Today’s game is Doom 64. Why 64? I’m not exactly sure why but it was the one I felt most attached to playing. I own Doom 2 on the switch, but I hate sharing screenshots off that thing (it feels like advertising even if not expressly stated and they’re just a pain to download overall. Plus: I hate compression), but 64 I guess just seemed more interesting to me.

I played through the first 2 levels, and compared to 2 or even something like quake (which I think it’s similar too), I think this game unsettles me. Like. 2 feels like your standard rip and tear. But doom 64? I feel like there’s something almost going to pop out from a corner and get me. It’s a weird feeling.

Not helping this feeling was the second level. I struggled to get through it and killed everything. I was left alone listening to the ambience for quite a while. And I’m embarrassed to admit it’s partly because I didn’t realize I could run.

My general feeling of discomfort aside, I like this. Something about the way Doom 64 looks appeals to me more. It’s entirely possible it’s a placebo, but also I can’t really reference it right now as I’m writing this.

I like the almost bright aesthetic some of the rooms have. I almost thought I was missing textures at first, but I think that’s just how this thing looks. Also. I love escalators. So that’s bonus points from me.

I also like the enemies, and not to come off as sadistic, but especially the way they die. There’s something oddly charming about the way they look and the way they crumble into a sprite on the ground.

Overall I kind of liked Doom 64 though. The uneasy feeling was interesting. It’s been a while since I’ve been unsettled by a game I (assume) wasn’t trying to scare me. And the gameplay is doom. I think if I had a little more perseverance I could probably play through Doom 64, but my hand eye coordination hasn’t been the best lately and neither has my sleep, so maybe no major binges any time soon