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Digital Foundry: New Doom Patch Is Brilliant: Disappointing Ports Are Now Must-Buy Purchases
- Thread starter chandoog
- Start date
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TL;DR
- Before patches: Incorrect lighting, stretched aspect ratio, broken music.
- Now: One of the most significant game updates DF has seen.
- An initial patch fixed the lighting and music playback a few months ago.
- No more Bathesda login needed anymore either.
- Latest patch adds support for Add-On's, with additional WAD's being curated.
- Real time MIDI playback added.
- Frame rate improved to full 60 FPS via sub-frame interpolation. The game logic still runs at 35 FPS (however to human eyes it looks like a stable 60 FPS)
- WAD's like Sigil can incur minor dips, but not a big deal. Not really an issue on PS4 Pro, but Switch has some slowdowns and base PS4 has slight more slowdowns than Switch.
- Switch resolution dropped to 400p, PS4 runs at 600p.
- Minor judder generally (35 FPS logic running at 60 hz) but much better than before.
- Proper 4 : 3 aspect ratio mode added along with 16 : 10.
- Uneven pixel scaling in either visual mode which can cause some distortion.
- Level Select added and weapon select modified.
- "Game" and "Level" brightness sliders added.
- Wolfenstein inspired bonus stages also restored.
- If you utilize the console's Sleep Mode, restoring from this state will cause pauses. Fix is to close game and start again.
- Some additional latency noticed, not a huge problem but could be further improved.
- Mobile port also updated and received support for Add-On's.
- Before patches: Incorrect lighting, stretched aspect ratio, broken music.
- Now: One of the most significant game updates DF has seen.
- An initial patch fixed the lighting and music playback a few months ago.
- No more Bathesda login needed anymore either.
- Latest patch adds support for Add-On's, with additional WAD's being curated.
- Real time MIDI playback added.
- Frame rate improved to full 60 FPS via sub-frame interpolation. The game logic still runs at 35 FPS (however to human eyes it looks like a stable 60 FPS)
- WAD's like Sigil can incur minor dips, but not a big deal. Not really an issue on PS4 Pro, but Switch has some slowdowns and base PS4 has slight more slowdowns than Switch.
- Switch resolution dropped to 400p, PS4 runs at 600p.
- Minor judder generally (35 FPS logic running at 60 hz) but much better than before.
- Proper 4 : 3 aspect ratio mode added along with 16 : 10.
- Uneven pixel scaling in either visual mode which can cause some distortion.
- Level Select added and weapon select modified.
- "Game" and "Level" brightness sliders added.
- Wolfenstein inspired bonus stages also restored.
- If you utilize the console's Sleep Mode, restoring from this state will cause pauses. Fix is to close game and start again.
- Some additional latency noticed, not a huge problem but could be further improved.
- Mobile port also updated and received support for Add-On's.
I was positive about it at first, but it's pretty consistently buggy for me. If I resume the game after having it suspended, 9 times out of 10 I get a pop up of the main menu after a few minutes of gameplay. I can still play, but saving isn't possible and inputs control the menu as well as the game. Very frustrating.
They fixed a lot of issues with these ports, but I'd still consider them janky as hell.
They fixed a lot of issues with these ports, but I'd still consider them janky as hell.
"Disappointing Ports Are Now Must-Buy Purchases"
These games are great. Go for it.
Surprised the frame-pacing issue on XBO wasn't mentioned.
EDIT: Minor judder mention. I wouldn't call it minor! Annoyed the hell out of me, you can see a stutter (like a framedrop) every couple hundred milliseconds. Probably isn't so obvious on a LCD.
EDIT: Minor judder mention. I wouldn't call it minor! Annoyed the hell out of me, you can see a stutter (like a framedrop) every couple hundred milliseconds. Probably isn't so obvious on a LCD.
Yeah, these patches turned solid but slightly disappointing ports into near-perfect versions of the formula.
