Duke Nukem Forever Review

Duke Nukem made his debut in 1991, where he became the main character in a world of death and destruction for all PC gamers looking for something new and exciting. Sequels were released throughout the 90s, taking advantage of the constantly changing technology and new gaming platforms. By the end of the decade, there were already 8 games spanning 6 different platforms. The legacy continued into the early part of the 21st century, including the creation of games for handheld consoles, mobile phones, and other applications.

It’s been more than 8 years since we’ve seen a new Duke Nukem adventure for PC and major consoles, and many fans feel it’s much overdue. In Duke Nukem Forever, gamers can enjoy the classic icon in yet another adventure that leads him through a world where he does exactly what he’s expected to do. The title was announced in 1997, but spent more than a decade in developmental hell before actually being finished and released to anxious gamers.

The Good News about Duke Nukem Forever

The good news is that the Duke is back! Players who have been waiting for years to see their main man back in action can now enjoy everything that they’ve been looking forward to. The graphics are high-quality, but nothing to call home over. The Duke is his typical cliché self, providing all the grotesque and obnoxious attributes that you would expect from this raunchy protagonist.

It might seem that the Duke’s attitude and behavior is the most enjoyable aspect of the game. He is, after all, the same spitting image of the original Duke created for the 1991 PC classic and still spews raunchy lines and crude humor as often as his gun spews bullets. The classic character stays that way, preferring to reference classics from the late 20th century like Army of Darkness and Robocop instead of pop culture, which true fans will always appreciate. The action is varied and keeps you guessing, offering new attributes, weapons, and a whole new world with the same classic character that everyone loves.

Screenshot of Duke Nukem Forever (Credit: Take-Two)

The Not So Good News about Duke Nukem Forever

Duke Nukem Forever starts off by grabbing gamers’ attention through juvenile moves and crude humor. Instead of going out to fight crime, Duke starts off with bathroom humor, sexual innuendos, and other unimportant moves that are unnecessary, even if they are humorous. The graphics of this game are competent, but in 2011 we’re expecting something more from our games. Considering that the Duke hasn’t changed a bit, it leaves a little something to be desired.

After the initial sequence, there is a lull in the action before things pick back up. It seems like the years of development created a game that was pieced together to create more of a patchwork quilt than a cohesive gameplay experience. People who want typical shocking, sexy, or funny Duke style will be sadly disappointed that Nukem hasn’t evolved in his sense of humor since his creation in 1991.

The Bottom Line

Gamers looking to get back in touch with the Duke they know and love will have a great time with Duke Nukem Forever. This, however, is more of a nostalgic piece than a new twist on an old classic, which gives it a limited scope in the marketplace and sense of disappointment for some.