I'm gonna play oldies!

[iddude]

So last time I've played them, I was just checking the games out and my computer has failed. This was around '00. I didn't have money to buy a new PC 'till 2003 or 2004, when I focused on the new stuff (obviously!). Now I wanna check out what I missed.

When I play games I like them in the original form: no new textures, no custom content, no new content, no mods, etc.. I do like higher resolution and better quality textures (assuming they look the same, except not so pixelated).

Since I assume this site is populated more by the fans of those games rather than modders, here's a question: should I use zDoom, should I use Dosbox, or should I use something else? Why?

[Gez]

For playing Doom, Heretic, Hexen, or Strife, I would indeed recommend ZDoom, since you're here. You will be able to get higher resolution easily, and you can even have widescreen formats.

There are tons and tons of Doom mods (especially for Doom II), but if you don't want to play them, you do not have to.

If you're tempted by DOS Box to play the originals exactly as they were, I'd recommend looking at Chocolate Doom first.

[iddude]

I'm looking to play everything: Quake, Doom, Wolfenstein, Strife, Heretic, Hexen, Duke Nukem and something I didn't think of, but I think that's all of them, "the classics." Why do you recommend using zDoom to play them? Are there any changes apart from the higher resolutions available?

How is Chocolate Doom different from the original Doom? I've read that it's based on the released source code, but there is Doom which, logically is the same thing, except has to be played in Dosbox, and I like Dosbox, I use it every day... I can't see the difference other than this.

And yes, I never play any mods. The only "modded" thing that I approve of in my computer is hi-res textures and something that enables higher resolutions.

[Gez]

I like ZDoom because it's an all-in-one program for Doom, Heretic, Hexen, and Strife, and it fixes some bugs, adds some (optional) features I like, and I can set the controls exactly how I want them.

For Quake, Wolfenstein 3D, and Duke Nukem, you'll have to look elsewhere, though.

[iddude]

What kind of bugs and features?

I also like the fact that I can redefine controls, didn't know it wasn't possible.

[Gez]

Too many to list! For an overview of bugs in the original Doom game, look here, and to get an overview of ZDoom features you can start here.

[iddude]

I wonder if I can turn off certain features in that list?

As for the bug list - that's expansive! Good thing I've asked this.

[wildweasel]

ZDoom does have some compatibility and gameplay options, mainly things like disabling jump/crouch, forcing certain map behaviors to revert back to Doom original instead of the less-buggy ZDoom versions. Not everything can be exactly as vanilla Doom, though, so your mileage may vary.

Personally, I stick with ZDoom anyway, but mainly because I'm a modder. I played the original vanilla Doom 1 and 2 so many times through my younger days that I'm quite tired of them, so I spend my time making mods to spice them up.

[printz]

For better "oldie" compatibility, I recommend PrBoom-Plus instead, though it only supports Doom, Doom 2 and Final Doom.

[Enjay]

Of course, if mods were being considered (which I note they're not) then these days there could possibly be a case for some mods that use ZDoom features being considered "oldies" too given that some ZDoom mods are well over a decade old.

[Gez]

For better "oldie" compatibility, I recommend PrBoom-Plus instead, though it only supports Doom, Doom 2 and Final Doom.

The thing is, the compatibility offered by PrBoom+ only matters if you #1 are incredibly nitpicky about the most subtle things, and #2 want to play several limit-removing or Boom compatible mods. iddude as stated that #2 doesn't apply to him; so it's only a question of whether #1 applies. So, for example, is it important for your capacity to enjoy the game that when you shoot at a monster and that this monster's position in the blockmap -- the invisible grid which helps the game manage collisions -- is just so, half of your shots will pass through it without harming it? Do you need to have invulnerable ghost monsters that noclip through the walls attacking you if an arch-vile resurrects a monster that was killed in a doorway?

[iddude]

While I'm very picky and observant, I certain don't want bugs, though I'd prefer bugs over customized content, as I dislike modded stuff (I guess mostly that'd appearance though).

By the way, is there a hi-res mod for Doom games? I believe zDoom only offers higher resolutions, but not higher quality textures.

[wildweasel]

By the way, is there a hi-res mod for Doom games? I believe zDoom only offers higher resolutions, but not higher quality textures.

There is a high-res texture pack floating around somewhere, but I forget where to get it.

You might want to keep an eye on these two promising projects:

• Reinchard's high-res textures
• Thief666's 8x sprites

[LkMax]

Wolfenstein & Spear = Wolf4SDL
Doom, Heretic, Hexen, Strife = ZDoom or GZDoom
Duke Nukem 3D = Eduke32
Quake = DirectQ or DarkPlaces

[Xaser]

If you're willing to wait a couple of days for Wolf/Spear, there's a newer, better port that just so happens to be scheduled for very-soon release.