Doom 1 now includes both Final Doom episodes along with Sigil, while Doom 2 includes both Final Doom campaigns too along with the XBLA exclusive campaign they had on the 2010 port for X360. Both games feature 60fps which feels really great, both versions have level select and quick save/load, there's quick weapon select assignments to the D-pad which is handy as hell, along with all kinds of technical improvements. Sure, getting the WADs on PC and using one of the many source ports is the best way to play: can use KB+M, custom WADs, set up the game in any possible way, use mods and whatever. But for 5 bucks each these ports run beautifully on consoles, including the portable Switch, which also means there's finally a legal and competent handheld version of Doom 1, 2, Final Doom, and even Sigil. Excited that more (at this unofficial) WADs are gonna join the games in time, for 10 bucks having hundreds of levels of one of the best game( combo)s ever made is quite the deal, even if you already have the game on PC as you should.
Doom 1 now includes both Final Doom episodes along with Sigil, while Doom 2 includes both Final Doom campaigns too along with the XBLA exclusive campaign they had on the 2010 port for X360. Both games feature 60fps which feels really great, both versions have level select and quick save/load, there's quick weapon select assignments to the D-pad which is handy as hell, along with all kinds of technical improvements. Sure, getting the WADs on PC and using one of the many source ports is the best way to play: can use KB+M, custom WADs, set up the game in any possible way, use mods and whatever. But for 5 bucks each these ports run beautifully on consoles, including the portable Switch, which also means there's finally a legal and competent handheld version of Doom 1, 2, Final Doom, and even Sigil. Excited that more (at this unofficial) WADs are gonna join the games in time, for 10 bucks having hundreds of levels of one of the best game( combo)s ever made is quite the deal, even if you already have the game on PC as you should.
Feels like a frameskip every 200 milliseconds, I find it really annoying. Really obvious if you pan the camera slowly. I haven't tried the Switch version again to compare yet.
It might be the same as the minor judder you mentioned but perhaps more obvious on OLED due to the response rate.
I knew there was some weird latency issue playing on Switch, it makes shooting really difficult.
I'm suprised there's no mention of the weird positional audio issues such as when the gun can sometimes only be heard on the left or right speaker. I may be mistaken, but I can't remember having been bothered by such issues in any other version of the game and it's quite distracting when using headphones.
I already have Ultimate doom, final doom and master levels on steam. Is the PS4/XBO update worth playing there instead?
Probably anything that's compatible with the original engine and not relying on sourceport-specific features introduced by gzDoom and the likes.
There are about 100 ways to play DOOM on the PC, all of them are as good as these ports, and most of them have numerous additional features.
On PC you can use any source port, mod, custom WAD, customize the shit out of your game basically so no, it doesn't beat PC. It's quite easily the best and most complete port we have right now however, unless you're looking for online play: that is present on the last-gen ports but not in this one sadly. Only local co-op and multiplayer is present.
Got the Switch version of Doom 1 this past weekend due to the patch notes. I play on the Lite so its handheld only.
4:3 looks glorious on the go. Framerate is amazing. Best version of Doom 1 for me as I like it more on the small screen.
4:3 looks glorious on the go. Framerate is amazing. Best version of Doom 1 for me as I like it more on the small screen.
Sure, they're cheap and decent. There's some issues outstanding but as far as sitting down and playing Doom on a portable device it is a great option.
I posted this in the other thread, seems potentially appropriate here:
Extra Sauce said:
Here are a couple.
Save 77% on Project Warlock on Steam
Project Warlock is a first-person shooter that fans of Doom, Hexen, and Wolfenstein cannot miss. It serves you an exploding cocktail of bullets, spells, and monsters. Battle through 60 levels of non-stop action, packed with bloodthirsty enemies and challenging bosses.
Ion Fury on Steam
3D Realms, creators of Duke Nukem 3D, Prey, and Max Payne, are excited to team up with Voidpoint to bring back the legendary Build Engine, famously known for classic first-person shooters like Duke Nukem 3D, Shadow Warrior, and Blood. Ion Fury is the real deal!
