Cool.

It is no replacement for the classics from id Software but it is the best way to get people that have never played and enjoyed the gratification that is of playing a fast-paced first person shooter that starts doing two things in the simplest, and with that efficient, way to get your blood pumping and adrenaline glands whirring: introduces you some punishing enemies with almost one-shot kills and speed.

If you have ever listened to the old Metallica standard, Battery, then you know that it’s one of the fastest songs that you’ll ever hear from a thrash metal band (although I’m sure there there are faster) but the pacing in the song is as approximate as you’ll get to the particular speed that allows you enjoy the ride but not lose yourself in the g-forces of the instrumentation arrangement. Critics and naysayers can say otherwise but let’s face it: the very first song of Doom was none than Master of Puppets thus if that game was to that song, then Dusk is to Battery. End of discussion and by the way the best version is the one found in the 1999 S&M album.

Gameplay is about living or dying.

Unlike traditional fast paced first-person shooters this is a strange one but the rules are the same as always: kill or be killed. That’s simple. The reasons and motivations are going to fade once you understand where you are starting, where you should be going, and you’ll know you’re going to the right direction if you find yourself getting shot or ambushed and the enemies felled that you leave behind as touchstones.

The amazing thing is that this game intentionally lets you know that it’s all about distilling everything down to essence. Some will say that’s very “punk rock” I say it’s thrash metal.

Story

A cult that deals with something magical involving some form of a deadly interpretation of Thelemic magic or some such - ahh forget it who cares?

All there is to know is that you’re a heretic to the old order that you used to belong and they want you dead because you’re there to do some borderline mystical stuff.

In real life, it’s not humans that are your enemies but demons, principalities and such but in this game, they may as well be one and the same so it’s go time.

Soundtrack

Encyclopedia Dramatica, 4chin, that website with the stupid alien mascot may all talk hot garbage about metal. But everybody knows that the soundtrack of honest violence is not some juxtaposed easy listening like some Micheal Moore film, no it’s metal.

Honest, simple metal.

Fun Factor

The fun factor lies on simplicity so here it goes: One end of the gun points at the enemy and the other end leans on you, sort of.

And you run around avoiding getting shot at all.

Simple right? Okay go!

Final Score

I give it 7 ugly displays of power on 7 seven faces under 30.