While Xbox 360 and PS3 users have worked themselves into a veritable tizzy over downloadable content, PC users have been accustomed to having the lifeline of their favorite games extended far past their in-the-box values since the days of Doom - and even before that. What's more, we're used to downloading new levels, weapons, characters, and new episodes absolutely free of charge.
Big Download understands that a five-hour game can be extended by hundreds of hours via total conversions, brand new monsters, and weapons you've always wanted to see in your favorite title. In the spirit of extending a title's longevity beyond mere out-of-the-box expectations, MODmonday celebrates the best modifications for games new and old. Half-Life, Half-Life 2, StarCraft, Diablo II, Doom and more will all be represented here, ensuring a wide spread of mods available across every possible genre of PC gaming.
This week's MODmonday modification continues our examination of classic games and the best mods with which to modernize them. Currently under the microscope is Duke Nukem 3D, and the Duke Nukem High Resolution Pack.
Mod: High Resolution Pack
Download Link
Required Game: Duke Nukem 3D
Installation Instructions:
- Copy the duke3d.grp file from your Duke 3D or Atomic CD to a directory of your choice on your hard drive.
- Download the HRP.
- Run the installation, making sure to install to the same directory where you placed the .grp file.
Running the Mod:
- Click the shortcut under the "Duke Nukem 3D" program group under your Program menu.
Browse the MODmonday Archive
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Last month, Xbox 360 owners got the chance to kick butt and chew bubble gum with a port of Duke Nukem 3D on Xbox Live Arcade. Unfortunately, this left many PC gamers understandably bitter that their platform, on which Duke had originated, was all out of gum, to coin the titular hero's phrase. Xbox 360 gamers may have constant multiplayer servers and a cool rewind feature, but PC gamers can use the Duke Nukem 3D High Resolution Pack to modernize the classic shooter with 3D models for enemies, weapons, and items, as well as smoother textures for the game's environments.
The HRP is a compilation of resources, the sum of which is a beautiful enhancement of both Duke Nukem 3D and the Atomic Edition, which featured additional content. Specifically, HRP collects Jonathon "JonoF" Fowler's JFDuke3D, a port of the original game that added and tweaked Duke 3D's internal workings, and 32-bit textures that add up to four times the graphical fidelity found in the original game. The additions effectively modify key elements of Duke 3D such as the nausea-inducing scroll effect that occurred when turning while staring up at buildings, as well as the sprite models folding into themselves when they appeared above or below your view.
Almost every sprite has been replaced with a quality 3D model that maintains the look and feel of its origin while providing 3D animations. The official HRP website lists a caveat that not every texture and model has been replaced, but these instances didn't stick out when I took the game on a test drive. Everything that needed updating, specifically the enemies and weapon models, has been overhauled, and the result is an even more engrossing experience. Considering that Duke 3D is still quite playable and entertaining without any graphical paint jobs, such a feat is certainly worthy of commendation.
Some of the models, such as Duke's boot, are rather blocky, but that's to be expected given that this package is a fan-made effort. Within that context, the effort is a successful one, as even some of the uglier models won't bother you if you're playing the game in the fast-paced, run-and-gun style in which it was meant to be enjoyed.
An option to cache resources is made available the first time the HRP is launched. Choosing in favor of caching is recommended, as level load times are considerably decreased after the first time their resources are loaded. This benefit carries over to each level that happens to share resources, but the slow load times return every time you quit and relaunch the game.
The lengthy load times that occur upon loading new resources can be lengthy, but as mentioned, caching does lessen these instances.
HRP's detracting points are but slight irritations. If you're part of the devout PC gaming crowd who refuses to play FPS games with a controller, or you're simply in the mood to relive one of the finest action games ever crafted, HRP is worth your time.
Download Link
Required Game: Duke Nukem 3D
Installation Instructions:
- Copy the duke3d.grp file from your Duke 3D or Atomic CD to a directory of your choice on your hard drive.
- Download the HRP.
- Run the installation, making sure to install to the same directory where you placed the .grp file.
Running the Mod:
- Click the shortcut under the "Duke Nukem 3D" program group under your Program menu.
Browse the MODmonday Archive
--
Last month, Xbox 360 owners got the chance to kick butt and chew bubble gum with a port of Duke Nukem 3D on Xbox Live Arcade. Unfortunately, this left many PC gamers understandably bitter that their platform, on which Duke had originated, was all out of gum, to coin the titular hero's phrase. Xbox 360 gamers may have constant multiplayer servers and a cool rewind feature, but PC gamers can use the Duke Nukem 3D High Resolution Pack to modernize the classic shooter with 3D models for enemies, weapons, and items, as well as smoother textures for the game's environments.
The HRP is a compilation of resources, the sum of which is a beautiful enhancement of both Duke Nukem 3D and the Atomic Edition, which featured additional content. Specifically, HRP collects Jonathon "JonoF" Fowler's JFDuke3D, a port of the original game that added and tweaked Duke 3D's internal workings, and 32-bit textures that add up to four times the graphical fidelity found in the original game. The additions effectively modify key elements of Duke 3D such as the nausea-inducing scroll effect that occurred when turning while staring up at buildings, as well as the sprite models folding into themselves when they appeared above or below your view.
Almost every sprite has been replaced with a quality 3D model that maintains the look and feel of its origin while providing 3D animations. The official HRP website lists a caveat that not every texture and model has been replaced, but these instances didn't stick out when I took the game on a test drive. Everything that needed updating, specifically the enemies and weapon models, has been overhauled, and the result is an even more engrossing experience. Considering that Duke 3D is still quite playable and entertaining without any graphical paint jobs, such a feat is certainly worthy of commendation.
Some of the models, such as Duke's boot, are rather blocky, but that's to be expected given that this package is a fan-made effort. Within that context, the effort is a successful one, as even some of the uglier models won't bother you if you're playing the game in the fast-paced, run-and-gun style in which it was meant to be enjoyed.
An option to cache resources is made available the first time the HRP is launched. Choosing in favor of caching is recommended, as level load times are considerably decreased after the first time their resources are loaded. This benefit carries over to each level that happens to share resources, but the slow load times return every time you quit and relaunch the game.
The lengthy load times that occur upon loading new resources can be lengthy, but as mentioned, caching does lessen these instances.
HRP's detracting points are but slight irritations. If you're part of the devout PC gaming crowd who refuses to play FPS games with a controller, or you're simply in the mood to relive one of the finest action games ever crafted, HRP is worth your time.
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where might i be able to get a copy of duke nukem 3d? is there a place on the interweb which sells it? or is it free somewhere? i used to have this way back in the day, and have been wanting to play it again, yet i no longer have the disks as they have disintegrated because of old age. Posted at 4:15PM on Oct 27th 2008 by goog9