|1-DOOM clone round-up


So, you like doom clones then?  If the answer to that is YES then this
article is for you, I am going to try to round up all of the current
DOOM clones and give them a rating, ok here goes

|1-DEATH MASK


PUBLISHER - ALTERNATIVE SOFTWARE
RUNS ON   - All amigas 1MB+

This is probably the first doom clone seen on the Amiga, the plot
involves you and an optional friend controling genetic mutants who must
run around a maze trying to find an exit or complete a mission.  Death
mask is reasonably playable but far from perfect, it's atmospheric in
places (eg alien hive levels) and the choice of weapons are good.
However, the monsters are not scarey (at least not when you meet them)
and the men are just plain stupid, instead of keeping their distance and
trying to pick you off, they run up to you and shoot at point blank
range.  The game engine is not a true doom type either, you can't move
in diagonals.

OVERALL SCORE 55% DOOM LIKENESS - Ha!!

|1-FEARS


PUBLISHER - MANYIK SOFTWARE
RUNS ON   - All AGA Amigas

The long awaited doom clone, fears promised to be a graet game, and it
even included a level editor.  Fears, to put it politely, is crap.  The
graphics are very poor, the monsters look silly and the guns sound
wimpy.  A big dissapointment, it does not even install to hard disk.
Some mags raved about this but I can't see why, I like Death Mask
better!

OVERALL SCORE 52%
DOOM LIKENESS - Very little

|1-GLOOM (Deluxe)


PUBLISHER - BLACK MAGIC
RUNS ON   - All Amigas 020+

First came Gloom, then the deluxe version.  The two games are the same
but the deluxe version contains enhanced graphics.  A very playable
game, Gloom seems to be the only good doom clone that allows two players
to play on the same machine, at the same time.  Gloom also features very
good monsters, bags of gore and plenty of action.  When I first got it I
liked it better than Doom, but it lacks the depth of Doom, there are no
missions and no elevators or staircases.  The chice of weapons also
leaves a little to be desired.  Apart from these faults, Gloom remains
one of my favourite doom clones on any computer.

OVERALL SCORE 90% DOOM LIKENESS - Not too far off really, it's as
playable but lacks depth

|1-BREATHLESS


PUBLISHER - POWER COMPUTING
RUNS ON   - All AGA Amigas

The preview shots of this baby blew me away.  The graphics very good,
and surpassed anything available at the time.  Breathless plays well and
features good graphics, although they are a little bland (it's all right
angles!) It only seems to feature two types of monster (two blokes) but
might have more later on.  Unlike most doom clones this one has
atmospheric music also.  Overall not a bad effort, first of a new breed
of graphically excellent doom clones.  Can't say I liked it much
though..

OVERALL SCORE 72%
DOOM LIKENESS - Its getting there...

|1-ALIEN BREED 3D


PUBLISHER - TEAM 17
RUNS ON   - All AGA Amigas

This  is  one  of  the  best Doom clones on the Amiga, it features great
monsters  such  as  walkers  and  aliens,  naturally.  Several different
weapons  are  available  for  your  use  and  all  are  good.   It plays
brilliantly,  the aliens have a tendancy to sneak up on you and tear you
to  pieces.   It  is  a  great  atmospheric  game, recomended to anyone.
graphics are not up to breathless standards but good nonetheless.

OVERALL SCORE 89%
DOOM LIKENESS - Graphics let it down. A great game!

|1-NEMAC IV


PUBLISHER - SHAREWARE
RUNS ON   - All Amigas 020+ (fast ram recomended)

This  is, in my opinion, the best doom clone on the Amiga.  The story is
that  you  are  controlling a battle droid who's mission is to reach the
core  of  the  defence  computer  Nemac  4.  To get to the core you must
penetrate  the  many  levels, colleccting codes and killing robots along
the  way.   Nemac  IV features all the things you would expect in a full
commercial  doom clone, including a choice of screenmodes and I-Glasses!
support.   the  3D  engine  is very good, managing to be fast even on my
humble  030  the weapons are the best yet, you start with 2 huge machine
guns  and  two plasma cannons.  overall Nemac IV is a great game, highly
recomended.

OVERALL SCORE 93%
DOOM LIKENESS - Just as good?? nearly!

|1-THE OTHERS


I have not been able to include Citadel or Alien Breed 3D2 since I have
not played them.  Although I have played the preview of AB3D 2 and I can
tell you that the 4 meg version of the game is (if the game is up to
the same standard as the preview) better than DOOM!!

EOT