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. MustisTheCat
    Aug 30, 2011
    7
    First of all, this game is not nearly as bad as people say it is. I dove into the abyss of what I thought was going to be a dissapointment but no. I thought it would be a terrible game. I was wrong. The music is average, the levels are average, the graphics is 2008. Many things lack seriously in detail, especially the women models. The bossfights are cool. Not that I love anything aboutFirst of all, this game is not nearly as bad as people say it is. I dove into the abyss of what I thought was going to be a dissapointment but no. I thought it would be a terrible game. I was wrong. The music is average, the levels are average, the graphics is 2008. Many things lack seriously in detail, especially the women models. The bossfights are cool. Not that I love anything about them, but they are fun and not too easy or hard. Every one of them is different and none is bad, well maybe the thing underwater. Classic boss fights. The weapons are cool, well balanced, have nice animations and fun to dispatch enemies. The enemies are well varied, have good AI and get dismembered nicely. I did not like some of the levels, very boring, sometimes tedious and annoying. Often I did not know where to go or what to do. The levels where you play a small Dookie are interesting (esp. the kitchen fights). There are multiple spots where you stand in a field and surpress waves of incoming foes - that is poorly made. The interaction with facilities are ok, though I didn`t find the games too engaging. You also get killed many times because the game has weird scripting. With all that said, I had some fun, I could not get bored to the extent I`d quit playing. Overall the game is easy and simple to play. A standard FPS I`d say.
    Worth the money when you get a 30% discount.    … Expand
  2. Khallighanm
    Aug 28, 2011
    2
    I bought more than 100 games on steam, and never regreted the money i spent on them. Until i bought Duke Nukem Forever. This game sucks in all aspects: Graphics, engine, physics, story, animation, number of enemies... You can feel that the game was bad coded, and if you have any expectations for this... just forget it. I can say for sure that this was the greatest let down on my entireI bought more than 100 games on steam, and never regreted the money i spent on them. Until i bought Duke Nukem Forever. This game sucks in all aspects: Graphics, engine, physics, story, animation, number of enemies... You can feel that the game was bad coded, and if you have any expectations for this... just forget it. I can say for sure that this was the greatest let down on my entire gamer life. This game is not worth of all the hype that sorround it, and even less the price being charged. This game dont worth 50 bucks. This dont even worth 15 dollars. Seriosly, save your money or buy another game.… Expand
  3. raghav123
    Aug 26, 2011
    5
    I Wanted to like this game.. I wanted to,, so Bad. But it has been a letdown. Reason why,while it isn't a modern game by any stretch, be it looks, gameplay or any other aspect, what it does is that it does try to be modern, which it shouldn't have. it should have stayed closer to its roots.
  4. 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
  5. FaceTheSlayer
    Aug 23, 2011
    8
    I like this game a lot and I just don't understand people and critics who are giving negative reviews. OK you have some dated graphics and and a few flaws in level design, but that isn't enough to give this game a bad score. I laughed my ass off dozens of time while playing this game and I had more fun playing DNF than any COD MF game and it's clones. It's all about the fun, right? I alsoI like this game a lot and I just don't understand people and critics who are giving negative reviews. OK you have some dated graphics and and a few flaws in level design, but that isn't enough to give this game a bad score. I laughed my ass off dozens of time while playing this game and I had more fun playing DNF than any COD MF game and it's clones. It's all about the fun, right? I also find mini games amusing and I spent a lot of time playing them. Maybe this game isn't top notch quality, but much worse games are getting better scores (dragon age 2 *rollseyes*) and considering that scale this game definitely deserves better treatment.… Expand
  6. Celticlord
    Aug 20, 2011
    10
    This game does not deserve all these zeroes. It is a good game with solid multi-player and single-player experiences. lots of hype ruined this game for many but to me the hype only made it better. humorous dialogue, good level design and solid game-play make this game a 10/10
  7. RayMckormick19
    Aug 20, 2011
    9
    Its a pretty well rounded game, not as bad as everyone says, though it was killed by exrteme hype, since now a lot been updated, the graphics are not that bad if you max it out but apparently morons can't do that or base it on **** xbox graphics.
  8. ryannewell122
    Aug 20, 2011
    10
    Hail to the King Baby
    "Don't be fooled by others!" "killed by hype?"
    - Unbaised Review Graphics 8/10 - The graphics could be better but only a little, but for a Unreal 2.5 Engine, if you max it out, it is pretty ground breaking. Storyline 9/10 - The one liners that made the previous Duke Nukem games so funny are back, it needs a little more of them, and the story is your over the top    Hail to the King Baby
    "Don't be fooled by others!" "killed by hype?"

