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. squint
    Jun 26, 2011
    10
    OK so this game needs some positive press, so here's my 2 cents. I've played the Single Player game thoroughly. I'm level 22 or so on Steam (multiplayer). I've had a lot of fun with this game. I mean, a lot. If there are people out there who are deciding not to try the game out because of the bad reviews, I would just suggest to them to try the game out themselves. At least the PC demo. IfOK so this game needs some positive press, so here's my 2 cents. I've played the Single Player game thoroughly. I'm level 22 or so on Steam (multiplayer). I've had a lot of fun with this game. I mean, a lot. If there are people out there who are deciding not to try the game out because of the bad reviews, I would just suggest to them to try the game out themselves. At least the PC demo. If you're using a console, forget about it. Duke is not meant to be played on console. Get a PC. :)… Expand
  2. nsane
    Jun 23, 2011
    7
    Sadly, this game is not as good as Duke Nukem 3D and fell a little flat on the expectations I had. The overall look and feel and gameplay mechanics suffer from the same ailments as most modern shooters (regenerating health, limited weapon slots, etc). Although exploration and open-endedness have never been traits of the Duke Nukem franchise, I would have loved to have seen less linearity.Sadly, this game is not as good as Duke Nukem 3D and fell a little flat on the expectations I had. The overall look and feel and gameplay mechanics suffer from the same ailments as most modern shooters (regenerating health, limited weapon slots, etc). Although exploration and open-endedness have never been traits of the Duke Nukem franchise, I would have loved to have seen less linearity. The previous flaws, however, do not a horrible game, make. Its flaws aside, this game was still fun. Duke Nukem is as charismatic and as full of himself as ever. The one-liners and pop references are funny and relevant, reminding you that you're playing a Duke Nukem game. Overall, unless you are a fan of the franchise, I can not recommend this title because on its own, this game falls flat. If you are a fan of Duke Nukem, however, I think you'll enjoy this game.… Expand
  3. AstraL
    Jun 24, 2011
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. [ QUOTE ] The game is simply fun. Not great, not bad, just fun. I'm personally dumbfounded by the terrible reviews it has been receiving as the game as a lot of variety, cool weapons, likable enemies and allies and Duke Nukem humor to top it off. If you don't take this game too seriously it can be a lot of fun. [ /QUOTE ]

    +1)    … Expand
  4. 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.
  5. RainbowDashie13
    Jul 31, 2012
    10
    Definitely a good **** shooter! Yeah, yeah, I know it took like 15 years to release it and the game could have been better, but **** Do you people have any idea what 3D Realms had to go through to release this **** game? I accept it as it is because it is still a good game, it's a refreshing shooter because it isn't too modern for me like most shooters being released nowadays.
    And 3D    Definitely a good **** shooter! Yeah, yeah, I know it took like 15 years to release it and the game could have been better, but **** Do you people have any idea what 3D Realms had to go through to release this **** game? I accept it as it is because it is still a good game, it's a refreshing shooter because it isn't too modern for me like most shooters being released nowadays.
    And 3D Realms are still releasing patches till this day to improve what they can, you can carry more guns, more graphics options, and increased performance and much more goodies.
    People, please don't be so **** close minded.    … Expand
  6. GamingPimpLIVE
    Oct 25, 2012
    10
    Amazing f**king game way more of an improvement than the ps3 and xbox
  7. 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.
  8. vAddicatedGamer
    Jul 3, 2011
    7
    Rule #53. You judge a game by its merits. You don't give bonus marks because it managed to survive, you don't give bonus marks because its main character reminded you of the good old days, and you don't give bonus marks merely because others think badly of it. Anyway, despite all the negative reviews, I went ahead and finished the game. It has a good shooter mechanics, interesting weapons,Rule #53. You judge a game by its merits. You don't give bonus marks because it managed to survive, you don't give bonus marks because its main character reminded you of the good old days, and you don't give bonus marks merely because others think badly of it. Anyway, despite all the negative reviews, I went ahead and finished the game. It has a good shooter mechanics, interesting weapons, interesting stages of game (mini-Duke, monster truck). I liked fighting/shooting/executing the aliens (boy do they have some new tricks up their sleeves) so yeah the core mechanics were pretty well done. The 2 disputable features: regenerating health and 2 guns at one time didn't bother me too much, although I admit I missed scrambling around looking for health packs when I'm seriously wounded in older FPS. There is also a healthy amount of cultural references (the first boss cracked me up a bit) and one-liners to keep players entertained. NPCs are hopelessly bland, their attempts at humor fall flat on the face (except for a few of them) but nevermind that, that has never been the Duke's concern. What led to the (admittedly exaggerated) animosity toward the game is probably the level design / pacing. While the alien-bashing was fun, too many a times the action is halted in favor of solving puzzles and navigating through obstacle courses. While they are fairly simplistic, they feel very contrived and they effectively stopped the game from gaining momentum. Plus the game is very restrictive in the sense that most of the time you end up in a confined space, fighting off several waves of enemies, and a previously locked door mysteriously unlocks and you go ahead to solve a puzzle. Rinse and repeat. Even if you are not in a confined space, running around doesn't reveal any interesting places (such as the secrets in Duke Nukem 3D) or anything interesting to do (if we disregard the minimalistic interaction with several in-game objects). My conclusion? I had fun. But sometimes the game feels unnecessarily tedious. It would have been a much better game if there were more alien-bashing and way way less puzzle-solving / platformer action.… Expand
  9. iNfinity
    Oct 3, 2011
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is really good. Not awesome, but nearly there. Huge (and mildly disturbing) bosses were fun to fight, well, most of them anyway. One certain boss(ALIEN QUEEN) pissed me off. The Leeroy reference instantly deserved an 8.… Expand
  10. 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
  11. 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.
  12. 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
  13. 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.
  14. 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
  15. 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.
  16. huntibor
    Mar 23, 2013
    8
    This game was great. A lot of interest in it for example to increase the ego, you can add a lot of things, like if you smoke, have sex, etc.. I do not understand why you are scolding the program. But I understand the artwork, but they could not have been better bring out a more than 10-year graphic engine (Unreal Engine 1).
  17. 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.
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. PeterSims
    Jan 2, 2014
    9
    I walked into this game having only played a few minutes of any previous alterations but I have got to say it was pretty fantastic. Duke himself is voiced by the great Jon St. John.

