Summary
- Release Year: 1995
- Genres: Adventure, Indie, Shooter
- Platforms: Amiga, Amiga CD32
- Developers: Black Magic Software
- Publishers: Guildhall
Gloom (1995): A Gloomy Doom Clone
Gloom is a first-person shooter video game developed and published by Team17 for the Amiga in 1995. It is a clone of the popular game Doom, and was one of the first games to bring the 3D FPS genre to the Amiga.
Gloom was developed by a small team of programmers over the course of two years. The team was led by Henk Nieborg, who had previously worked on the Amiga version of Wolfenstein 3D.
The game was released to critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its graphics, gameplay, and sound. However, it was also criticized for its high difficulty level and lack of innovation.
Despite its flaws, Gloom was a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies worldwide. It was followed by a sequel, Gloom 2, in 1997.
Gameplay
Gloom is a first-person shooter in which the player takes control of a space marine who must fight his way through hordes of demons and other monsters. The game is set in a dark and gloomy environment, with levels that take place in abandoned buildings, sewers, and other creepy locations.
The player is armed with a variety of weapons, including pistols, shotguns, and rocket launchers. He must use these weapons to defeat the enemies and progress through the game.
The game features a variety of enemies, each with their own unique abilities and weaknesses. Some enemies are fast and agile, while others are slow and powerful. The player must use different strategies to defeat each type of enemy.
The game also features a number of puzzles that the player must solve in order to progress. These puzzles are often based on environmental cues, such as switches and levers.
Graphics
Gloom’s graphics are impressive for an Amiga game. The game uses a 3D engine to create a dark and gloomy environment that is full of detail. The character models are well-animated, and the enemies are suitably grotesque.
The game’s lighting effects are also very good. The levels are lit dynamically, which creates a sense of atmosphere and immersion.
Sound
Gloom’s sound is also very good. The game’s music is dark and brooding, and it helps to create a sense of tension and suspense. The sound effects are also very well done, and they help to bring the game’s world to life.
Difficulty
Gloom is a very difficult game. The enemies are tough, and the levels are long and challenging. The game also features a number of traps and obstacles that can easily kill the player.
However, the game’s difficulty is also one of its strengths. It provides a real sense of accomplishment when the player finally overcomes a difficult challenge.
Innovation
Gloom is not a particularly innovative game. It is a clone of Doom, and it does not really do anything new. However, it is still a very well-made game, and it is one of the best FPS games available on the Amiga.
Conclusion
Gloom is a classic Amiga FPS that is still worth playing today. It is a challenging and rewarding game with great graphics, sound, and gameplay. If you are a fan of Doom or other classic FPS games, then you should definitely check out Gloom.
Trivia
- Gloom was one of the first games to use the Build engine, which was later used in Duke Nukem 3D and Shadow Warrior.
- The game’s soundtrack was composed by Jesper Kyd, who has also composed music for the Hitman and Assassin’s Creed series.
- Gloom was banned in Germany due to its violence.
Review Score
7/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