    - Unbaised Review
    Graphics 8/10 - The graphics could be better but only a little, but for a Unreal 2.5 Engine, if you max it out, it is pretty ground breaking.

    Storyline 9/10 - The one liners that made the previous Duke Nukem games so funny are back, it needs a little more of them, and the story is your over the top cliche american macho man, saving the world. But its represented in that humerous way that will win you over, you may even shed a few tears. (specially with the Holsom Twins RIP) :(

    Level Design 10/10 - Some people say the level design is a bit bland, far from it, It borrows from the half-life franchise, on puzzles ,ect and the Rat size levels are just brilliant and funny, It may be copying but it works really well.

    Multiplayer 6/10 - The multi-player is pretty sound, if your willing to over look the flaws, theres a server browser though it might as well be matchmaking since of the lag and lack of dedicated servers.
    Unbais 8.0/10 My opinion 9.5/10.    … Expand
  9. hoolahoop75
    Aug 19, 2011
    8
    I enjoyed this game very much, and i'll tell you why its been getting so much hate. The people who are hating it are the people who played Duke Nukem 3d back in the day. They were teens who had just discovered breasts and swearing. So no wonder you were disapointed when you got Duke Nukem Forever and you couldn't re-live how you remembered DN3D
  10. Shotz
    Aug 14, 2011
    7
    The wait wasn't worth the product. Not that the game was bad, but its worst issue was its title. It just didn't live up to the Duke Nukem name. On its own, its a competent shooter along the lines of Bulletstorm. Little humor thrown in, between some fun guns. The overpowering guns of the past seem to be gone as more artificial limitations are placed (i.e. you can only hold 2 weapons atThe wait wasn't worth the product. Not that the game was bad, but its worst issue was its title. It just didn't live up to the Duke Nukem name. On its own, its a competent shooter along the lines of Bulletstorm. Little humor thrown in, between some fun guns. The overpowering guns of the past seem to be gone as more artificial limitations are placed (i.e. you can only hold 2 weapons at a time, presumably to keep it simple for the console releases). Dukes one-liners seem to be misused, but there are some fun ones in there. The open worlds were replaced by linear corridors. And the fun was replaced by trying to explain itself. Rewrite the game with a name other than Duke and it would get better reviews. Put the Duke in, and it just cant live up to its own artificial expectations.… Expand
  11. 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.
  12. cplonner
    Aug 12, 2011
    10
    I dont know why everone ranked this game so low! Ive been playing these games for years and granted that the game has come out years late it was a great game. If you expected a deep dramatic storyline then you never played the last duke. It was an action game with funny one liners and **** It was great. I liked it and cant wait for the next duke. I dont know what could have made the levelsI dont know why everone ranked this game so low! Ive been playing these games for years and granted that the game has come out years late it was a great game. If you expected a deep dramatic storyline then you never played the last duke. It was an action game with funny one liners and **** It was great. I liked it and cant wait for the next duke. I dont know what could have made the levels boring. You could interact with tons of stuff and there was random eye candy placed around the all the levels. I thought it was a good game and I had a fun time playing it throughout.… Expand
  13. Grense
    Aug 12, 2011
    10
