemies jump in the scene from the exact same location, follow the same path, behaving the same way, jumping at the same point in the path, etc. Game development has progressed passed this point, and this game's mechanics feel very dated. The juvenile    This was the game that taught me never to pre-order a game again.

    The AI in this game is awful--you can watch a series of identical enemies jump in the scene from the exact same location, follow the same path, behaving the same way, jumping at the same point in the path, etc. Game development has progressed passed this point, and this game's mechanics feel very dated. The juvenile humor in this is no longer cute; it just seems pointless. I loved the original Duke MP, and I was hopeful that the multiplayer was going to be this version's saving grace. Nope. There is something that just off about it. The fact that everyone is Duke is also unfortunate.    … Expand
  84. mckw
    Sep 3, 2013
    1
    EVERYTHING is wrong with this game, the puzzles, the controversy, the game play, the jokes. If you're sadistic and want a rough ride in hell, play this horrible piece of horse dung. This game deserves nothing, an hour into this game is an hour lost. Poor dated graphics poor physics (and puzzles) and really crap aiming are just a few of the many existent problems with this game. AVOID at all cost.
  85. xxdiyxx2
    Jun 25, 2013
    1
    game-play looks worse than in the trailers 2001 2003 2006, graphics are so bad that I want to cry, the physics of the game is terrible. Level design in the game is terrible.
  86. fedecv
    Jul 1, 2013
    3
    Im a fan of duke nukem 3d, but dnf is really garbage it lost all essence, not recommended its boring and not cool in anyway, for me it was finished and released only to make some money
  87. Draculamarth
    Nov 5, 2013
    1
    Wait, this is the culmination of 15 years work? No wonder Duke Nukem is a dead franchise. The graphics are mediocre at best, and I'm not even a "grafix whore" and the gameplay is simultaneously too much like Duke 3D and not enough like Duke 3D. Let me try to explain: the gunplay comes ripped from 1996 and feels weak. There's no satisfaction in killing anyone, but the map design is straightWait, this is the culmination of 15 years work? No wonder Duke Nukem is a dead franchise. The graphics are mediocre at best, and I'm not even a "grafix whore" and the gameplay is simultaneously too much like Duke 3D and not enough like Duke 3D. Let me try to explain: the gunplay comes ripped from 1996 and feels weak. There's no satisfaction in killing anyone, but the map design is straight out of games like Medal of Honor. There's no cleverness to the way the maps work. They're boring. Wolfenstein 3D had more interesting maps and they didn't even have the benefit of a 3rd axis.

    Speaking of cleverness, the game simply isn't funny. While there was a certain charm in Duke Nukem 3D (It helps that that game wasn't awful), it wears off fast here. It's so self-indulgent, it almost made me vomit. Also, I'm all for "offensive humor", but the way this game treats women is sickening. It's like the Gearbox staff have never talked to real women (which wouldn't surprise me). I give it one point for not giving me an STD.    … Expand
  88. wakawakawaka1
    Dec 20, 2011
    1
    level design is boring and generic,outdated graphics,game felt like it should have beeen realeased at least 5 or 6 years ago.generic multiplayer and only redeeming factos it is nasty humour!
  89. Mittsies
    Jun 17, 2011
    3
    Whereas Duke Nukem 3D through us right in the action of it all, the latest installment is slow and miserable by comparison. Obviously Gear Box knew people would have a lot of patience, considering they waited over a decade for this title, so as a result they have brought you hours upon hours of pointless content including (But not limited to) walking, standing, spamming space-bar, orWhereas Duke Nukem 3D through us right in the action of it all, the latest installment is slow and miserable by comparison. Obviously Gear Box knew people would have a lot of patience, considering they waited over a decade for this title, so as a result they have brought you hours upon hours of pointless content including (But not limited to) walking, standing, spamming space-bar, or listening to horrible voice actors spout ****

    The combat and the one liners (as rare as they may be) are perfect, essentially. Shoot bad guy, bad guy dies, you've got balls of steel. The regenerating health and 2-weapon limit are annoying -- but not enough to sour my day. What truly makes this game unbearable and horrible is how slow-paced it is. The game even includes a lot of very-fitting elevator music as you walk around, doing basically nothing. You'll often think "what am I doing? What's the point of this?" as you solve pointless puzzles that often involve pushing things, jumping on things, and finding things. It's BORING. Duke Nukem is a badass who solves his problems with guns and alcohol -- not logic.

