Duke Nukem 3D: World Tour - 20th Anniversary Edition Reviews
Duke Nukem 3D is still a fantastic game, but technical issues, little to no commentary, and a dead on release multiplayer community makes an already overpriced package hard to recommend.
The Duke is back in a somewhat new (but very familiar) 20th-anniversary world tour.
While far better, Duke Nukem 3D is somewhat like the first Mortal Kombat; something that mostly managed to be relevant due to its risky style and attitude. It still looks and plays alright, but, besides being a good show-off, the Duke didn't have what it takes to keep up with the competition. Nevertheless, the 20th Anniversary World Tour edition is, without a single doubt, the definite one, even though it doesn't do much to improve the experience.
Overall, it’s a good game but riddled with issues and a way too expensive price tag. It feels like they should have spent way more time on improving the game and play testing it a bit more. One of the most fantastic things however is that they have added modding compatibility.
Sadly, even Duke’s attitude can’t save the majority of the game, which is the same Duke Nukem 3D that released 20 years ago, from being a labyrinth of key card doors with instances of fun shootouts. Jumping from platform to platform while shooting an RPG at groups of enemies is fun, but the frustration of running into a locked door and realizing a missed a panel in some room earlier is a hindrance that occurs too often. Remastered graphics helps perspective, though doesn’t do much more than that. Developer commentary is sparse and mostly skippable, while a multiplayer mode was given prominent space despite there being nothing to do beyond bot matches. Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour is a good romp for those who have never picked up one of the previous eleven ports, but doesn’t offer anything substantial for everyone else.
If you're a die-hard Duke devotee, then World Tour is probably your holy grail, bringing the original onto new hardware with some gimmicky yet functional additions, delivering the most definitive Nukem romp yet. For the Duke Nukem virgins among you, though, it's probably best putting this back on the shelf to wait for a drastic price drop. Although it's nowhere near the mess that Duke Nukem Forever was, this massive heap of fan service will fail to resonate with those unaccustomed to the breed of shooter found back in the 90s.
Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour holds up well for newcomers even if it could do with a few quality improvements. It's a shame there isn't more for those revisiting, but like everything, it's always nice to have this classic on the go.
Duke Nukem 3D – 20th Anniversary World Tour was able to give me a good time (and several frustrations), but I can’t say the price for the game is as good as the game itself right now. It’s currently at 10$ on the Steam, which is really not that big, but judging by how the game works I’d say it’d be best if you’d wait for a sale (for about 15%-25% off, I guess).
World Tour may not be a game for the modern shooter crowd, but those looking to take a blood-soaked stroll down memory lane with the King himself should come get some!
As a bit of a fan, I was fascinated by some of the insights in the developer’s commentary, and content like this elevates Duke Nukem 3D: World Tour above being just another remake.
While not without some issues, Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour is absolutely a worthwhile release of an absolute classic.
Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour doesn't enhance the titular protagonist's classic FPS ride in any massive ways. That said, it's a whole lot of fun, and it's perfect for people who want to revisit the game and for those who are fans of old school shooters.
Apart from the new levels and Duke’s great sense of humour, this anniversary edition doesn’t do enough to drag you away from the wealth of current FPS titles.
In conclusion, Gearbox’s attempt at a little bit of fan service is acceptable. Retro shooter enthusiasts will relive their glory days in the World Tour edition of Duke Nukem 3D, and the curious will probably come away with a positive experience.
Like most gamers with a lifetime of virtual experiences, my current opinion of games played during my childhood and overconfident teenage years is often aggrandized by nostalgia. Playing these classic titles in the present day arouses sweet memories and emotions specific to the awe and wonder of my first play-through, so even if a game has aged like a rock star who’s spent his best crowd-surfing years cleansing and exfoliating his face with innumerable breasts caked in cocaine residue, I’d probably still enjoy and adore the title for the pleasure it gifted me with during those formative years.
In spite of some omissions and technical issues, Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour remains a classic. The original game design is tough, fun and interactive. For those who weren't around when this was first released, the engine change is less jarring than the old design and the new episode is quite good. At its current asking price of $20, it is tough to recommend no matter how big of a fan you are, and those who missed out on the Megaton Edition on PS3 and Vita or those who simply want it on PS4 would be better served waiting for a sale.
Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour manages to remind us exactly what made Duke Nukem 3D so special to begin with. And while not all of it's new content may be up to par with what fans have come to expect, it is still an excellent game and one that is sure to appeal to both die-hard fans, as well as a new generation of gamers.
Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour earns my respect with fluid combat and intricate level design. It’s a fantastic port and a timely reminder of the industry’s past. It showcases the foundations which have propped up the industry for decades, how far we’ve traveled since the post-80s action hero games, and which of the design principles remain useful today.
Being able to finally play a proper port of Duke Nukem 3D on-the-go, with revamped visuals, functional motion controls, and even some extra levels, makes this Switch version stand out from all other previously released versions of the remaster. Not to mention the novelty factor of playing an uncensored version of this game on a Nintendo platform, much to Howard Lincoln’s dismay.
With older versions available everywhere, it can make the currently $20 price tag for this version a bit hard to swallow. However, World Tour is still a great game, especially for the old-school-minded gamer.