Deal | Steam deal: Now just $2 – "One of the most entertaining and best-designed first-person shooters of all time"
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, one of the most iconic first-person shooters of the 90s made a comeback in 2016 – Duke Nukem 3D. The Anniversary Edition isn’t just a nostalgic re-release; it adds a range of fresh content that should appeal to longtime fans and newcomers alike. At its core is an entirely new fifth episode, crafted by original designers Allen Blum III and Richard "Levelord" Gray. Players can also expect new enemies like the pesky Fireflies and a powerful new weapon: the Incinerator, a flamethrower that packs a serious punch.
The audio experience has also been enhanced: composer Lee Jackson returns with new tracks, and Jon St. John, the unmistakable voice of Duke, delivers fresh one-liners. Visually, the game gets a notable upgrade – its classic "2.5D" style has been transitioned into true 3D, preserving the charm of the original engine. Modern features round out the package, including Steam achievements, trading cards, Workshop support and full compatibility with the Steam Deck.
The story is straightforward but effective: aliens have invaded Los Angeles and their favorite pastime seems to be abducting women. Duke Nukem, a brawny lone wolf with shades and an oversized ego, isn’t about to let that slide – he’s ready to unleash anything that shoots, burns or explodes. In the new fifth episode of the Anniversary Edition, Duke sets off on a global rampage, from Amsterdam to Egypt, always hunting for the next alien to take down. Gameplay stays true to the original: fast-paced action, open level design and a wide arsenal of weapons deliver classic run-and-gun thrills. The controls have been slightly updated for modern players but still retain their retro feel. Multiplayer fans can jump into online matches with up to eight players for some chaotic fun.
Reviews: Humorous, varied – but not without weaknesses
In their German review, 4Players emphasized that Duke Nukem 3D still delivers a high level of entertainment, even decades after its original release. They praised the game's diverse level design, packed with hidden areas and interactive elements, as well as its crude humor and countless pop culture references. The testers were also impressed by the wide array of quirky weapons and gadgets. Optional developer commentaries received positive remarks too, offering fascinating insights into the level design process. The games magazine WayTooManyGames went even further, calling Duke Nukem 3D “one of the most entertaining and best-designed first-person shooters of all time.”
While the game was praised for its entertainment value, reviewers also noted a few shortcomings. The new episode was considered less polished than the original chapters and somewhat lacking in depth. The simplistic enemy AI and lack of tactical challenge were also noted as weak points. Additionally, some fans were disappointed by missing content found in earlier versions like the Megaton Edition, and the absence of local split-screen play was another letdown. 4Players awarded the game a respectable 7 out of 10. On Metacritic, critics gave it a score of 72, while users rated it at 7.2. Over on Steam, the Anniversary Edition has gathered around 4,600 reviews, with 85% of them being positive.
90% discount on Steam
Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour usually sells for around $20 on Steam, but until May 26 it's available at a big 90% discount, bringing the price down to just $2. According to SteamDB, the game has dropped to this price several times before – most recently in early April – but it has never been offered at a deeper discount.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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