    In the end, even if you cream your pants over Duke's 1-liners, the game is not even remotely playable. If they only removed all the "filler" content and narrow the gameplay down to the 2 essential elements that made Duke Nukem 3D a great game, Duke Nukem Forever could have stood a chance. Those three things are: Killing Aliens and Badass One-Liners.    … Expand
  90. stoneysilence
    Feb 1, 2012
    1
    I got it for free, and I think I paid too much for it. The animation is terrible, the levels are tiny, mobs shoot through solid objects. It's almost as if they sat down and thought how can we make the worst game ever? And then they created it.
  91. Joe_Friday
    Jun 25, 2011
    0
    An awful game. It's so bad, I gave up half-way through and deleted it. I loved playing the original Duke Nukem games in the 80's and 90's, but this new version disappoints. They keep saying this game took 12 years to release, and it shows. The graphics are dated and the game play is clunky and awkward. I wish I could get my money back!
  92. Axelskull
    Jun 14, 2011
    0
    my real score would be a 3 or a 4 but with all these untruthful 10s being thrown around im forced to give it a 0 to balance it up.

    the graphics are horribly outdated for a game that's released in 2011. The engine needs to be put down. The graphics are horrible, the game play is repetitive, and generic. I was expecting to be disappointed, but not by to this extent. true duke fans should    my real score would be a 3 or a 4 but with all these untruthful 10s being thrown around im forced to give it a 0 to balance it up.

    the graphics are horribly outdated for a game that's released in 2011. The engine needs to be put down. The graphics are horrible, the game play is repetitive, and generic.

    I was expecting to be disappointed, but not by to this extent.

    true duke fans should pretend this garbage never came out, and to hold a hope that the future may one day yield a good duke game we've all waited for.    … Expand
  93. inidu
    Jun 14, 2011
    0
    This game plucks features from other, better games, but the features never really cohere into a whole. The entire project seems unfocused and nonsensical. Combat with the strictly reduced arsenal is punishing for all the wrong reasons -- it is annoying to backtrack for that one useful gun. The humor is not action-movie parody, it's just bathroom humor. And even that's giving it too muchThis game plucks features from other, better games, but the features never really cohere into a whole. The entire project seems unfocused and nonsensical. Combat with the strictly reduced arsenal is punishing for all the wrong reasons -- it is annoying to backtrack for that one useful gun. The humor is not action-movie parody, it's just bathroom humor. And even that's giving it too much credit. The graphics are ugly, lumpy, and desaturated, and the gameplay is among the worst I've ever experienced. I tried hard to like this game, but it just wasn't any fun, didn't make me laugh, and was remarkably poorly executed.… Expand
  94. StavrosDim
    Jun 14, 2011
    4
    Gameplay
    Gameplay is far away from 'classic' as we know it from Duke Nukem 3d,but it isn't like a modern game's either.
    Duke's health (ego) auto regenerates,but that doesn't make the game easier at all. The game uses a "trial and error" unforgiving system,and you are going to loose lots of lives because you didn't guessed correctly what will happen next. The game demands from you to do    Gameplay
    Gameplay is far away from 'classic' as we know it from Duke Nukem 3d,but it isn't like a modern game's either.
    Duke's health (ego) auto regenerates,but that doesn't make the game easier at all.
    The game uses a "trial and error" unforgiving system,and you are going to loose lots of lives because you didn't guessed correctly what will happen next.
    The game demands from you to do what you must do very accurately,and what exactly you have to do is something you will discover yourself after dying numerous times and trying anything your mind can imagine.
    Some aliens can kill you with a single hit,or two in most cases,and when the game throws 4 to 5 of them on you suddenly and they come from places you've already been before and you didn't so anybody,or it might just spawn them right next to you,having you flanked and surrounded,and then dying.
    The game will be throwing hordes of monsters again and again,and there will be times the next wave of aliens will come before your ego replenishes from the last fight.
    There will be times you will die by a single hit,from an enemy not even visible on the screen.
    There is a 1 weapon limit,and it's bad not only because it doesn't fit Duke's character,but also because it doesn't fit the rest of the gameplay.
    There will be times like this:
    * You have two weapons with ya,the ones ideal for the situation on the level you are in to.
    *Suddenly and unexpectedly your screen goes black and you go to next level.
    *You find a room full of enemies that you weren't prepared to fight,because you doesn't have the ideal weapons for them.
    *You search around to find an ideal weapon,and there are no weapons at all before that room.
    *You exit the game,and re-load the level you completed some moments ago so you will exit it with the right guns this time.
    Playing DNF's campaign is going to get you frustrated and furious,and if you ever broke gamepads or keyboards while playing a game,I assure you that DNF isn't for you.
    The game's interactivity doesn't excite.
    There is less interactivity in DNF than in DN3D that came 14 years ago,and somebody would expect that a game 14 years later would have at least the same amount of interactivity if not more.
    But it's not like that.
    In DN3D you would shoot the toilets,and water would come out from the pipes,but not on DNF.
    In DN3D you would shoot the pipes and natural gas would come out,but not on DNF.
    In DN3D you would shoot a cash machine and money would pop out,but not in DNF.
    The list could go on,but I guess you got my point.
    Level design is linear on all levels,and there is only one route to go.
    You won't get lost as you did on DN3D's complex levels.
    In DNF there aren't secret rooms or entire secret levels either,and that limits replay value and vanishes the exploration feeling and factor that was dominant on DN3D.
    If you try to explore around,the game will punish you with invisible walls.
    There are many invisible walls and the developers could just remove them and let us go on some places,or place physical hurdles,to make it at least reasonable.
    There are too many QTE's and you will have to mash the buttons on your keyboard or controller as fast as you can,but they appear with such a frequency they get annoying IMHO.
    There isn't variety on the game's puzzles.
    You will have to redo the same the same type of puzzles again and again at different levels,and the most common is the barrel type.This puzzle requires you to look around to find all the barrels and then place them to the right spot.
    That's it. Repeat on next level.And on the one after.And again later.
    Duke Nukem Forever is a game that won't keep you interested enough to finish it because of its story or its gameplay,but because of stubborness.
    You have to be very patient and stubborn to keep playing it to the finish and tolerate its bad story,bad graphics,and its punitive gameplay.
    Most likely it's a game won't play again after you finish it once,if you ever finish it.