    If you like humor and FPS games this is a sure purchase because of how cheap it is now.
  21. BMF
    Jun 21, 2011
    10
    Duke is getting so much hate from critics but almost all of it is unfounded. Duke Nukem Forever might not be 15 years dev time good but its still a great game that many people are missing the point with. Alot of the fun in DNF comes from your hilarious interaction with the world and objects around you so if you just rush threw and dont try things out you will miss alot. All in all I wouldDuke is getting so much hate from critics but almost all of it is unfounded. Duke Nukem Forever might not be 15 years dev time good but its still a great game that many people are missing the point with. Alot of the fun in DNF comes from your hilarious interaction with the world and objects around you so if you just rush threw and dont try things out you will miss alot. All in all I would give duke a 8.5 a handfull of bugs and looking out of date in some places cant take away from the pure uncensored fun Duke provides. Im giving this a 10 to balance out the feminists and people who just didnt get it.… Expand
  22. NikTheGreatest
    Jun 21, 2011
    10
    Duke, The King, It's A Nomber One. After twelve years, it finally came to us! I waited for this since the Duke Nukem 3D. This game is some kind of nostalgia returner, you just playing it and feeling something wonderful that make you feel yourself like in goood-oooold times, that's right. Hail To The King, baby!
  23. RandomJack
    Jun 23, 2011
    10
    I love this game. Just like the original game Duke steps outside the box; world interaction, great game play, and classic quotes; its a game that can be played over and over and I still laugh. When you're ready for some fun gaming in your downtime this is it! Come get some.
  24. Hemiovoid
    Jun 16, 2011
    8
    This game would probably be a 6 or 7 ordinarily, but it gets extra points for its mere existence. It is all that it claims to be, i.e. Duke 3D without giant-cube-head-level graphics, but I couldn't help feeling while playing it that something was lacking. It's ridiculously interactive (particularly in the scatological and sexual areas, naturally) but feels overstuffed for it, and it feelsThis game would probably be a 6 or 7 ordinarily, but it gets extra points for its mere existence. It is all that it claims to be, i.e. Duke 3D without giant-cube-head-level graphics, but I couldn't help feeling while playing it that something was lacking. It's ridiculously interactive (particularly in the scatological and sexual areas, naturally) but feels overstuffed for it, and it feels like a way to distract from the functional but subpar gameplay. Overall, I'd say you should wait til it becomes rentable, and then, you know, do that.… Expand
  25. Grigor1997
    Jun 16, 2011
    10
    Duke Nukem Forever its a great shooter with great jokes. Authors are responsible came to his work. Although it has its flaws it fully justifies the 14 years of waiting.
  26. RoninTheOriginl
    Jun 15, 2011
    9
    Those expecting the second coming of Duke may be let down...sort of...it's complicated. This iteration, 15 years in the making (depending on how you're counting) continues with the same recipe that made the first so popular, with obviously improved graphics. Graphics - 8: I've heard complaints on the graphic quality, and sure, it's no Crysis 2, but why are there people still playingThose expecting the second coming of Duke may be let down...sort of...it's complicated. This iteration, 15 years in the making (depending on how you're counting) continues with the same recipe that made the first so popular, with obviously improved graphics. Graphics - 8: I've heard complaints on the graphic quality, and sure, it's no Crysis 2, but why are there people still playing Diablo 2 11 years later, a terrible (by comparison) looking game, with graphics that were nearly outdated before it came out? They get the job done, and 1-2 year old rigs like mine will take it all and smile. Sound - 7: This would score higher if it weren't for a glitch during the opening intro video. The sound was