[NNC]

XXX Stacy really felt like an E3 level for me with its square outside locations and random alien stuff connected to random city locations. I actually liked it for two reasons: 1. return of real babes, 2. Sentry Drone cameo (it only has two short appearances in E4).

[MetHy]

Thread bump from the past.

I just replayed the entire game for the XXXth time (Come Get Some, pistol start each map) and changed my vote. Every time I play through the game I see it under a different angle and every time I love the game a bit more.

I have to say that I think ep3 is the weakest. Overall enemy placement is all over the place and gameplay isn't as tight as in the other episodes. It's also the episode with the least crazy layouts and effects.

Ep2 is clearly underrated, the fact that the design isn't rooted in realism made them go wild. There are sick slopes everywhere, and tons of crazy level layouts and effects all the time.

I think The Birth takes the cake though. Every map is a masterpiece of classic DN3D level design, except maybe Critical Mass which is more linear and conceptual with its traps, but even that is a welcome change of pace.

The Birth re-defined the game, Duke as a character and the entire franchise. The way we now picture Duke Nukem 3D and Duke Nukem, with the comedy/parody aspect, the ultra thematic levels, it all comes from The Birth. The comical/parody aspect were barely present in 1.3 outside of the occasional easter egg, and yet that's how we picture Duke now.
This episode had a huge influence on usermaps as well.

On a side note, I played in DOSbox and I used v1.3 for the first three episodes. I have to say that I liked the slimers better in 1.3, in which they are actually a threat (you can't kick them when they're stuck on your face). They became pointless in 1.4. I almost feel like replaying Duke It Out In DC and Caribbean Life using 1.3 just for that.
I know I've said it already but I think it's a shame that in EDuke32 there is no option to revert back slimer and kick behaviour to what they were in 1.3.

[FistMarine]

My favorite episodes are the first 3 episodes. Since I was young, I had the original full version 1.3D of the game (it wasn't an original copy, it was included on a CD called 3D Action Games Collection) and I liked and played all 3 episodes equally. Because of that, I can't choose which one is better, so I voted for first 3 episodes.

It was in 2008 when I got Atomic Edition for first time. I've only played The Birth a couple of times since then and while I really liked the episode, I still prefer to this day the original 3 episodes.

Quote

On a side note, I played in DOSbox and I used v1.3 for the first three episodes. I have to say that I liked the slimers better in 1.3, in which they are actually a threat (you can't kick them when they're stuck on your face). They became pointless in 1.4. I almost feel like replaying Duke It Out In DC and Caribbean Life using 1.3 just for that.
I know I've said it already but I think it's a shame that in EDuke32 there is no option to revert back slimer and kick behaviour to what they were in 1.3.

Funnily enough, while last summer I used Atomic 1.5 for original episodes and expansions in DOSBox, the next time I will replay Duke3D and expansions, I will also play in DOSBox but this time I will use 1.3D for original 3 episodes, as well as for Duke It Out In DC and Duke Caribbean, while I will use Atomic 1.5 for The Birth and Nuclear Winter. And that's mostly because there are a couple of differences in 1.3D, such as being able to kick with both feet at same time, the original E3 ending screen, the fact that DC and Caribbean were originally made for version 1.3D and list continues. Of course it also comes with a few disadvantages such as not being able to kick the slimer off face.

[FrozenParticle]

L.A Meltdown is my favourite episode. Obviously since it was the widely distributed shareware episode, it needed to be polished and great... and it certainly was. Lunar Apocalypse kinda bugged me because of its cramped spaces and annoying monster placement, but the third episode is very good, like L.A Meltdown.

[PsychoGoatee]

L.A. Meltdown is my fav too, though I really dig episode 4 a lot and that's right up there for me. And Episode 3 is close, maybe that'll get closer to LA Meltdown on my next replay. Love all four episodes.

[PikaCommando]

L.A. Meltdown simply because it doesn't have Protozoid Slimers.

[Kathy]

MetHy, on 12 June 2016 - 04:48 AM, said:

The Birth re-defined the game, Duke as a character and the entire franchise. The way we now picture Duke Nukem 3D and Duke Nukem, with the comedy/parody aspect, the ultra thematic levels, it all comes from The Birth. The comical/parody aspect were barely present in 1.3 outside of the occasional easter egg, and yet that's how we picture Duke now.
This episode had a huge influence on usermaps as well.