    Last Words
    Duke Nukem Forever was one of my most anticipated games for years.
    There have been many promises,even more speculation and even more wait,that lead to very high expectations and too much hype.
    When the game finally released,it wasn't "The best game of all time" as 3D Realms once promised,but instead it didn't even catch up with its predecessor,and DNF fell much lower.
    Lots of wrong design decisions,abstract and uncompleted ideas,and bad execution make this game not good enough to stand along the rest of the series. It made me believe that it would be better if it would never come out,so we could all stay with memories of a game that would be the best game of all time,even if we could never play it.    … Expand
  95. m4ch1
    Jun 15, 2011
    4
    this game have humor and.......i cant of think anything else. This game is TOP 1 candidate on biggest disapointment of 2011. DONT BUY THIS, ITS WASTE OF MONEY better get drunk or buy your girlfriend something nice...
  96. spidersfrommars
    May 16, 2012
    0
    Ugg mistakenly gave this thing a 10 out 10.. re-submitted.

    This pos is so bad and is mostly just boring. I suppose this is the reason why G Broussard didn't get it out the door, even changing engines couldn't help this train wreck. All the negative reviews are true, avoid.
  97. SJ555
    Jun 4, 2012
    2
    AN SERIOUS EPIC FAIL GAMEPLAY ..... ODD VISUALS..WEAK DRIVING MECHANICS AND SHOOTING AND EPIC!!.."FAILED" PLOT .. Sorry to say but ... "King just fail to impress baby"
  98. tarekmallo
    Sep 16, 2011
    4
    We waited for and dreamed about this game for 15 years and all we got is a bunch of carp. Dated graphics, terrible voice-acting and a bad unfunny script. Thank a bunch gearbox!
  99. vorpalsponge
    Jul 6, 2011
    3
    The only redeeming quality of this game is the fact that it stars Duke Nukem. The game, stripped of previous expectations, can be considered an FPS with an identity crisis. What seems like a struggle for variety falls short and becomes a disjointed, inconsistent experience. There are a few enjoyable moments, but many more frustrating ones regarding the highly erratic difficulty spikes,The only redeeming quality of this game is the fact that it stars Duke Nukem. The game, stripped of previous expectations, can be considered an FPS with an identity crisis. What seems like a struggle for variety falls short and becomes a disjointed, inconsistent experience. There are a few enjoyable moments, but many more frustrating ones regarding the highly erratic difficulty spikes, unimaginative gameplay, and drab environments.

    This game will most likely only be played so that one can say they played a "Duke Nukem" game. You can easily just pass on this game, and you will not miss out on anything.    … Expand
  100. davenbettridge
    Jul 7, 2011
    4
    Its should be no surprise to anyone why bad/mediocre games exist- not every video game company knows, understands or has the facilities to make their games good, but what is surprising is that people actually like, are entertained by, and sometimes prefer crappy mediocre video games. Whatever happened (or failed to happen) at 3D Realms during the development of Duke Nukem is an amazingIts should be no surprise to anyone why bad/mediocre games exist- not every video game company knows, understands or has the facilities to make their games good, but what is surprising is that people actually like, are entertained by, and sometimes prefer crappy mediocre video games. Whatever happened (or failed to happen) at 3D Realms during the development of Duke Nukem is an amazing lessons for us all, especially the video game industry. It teaches us above anything else how challenging and difficult making a good games is, that its much much easier to fail while making a game rather then succeed and that we should cherish every game that does work well. In the end DNF is mediocre at best. Its dated, lacks much charm, the graphics are bland to crapish, the female human models are atrocious, the humour at first is kinda ok then drifts to lame and the gameplay grow tired fairly quickly. DNF does exist, it is playable, but that doesnâ… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011
29
#29 Most Shared PC Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 48 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 48
  3. Negative: 17 out of 48
  1. GamingXP
    Sep 12, 2011
    55
    Duke Nukem Forever would be quite decent if one felt entirely certain it's intended purely as a self-parody. As is, it doesn't do the expectations, the buyer or the Duke justice – oh, had he rather remained a vaporware legend!
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  2. PC Gamer UK
    Aug 6, 2011
    29
    Petty, nasty and anachronistic. Duke is only relevant as a warning from the past. Avoid these mistakes, developers. [Aug 2011, p.76]
  3. FiringSquad
    Aug 1, 2011
    72
    Bottom line: Duke Nukem Forever was not worth the 15-year wait, nor is it worth paying the full $50. However, I cannot deny that I thought it was both fun and funny, which at the end of the day is what this franchise is all about.
    Read full review
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