constantly cutting in and out. And that's a MAJOR buzz-kill when you've been waiting for this intro for 15 years. Might be sound or video drivers...might be because I'm still rocking XP. But in-game is great. Very satisfying explosions, gunfire, etc. Gameplay - 8: This too would have scored higher, but I'm afraid it's a little infected with a case of consolitis. There aren't action mini-games all over the place (at least yet), but there's no manual save that I can tell, only checkpoints. But that gripe aside, it's what a pure descendant of Duke should be. Those expecting Deus Ex or Mass Effect, go elsewhere. Multiplayer - ?: Uh...it has it, I know that. I'll get back to you on that. Conclusion - Those looking for depth and bleeding edge graphics, go elsewhere. Those wanting a classic Duke experience mixed with Team America, this is your game. The only other game in as long as I can remember that has elicited this many laughs was Portal 2. It's everything it should be. In other words, parents of children under a maturity age of 17 or 18, please leave this one on the shelf. (oh, and yea...I gave it a 9, because too many d-bags (to use one of the Duke's phrases) really were expecting the second coming)… Expand
  27. WiZKiD
    Jun 16, 2011
    8
    Glad to see Duke's back! Game play is the only issue I have, and it really is due to the limitations on where you can go/move/do in the environment. It is just too scripted, but otherwise is very enjoyable. Who would have thought playing with poo can be a character boost? Thank you 3D Realms!!
  28. blablue123
    Jun 16, 2011
    9
    I've played through the game and let me tell you - this game is GREAT!! It is a very fun, straightforward FPS (without any BS like other modern games) with some puzzle, driving and platforming levels. Some weapons are brought back back from Duke 3D but there quite a few new ones, which are awesome. The humor is usually funny. Duke's one liners made me laugh out loud. (Although some ofI've played through the game and let me tell you - this game is GREAT!! It is a very fun, straightforward FPS (without any BS like other modern games) with some puzzle, driving and platforming levels. Some weapons are brought back back from Duke 3D but there quite a few new ones, which are awesome. The humor is usually funny. Duke's one liners made me laugh out loud. (Although some of them were a bit cheesy). Graphics look a bit outdated but they don't take away from the fun factor. Overall, I think this is one of the better FPS this decade.… Expand
  29. Midnight
    Jun 16, 2011
    8
    Pros: It's Duke, baby. Misogynistic, foul mouthed, and filled with the humor and over the top action in Duke Nukem 3D.

    Cons: Reloading, limited sprint, and regenerating health. Most people seem to have some very odd assumption going into this game that it's going to be the gaming equivalent to the Second Coming, where there will somehow have no flaws, and will dispense chocolate ice    Pros: It's Duke, baby. Misogynistic, foul mouthed, and filled with the humor and over the top action in Duke Nukem 3D.

    Cons: Reloading, limited sprint, and regenerating health.

    Most people seem to have some very odd assumption going into this game that it's going to be the gaming equivalent to the Second Coming, where there will somehow have no flaws, and will dispense chocolate ice cream on demand. When this doesn't happen, they immediately think it's the worst thing to ever grace the computer. Is it the best game? No. Is it the worst game? No!    … Expand
  30. stefansts
    Jun 17, 2011
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Thx Gearbox for this lovely game , i don´t like this COD and BF crap .
    Such fun for an amount of hours ..... Duke one : Gear zero So let them say anything like ..oh rubbish... and kick ass .
    Finally again thanks for the whole effort in every way ... and wait for DLC´s ....please !!    … 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

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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.
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