DUKE NUKEM ZERO HOUR REVIEW SERIES

DUKE NUKEM ZERO HOUR REVIEW SERIES

A few of the series signature weapons return, such as the ever-fun laser trip bomb and pipebomb, as well as some new guns like a volt cannon and a new type of trip bomb that electrocutes its target. The selection of weaponry is fairly robust, ranging from the typical sets of machine guns and shotguns to more bizarre alien firearms like an energy rifle which rapid-fires bouncy, purple shots. Duke still sometimes makes wisecracks when defeating enemies or collecting a weapon, and although they are still relatively mild obscenities, they sound less stilted since they aren't being censored from a previous version of the game. Where the previous game completely lacked music, many levels have some tunes which range from rock to more creepy environmental stuff, but there are still a few silent levels. However, having so many polygonal models for the monsters, items, and effects results in there being quite a bit of slowdown when all of those things are on screen at once, and there are no large monster hordes, making the action more about individual encounters with one or a few baddies at a time. The presentation is a little better than the previous Nintendo 64 Duke Nukem game, utilizing three-dimensional models as opposed to the flat sprites of before.

Fortunately, the few boss encounters are separate areas, which is good since they generally have some cheap attacks. Then again, since the game itself isn't that lengthy, the higher challenge makes some sense to stretch it out a bit. Some levels have some insta-kill traps, which can be pretty annoying considering how lengthy some stages can be and that they lack checkpoints. It also prevents building up a hoard of ammo, making accuracy somewhat important. Although Duke retains his supply of weapons and items between levels, he loses them all when switching time periods, which can sometimes be a tad annoying in the beginning but forces learning the best use of each period's weapons. The different themes also help provide some variety, from shooting up saloons in the old west to roaming the streets of an apocalyptic future.

The design is still better than the previous N64 Duke game however, and rarely revolves around finding keys to unlock doors. The levels have some basic objectives to progress like collect so-and-so or kill this and that, but it's essentially just point-A-to-point-B type of acts and nothing too complex. Throughout the adventure there are a few references to real-world events, such as a battle with Jack the Ripper and a visit to the ill-fated Titanic, which was sunk by Duke Nukem in this revisionist history, apparently. Like any time-traveling plot it won't make much sense, but it provides a good enough excuse to change scenery and weaponry. The story starts with Duke Nukem receiving a message from his past self in the Victorian era, explaining an assault launched by alien scum involving time-traveling to change history. Although I prefer first-person to third-person, this game is still a solid adventure that spans many time periods, though its multiplayer mode switches to first-person for its frantic action. Changing perspective from first-person to third-person, Zero Hour more closely follows the gameplay conventions of the PlayStation games than its Nintendo 64 predecessor. Great, what am I supposed to use, harsh language?Дuke Nukem 64 must have put up decent sales numbers or something, as here we have what was a brand-new Duke Nukem title created exclusively for the Nintendo 64.

Duke nukem zero hour review