The definitive versions are fan-made source ports basically. So the best thing you can do is pick up any version of the game (Steam is fine), then use the WAD files included in them that will serve as the base games for whatever source port you decide to use. It also opens you up towards an endless world of custom maps and mods made by the community, and an insane amount of QOL changes, compatibility stuff, or even modern game styles if you so prefer (some ports allow you to look around vertically, others have actual 3D models, etc.). The best way to play Doom right now is get in the hands of the community and enjoy how they evolved Doom throughout the past 27 years or so.
Runs at (more or less) 60 fps in handheld, which feels like black magic. Resurrection of Evil is worth the price on its own.
Maybe there's some variation in how bad some are getting the issues.
IE: DF says there was minor lag introduced but for me it's 100% unplayable- and I'm not very picky about input lag coming from a super laggy Vizio in the past.
I'm going to try rebuilding the database on my PS4 Pro (sometimes this helps I hear) and try again. It's also worth noting that I felt like the input lag was a small bit worse with a loaded save than it was with a new game.
Doom64 is definitely not compatible with the classic engine, least of all any part of this port.
best bet is to grab the steam version and run it with a source port. there's about a gorillion and a half to choose from nowadays, but the main options boil down to:
GZDoom - most popular and most modern with loads of whiz-bang features and is the primary port for advanced modding. can be overwhelming with the amount of options and customization.
Chocolate/Crispy Doom - more conservative source ports that try to maintain a more pure classic doom feel.
PRBoom+ - more or less the in-between option.
does the switch version support HD rumble at least? So exclusive features I guess.
My only issue with these is, will I have access to them on next Gen consoles? Because I sure as hell don't have access to the 360 versions I purchased and was able to play until these came out. I really don't want to have to keep buying these over and over again because they just feel like re-releasing them again.
I really wish these were available for owners of the GOG or Steam versions of Doom 1 and 2, and not just the twelve people who bought them on Bethesda.net. *sigh*
Yes, I know the PC version is easily the way to play, since you can use whatever sourceport and WAD combination you want. But it'd be nice to have versions playable on this level with a simple download.
Yes, I know the PC version is easily the way to play, since you can use whatever sourceport and WAD combination you want. But it'd be nice to have versions playable on this level with a simple download.
and I'll be able to get all these new features such as 60 fps and the John Romero newly released map?
I tried the original on my switch and just didn't enjoy it with the joycons. Seemed fine though. It's definitely Doom and the online bs is gone and the music wasn't all messed up.
It's not complicated to get GZDoom running: https://zdoom.org/downloads
Source ports can run at far higher frame rates than 60. Sigil is free to download here: https://www.romerogames.ie/si6il
Not sure if they are still playable on the 360 but they don't even come up on the Xbone.
Wow, and I bought Doom 2 just last year. I'll definitely stay away from these then.
I mean, I only played it on OLED and using HDMI to VGA on a CRT. The issue you're talking about is not present on PS4 and Switch outside of the slowdown in Sigil.
If you're getting a regular hitch that's super bizarre. :\
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You have been able to run Doom at a million fps on pc ports for over a decade, and yes you can play Sigil.
Here are a couple.
Save 77% on Project Warlock on Steam
Project Warlock is a first-person shooter that fans of Doom, Hexen, and Wolfenstein cannot miss. It serves you an exploding cocktail of bullets, spells, and monsters. Battle through 60 levels of non-stop action, packed with bloodthirsty enemies and challenging bosses.store.steampowered.com
Ion Fury on Steam
3D Realms, creators of Duke Nukem 3D, Prey, and Max Payne, are excited to team up with Voidpoint to bring back the legendary Build Engine, famously known for classic first-person shooters like Duke Nukem 3D, Shadow Warrior, and Blood. Ion Fury is the real deal!
thanks! as I said in that other thread, Ion Fury looks awesome and I am delighted to read that console ports are in the works.