I was compelled to play this game after hearing so many conflicting opinions about it over the years and because I have a soft spot for the Duke having grown up playing Duke Nukem 3D. Was it worth it? Probably not.

Just about everything in the game feels straight up lazy or rushed out in the last year of development, with a few levels here and there that are actually fun and give a glimpse of what could have been. The shooting is at least competent, and they did a fairly decent job with the pace of the game by mixing things up with driving sections and some short puzzles here and there.

But.. the game is a mess, which I suppose should be obvious if you look at it's development timeline, and the only way I can safely recommend this game to anyone is if they have a lot of nostalgia for Duke Nukem like myself. Even then, your time is likely better spent elsewhere unless you are in the mood for a crusty shooter.

Duke deserved better.

I was compelled to play this game after hearing so many conflicting opinions about it over the years and because I have a soft spot for the Duke having grown up playing Duke Nukem 3D. Was it worth it? Probably not. Just about everything in the game feels straight up lazy or rushed out in the last year of development, with a few levels here and there that are actually fun and give a glimpse of what could have been. The shooting is at least competent, and they did a fairly decent job with the pace of the game by mixing things up with driving sections and some short puzzles here and there. But.. the game is a mess, which I suppose should be obvious if you look at it's development timeline, and the only way I can safely recommend this game to anyone is if they have a lot of nostalgia for Duke Nukem like myself. Even then, your time is likely better spent elsewhere unless you are in the mood for a crusty shooter. Duke deserved better.