With the Atomic Edition, 3D Realms decided to basically pull out a "ultimate Doom" for Duke Nukem 3D by adding a new episode, The Birth. Obviously, this review focuses on that new set of levels.
This is somewhat of a mixed bag. Out of 10 levels, i enjoyed a half, while i decidedly disliked the other half. First level, a parody of spy films (notably Mission Imposible but also series like Get Smart, and probably some other reference) is one of the best levels in this campaign. Then, levels 2 to 4 where kind of a let down in comparison, with a lot of moments that were just awful. And when i was thinking this episode as a whole was definitely going to suck, level 5 onwards were slowly getting better. They were all pretty much ok, like a slow crescendo until level 9, the other outstanding level from this game alongside level 1. Level 9 is actually the longest map of all Duke Nukem 3D including the original first three episodes, but it was so well designed that it got me really hooked up. Sadly, Duke Nukem 3D always had difficulties in bringing a good closer to the episode, and level 10 is no exception. The boss fight is actually ok but everything that happened before that moment, it made me feel like i was playing Hexen. A really confusing map with lots of backtracking.
You have a new weapon here, the expander, which i really didn't use much. And two new enemies: Protector Drone, which are a stronger enemy that doesn't add much, and Pig Cop Tank, a lot more interesting enemy since it allows you to incorporate some kind of stealthy way to deal with them, somewhat bringing a new small element to the gameplay.
The whole thing will probably be more interesting to those who already enjoyed the original three episodes from Duke Nukem 3D, although i would really recommend to those who are into classic fps in general, to check levels 1 and 9.
This is somewhat of a mixed bag. Out of 10 levels, i enjoyed a half, while i decidedly disliked the other half. First level, a parody of spy films (notably Mission Imposible but also series like Get Smart, and probably some other reference) is one of the best levels in this campaign. Then, levels 2 to 4 where kind of a let down in comparison, with a lot of moments that were just awful. And when i was thinking this episode as a whole was definitely going to suck, level 5 onwards were slowly getting better. They were all pretty much ok, like a slow crescendo until level 9, the other outstanding level from this game alongside level 1. Level 9 is actually the longest map of all Duke Nukem 3D including the original first three episodes, but it was so well designed that it got me really hooked up. Sadly, Duke Nukem 3D always had difficulties in bringing a good closer to the episode, and level 10 is no exception. The boss fight is actually ok but everything that happened before that moment, it made me feel like i was playing Hexen. A really confusing map with lots of backtracking.
You have a new weapon here, the expander, which i really didn't use much. And two new enemies: Protector Drone, which are a stronger enemy that doesn't add much, and Pig Cop Tank, a lot more interesting enemy since it allows you to incorporate some kind of stealthy way to deal with them, somewhat bringing a new small element to the gameplay.
The whole thing will probably be more interesting to those who already enjoyed the original three episodes from Duke Nukem 3D, although i would really recommend to those who are into classic fps in general, to check levels 1 and 9.