That's an interesting thought. Probably yeah, 1.4 decided to ride on Duke's character a bit more since it was obvious he was popular aspect of original game.

Quote

On a side note, I played in DOSbox and I used v1.3 for the first three episodes. I have to say that I liked the slimers better in 1.3, in which they are actually a threat (you can't kick them when they're stuck on your face). They became pointless in 1.4. I almost feel like replaying Duke It Out In DC and Caribbean Life using 1.3 just for that.
I know I've said it already but I think it's a shame that in EDuke32 there is no option to revert back slimer and kick behaviour to what they were in 1.3.

I actually noticed this only recently. I think I also mostly played the 1.3 version and always disliked slimer for being a pain to kill. So I can agree with you that this behaviour should have remained.

[AdrenalinDragon]

I don't know if I can say which of mine is a favourite. The original four episodes are all masterpieces in their own different ways. However, I've got a feeling the new Alien World Order episode will probably be the worst.

[PsychoGoatee]

Just for the record, halfway through, Alien World Order might be one of the best! I'll say those first three city maps are for me the three best maps in a row of any Duke episode. Granted, I'm excited and they're brand new, but really I think this compares very favorably. I think a lot of Duke fans will find it better than some of the original episodes, especially episode 2 for most (like this poll shows).

[----]

The art, the lighting, the level design in the first map (Amsterdam) in Alien World Order made me uninstall the game after I reached Moscow. Everything is completely uninspired.

[PsychoGoatee]

So you didn't play Moscow? Sounds like you were in a rush to uninstall it regardless. It's all personal taste, but at least try both mappers once before discrediting the episode overall. And personally I found the stuff that happens when you go around in the last area of the first map very very inspired. Subtle and interesting.

[AdrenalinDragon]

Heer's my ranking for the Duke3D episodes:

The original 4 episodes >>>>>>>>>>>>> Alien World Order

[Lunick]

I hope you guys don't mind but I edited the poll to include all official episodes of the game so delete your vote if you wish to revise your choices.

[MetHy]

Lunick, on 12 October 2016 - 03:48 AM, said:

if you wish to revise your choices.

Always here to cheer everyone up with yours jokes, huh

[PsychoGoatee]

Changed my vote to Alien World Order, baby. "Small fun city map challenge" indeed, it's like these maps were made for me, right up my alley. (pun intended) My favorite kind of map done masterfully by these legends. Not that these were small, just they had that kind of cozy vibe to them, fun areas to explore but generally not getting lost. Although it had some clever progression too.

And the maps that go outside of that description, Mirage Barrage, Prima Arena, Golden Carnage, those are incredibly top shelf maps too. Overall for me it's a nice choice for fav episode, and I feel like it'll be fun to blast through these again over the years too.

[NightFright]

How come nobody besides me voted for Life's A Beach until now? It's the ONLY Duke addon with proper new JSJ Duketalk that doesn't sound pussified.

[Captain Massive]

lunar apocalypse %100

Levelords maps stink on ice.

Allen Blum made most of the maps anyways, thank goodness.

[AdrenalinDragon]

NightFright, on 13 October 2016 - 07:30 AM, said:

How come nobody besides me voted for Life's A Beach until now? It's the ONLY Duke addon with proper new JSJ Duketalk that doesn't sound pussified.

The original 4 episodes beat it out for me. I gave all the Atomic Edition episodes a 10/10 and Duke Carribean a 9/10.

[LkMax]

NightFright, on 13 October 2016 - 07:30 AM, said:

How come nobody besides me voted for Life's A Beach until now? It's the ONLY Duke addon with proper new JSJ Duketalk that doesn't sound pussified.

Because I can only choose one.
I voted Lunar Apocalypse. I think it's underappreciated compared to the original episodes.

[brullov]

I like only first 3 original episodes. Other just good. Have not played WT though.

[PikaCommando]

Alien World Order is the best episode name imo.

The only thing that beats it is Hollywood Holocaust, but that's a map name.

[AdrenalinDragon]

Just gave Nuclear Winter a pity vote