    Awesome followup of the original. Without getting in the middle of the drama that is giving this game bad reviews I'll say not recommended for juveniles, there's extreme grotesqueness and swearing. If you want the full experience it should be played on a very large monitor, I played it fullscreen 1080P core i7 and 5870 and rocked through every minute of it. I was really surprized that whenAwesome followup of the original. Without getting in the middle of the drama that is giving this game bad reviews I'll say not recommended for juveniles, there's extreme grotesqueness and swearing. If you want the full experience it should be played on a very large monitor, I played it fullscreen 1080P core i7 and 5870 and rocked through every minute of it. I was really surprized that when I went into video settings, 1080P was recognized in-game. The casino was greatly detailed, there were quite a few maps of it, the stripclub, and the remote truck as well as other neat stuff. Didn't like the drawnout stretch of shrink as often as it was but every part of the game was thought through and given detail. The smoothness of the game was great, the difficulty had artificial intelligence built-in to govern gameplay dynamics, which gave respect to the control system of the original game, FPS. I'm giving it a 10 for a game that expands upon previous steps up in fps gameplay, The **** looked real. The faces were right-on for a game, great detail with smoothness. The faces were obviously not meant to look real, doll-like really, but I imagine giving one much detail would lead to not only an artist costs, but higher model expectations as well. It was great to reminisce on, I unlocked all maps in about 3 days of hardcore play on next up from easy.… Expand
  14. kujo28
    Aug 7, 2011
    8
    i have to say im really sick of the bad reviews duke nukem forever keeps getting. i bloody love this game! whats so great about it is it isnt like the average FPS you get these days, they all seem to be about war. it takes FPS back to its roots, the days of duke3d. also people are complaining about the graphics, sure its not the best but when you compaire it to duke3d, its come along ini have to say im really sick of the bad reviews duke nukem forever keeps getting. i bloody love this game! whats so great about it is it isnt like the average FPS you get these days, they all seem to be about war. it takes FPS back to its roots, the days of duke3d. also people are complaining about the graphics, sure its not the best but when you compaire it to duke3d, its come along in leaps and bounds. i read in PC magazine that the multiplayer is 'an unwelcome addition' well i think its the best part! i havnt had this much fun since quake 3 arena. i just think people should give it a chance… Expand
  15. Sangman
    Aug 5, 2011
    7
    I've played Duke Nukem 3D a lot of times and the label 'Duke fan' would be quite appropriate to me. Perhaps that means you might discard this review in which case go right ahead. By now I'm sure you know what Duke Nukem is about: some blonde macho-man who loves the ladies is on a killing spree against aliens. The plot is completely throwaway, it's just an 8-hour action game where you fightI've played Duke Nukem 3D a lot of times and the label 'Duke fan' would be quite appropriate to me. Perhaps that means you might discard this review in which case go right ahead. By now I'm sure you know what Duke Nukem is about: some blonde macho-man who loves the ladies is on a killing spree against aliens. The plot is completely throwaway, it's just an 8-hour action game where you fight against aliens in varying environments. The game is pretty enough (on PC, I can't speak for consoles, I hear they have quite a bit of issues!), the classic monsters and weapons from Duke3D made their return, the humour is there, there are some awesome interactive things and the action feels satisfying.

    Though, while I feel many of the very negative reviews are the way they are solely because of the long wait, I must admit I too expected more from the game. The 2001 trailer hinted at something that would be very epic... in the end we got something that's fun to play and definitely not generic, but after such a long wait it's only natural to expect more. Not perfection, but just... more. The game ended quite abruptly after a recycled bossfight and the game just feels ironically unpolished and rushed in some places. If you've followed up on DNF's development the reason why that is so, even after 15 years, should be obvious, what with multiple "restarts" and ultimately moving to a different company near the end of development. DNF shines in some parts whereas it is a mess in others.

