@amin's review of Duke Nukem Forever
★★★★
Back in 2011, many things were happening. We were one year in the coalition government of the Tories and Lib Dems, Manchester United were a force in English Football, and this little game was released. There was a lot of attention and buildup surrounding it, especially considering the fact that the game was in development for nearly 15 years. It was announced all the way back in the 90s after the success of Duke Nukem 3D. After its release in 2011, the full force of the internet came out. The game was branded as one of the worst in history, and fans were disappointed. Yet I still had a soft spot for the game. Watching on from the sidelines, seeing reviews, unboxings, and always wanting to play it, but I was too young to have the money to buy it myself. This all changed when I found an unused PS3 in 2025 from a family member and searched through the libraries of the sixth-generation consoles, and I knew that I had to pick this game. While suspending the judgment of the world, I played the game with no expectations. And here what's I thought of it: Duke Nukem, as a character, symbolises the hedonism of humans -- the desire for fame, self-absorption, unrestrained sexuality, power and influence. But Duke is a caricature of that, a humorous take on it all, and you never take him so seriously. I found myself smiling at his cheesy one-liners, crass innuendos, and at his general demeanour. I must say, the voice actor plays the role so well and is part of what makes Duke such a memorable character. The game was a first-person shooter with interesting level designs. Some areas involve some platforming and puzzles, and I found that a unique blend of things. The choice of branding Duke's health in the game as "ego" rather than "heart" reinforces the spirit of his character and that was a subtle and intentional choice. There were a few one-liners about Valve and other game series, like Gears of War, during the campaign. It felt like the developers really put some heart and soul into the game. I really liked interacting with the environment. You can grab most items and use them during combat. Most enemies would die instantly upon impact. You can pee in the game and even grab your own faeces! Very dignified acts of being. Despite the controversy and heightened criticism, I found myself enjoying this game a lot. I found it challenging even on easy mode, in a way that wasn't taxing but rewarding. There is a degree of skill required in defeating the enemies. It has been a while since I hit credits on a game and I am thankful I managed to do it with this game. I have become a Duke fan and will plough through all of his earlier titles. I conclude with the following: "Hail to the King, Baby!"
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