    I am hoping that they will release the planned Single Player DLC and that for that, they will be able to properly polish it from the start. Hopefully, it will not be such a double-edged sword and will be able to please more players.    … Expand
  16. razvyan
    Aug 4, 2011
    6
    this game merit this note because is too simple and too short .
  17. grazy
    Aug 3, 2011
    10
    The game is a romp...its fun and that was the way it was meant to be...the same as its predecessor. The problem is with the lead up time. The more time to release the game, the more hype, the greater the expectations. I am old enough to remember DN3D and how the magazines at the time ferociously attacked it for all (or at least most) of the same reasons as they scorn DNF. Now DN3D isThe game is a romp...its fun and that was the way it was meant to be...the same as its predecessor. The problem is with the lead up time. The more time to release the game, the more hype, the greater the expectations. I am old enough to remember DN3D and how the magazines at the time ferociously attacked it for all (or at least most) of the same reasons as they scorn DNF. Now DN3D is considered a classic. DN3D never tried to be superior to other games of the time (Doom, Quake) it just tried to be FUN...and the mags hated it for its political incorrectness and the graphics (technology) not being top notch. Just play the game the way it's meant to be played, laugh at the situations/jokes (yes they are meant to be crass, over the top, silly and most importantly politically incorrect) and just have fun....and by the way I love it.… Expand
  18. 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
  19. Afreemanuk
    Jul 31, 2011
    9
    Duke is back baby! - Yes its about time after 12 years he should be!!. Ive read most of the negitive reviews on this game and yes compared to some of the FPS released today it does look dated. But it only looks dated.....really if we judged games on graphics alone then no one would play pac man or pong or the old style mario games due to "bad graphics". To me its a fun romp of a FPS, yesDuke is back baby! - Yes its about time after 12 years he should be!!. Ive read most of the negitive reviews on this game and yes compared to some of the FPS released today it does look dated. But it only looks dated.....really if we judged games on graphics alone then no one would play pac man or pong or the old style mario games due to "bad graphics". To me its a fun romp of a FPS, yes it has an adult theme, but thats what duke is all about!, i loved the old games growing up and this for me just re-creates its charm and fun of blowing the cak outa everything!. Yes the level where all the babes are being "subjected to experiements" might be a bit much , but its supposed to shock you into think hell, i gotta stop this. Not enough games today pay enough time to why things need to be stopped and why you are fighting. I think Duke Nukem does this well. Its fun, the one liners are funny (Bulletstorm is just as funny imo) and duke nukem at least on the PC has some BALLS of STEEL. The Less said about the console releases the better. For a true Nukem Experience, the PC is the place to be.

    HAIL TO THE KING BABY!.    … Expand
  20. Travie
    Jul 22, 2011
    9
    This is one game that shows it went through an immense amount of polish. All the flaws that the negative reviews states I think I can amount to a short attention span. People keep saying that the pace was too slow, I guess you can go play some mindless COD if you want fast pace, but I for one spent hours and hours just playing the numerous minigames and loving every minute

    Don't expect    This is one game that shows it went through an immense amount of polish. All the flaws that the negative reviews states I think I can amount to a short attention span. People keep saying that the pace was too slow, I guess you can go play some mindless COD if you want fast pace, but I for one spent hours and hours just playing the numerous minigames and loving every minute

    Don't expect magic pixie dust flying from your bunghole after playing, but its still awesome and well-worth your time.    … Expand
  21. 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
  22. 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
  23. Pedalbear
    Jul 14, 2011
    10
    By far the best FPS I have played in a long time. People saying that DNF is worse than cookie cutter FPS like MW, Halo, CoD and fear can blow it out there ass.
    So far there are only two things that this game has picked up that I donâ
  24. King-Martinou
    Jul 13, 2011
    7
    Got this is the Steam "Summer Camp" sale for 50% off. I only played the campaign and it was too funny. I never played a Duke game before but this guy is crude, sexist and a binge drinker! Serious this game will make your stomach hurt! I wouldn't say it is worth full price but if it is a sale then it is.
  25. Dalek
    Jul 12, 2011
    10
    I'm sorry, but this game doesn't deserve such a low rating. I dont see whats wrong with it. It may be linear, it may not be like Duke 3D or the best graphics in the world. But seriously, what did you expect? This game went through what? 3 DEVELOPMENT STUDIOS? So this game has gone through a lot and 3D Realms wanted it to be the perfect game. I love this game, multiplayer isn't the best,I'm sorry, but this game doesn't deserve such a low rating. I dont see whats wrong with it. It may be linear, it may not be like Duke 3D or the best graphics in the world. But seriously, what did you expect? This game went through what? 3 DEVELOPMENT STUDIOS? So this game has gone through a lot and 3D Realms wanted it to be the perfect game. I love this game, multiplayer isn't the best, and weapons are way too over powered. But singleplayer blew me away, from the parts of Duke getting blown away and seeing his body go flying. Those parts were so entertaining. Puzzles were good, and took not too much effort but required a braincell. Interacting with pinball machines, doing weights etc. Its one of the best campaigns I've played in a long time.

    So, stop hating on the game, its not the best. But I loved it, and every second was worth it!    … Expand
  26. Childofbhaal
    Jul 11, 2011
    8
    It's not COD4 or B:BC2 and thank goodness for that - There are more then enough realistic shooters out there. It was time for a bit of fun, and DNF delivers that - Its got its flaws for sure but it doesn't try to be anything other then a hell of a lot of fun to play. Just go into it with an open mind and prepare to laugh out loud more then you've done in while with a game...
  27. Antenna
    Jul 11, 2011
    10
    The positive reviews must have been written by employees of the program designers. Its the worst $44 ever spent on a game. The 1 min spent each time you re-spawn is awful, especially if your a bad player. and you die often. On the positive side and there are very few, its a good story and the graphics are fun.
    Do not waste money on this game, wait until its available in Wallmart for $4.95.
  28. saleks
    Jul 11, 2011
    9
    I picked teh game up on Steam summer sale for 50% off and it is worth every penny. I have enjoyed this game very much and despite its many shorcomings I think the low score is not deserved. Yes, it is not a ground-breaking masterpiece as the original. However, it is still a lot of fun and in that department it is a much better than many recent FPS games which had much higher score. So II picked teh game up on Steam summer sale for 50% off and it is worth every penny. I have enjoyed this game very much and despite its many shorcomings I think the low score is not deserved. Yes, it is not a ground-breaking masterpiece as the original. However, it is still a lot of fun and in that department it is a much better than many recent FPS games which had much higher score. So I think the low score is a result of unfulfilled expectations. The gameplay to me mostly reminds HL2 - some easy physics puzzles, some throwable objects, use of improvized weapons to kill enemies and it is equally as scripted. Some dated but funny and very nostalgic mid-1990s "macho man" style of humor. This actually has been critisized a lot but I think it fits Duke's character very well - according to the story-line the guy was sitting in his layer isolated from the world for 12 years. So yeah, he has missed the wave of political correction that came since. We can't blame him. And should aliens attack in real life we would need Duke kick their a** and take names. My biggest let down is the limit of just two guns at a time. You basically have to choose guns for which ammo is available. For an old-school shooter that is also very scripted it takes away the fun of experimenting killing the waves of the enemies in as many ways as possible. I mentioned waves of enemies, well, they are not here either. That is my second problem with the game - number of enemies is small but their AI level is low. It should be either a) few smart enemies or b) hundreds of dumb ones. So the game tends to be a bit too easy.

    In summary: - The good: It is fun, good old-school shooting, the script is good, some puzzles are innovative, - The bad: dated graphics, limit of two primary guns, dumb console-style tapping to acomplish some stunts or open doors, too easy. Also too much loading.    … Expand
  29. GaMsTeRcRiTiC
    Jul 11, 2011
    4
    The game has outdated graphics and gameplay mechanisms, and is extremely buggy, and is unable to support more then three enemies on a screen at a time. But the game does mix itself up by having severals interacting throughout it, but the puzzles get repetive and are fairly clich'e. But it's not the worst game, but is only good for rent, do not buy it.
  30. ROCKETMAN_USA
    Jul 9, 2011
    8
    Duke is what it has always claimed to be. Donâ
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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!
    Read full review
  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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