Duke Nukem 3D could be extra precisely described as Duke Nukem 2.5D, given how its Construct engine blends three-dimensional world geometry with flat sprites for in-game objects and characters. Positive, it will have offered far fewer copies with such a title, however not less than it will have been appropriate. Now, although, it will not be lengthy till 3D Realms’ 1996 shooter totally embraces size, breadth and depth, thanks to at least one intrepid modder completely obsessive about voxels.
Stated modder is Dan Peterson, who goes by the monicker Cheello, a recreation developer specialising in voxel tech who spends his spare time bulking out basic 90s shooters utilizing the pixel’s three-dimensional equal. Peterson’s first mission was Blood: Coagulated, which replaces the enemies and objects of Monolith’s 1997 shooter with fatter, voxel-based variations. However Peterson is greatest identified for his 2022 mod Voxel Doom, which introduced us chunky pinkies, beefier hellknights, and really spherical Cacodemons.
Now, Peterson has revealed Voxel Duke Nukem 3D, debuting the project in a trailer on YouTube. “All monsters, babes, props and more have been fully converted to 3D voxel models.” Peterson writes in the trailer description. “Blast your way through the first 3 original episodes with voxelized assets, creating a modernized feel to Duke like never before.”
It appears Voxel Duke Nukem 3D has been a significantly heavier raise than Peterson’s earlier initiatives. Over on X, Peterson says Voxel Duke Nukem 3D was “3 years within the making” and options “Almost a thousand voxels.”
Whereas the trailer solely provides us a sliver of the sport to guage from, it seems Peterson has outdone himself. Its voxel-ized house shuttles, blimps and pig-cops mix much more naturally with 3D Realm’s blocky city areas than Voxel Doom’s swole demons. Granted, Duke Nukem 3D’s extra muted artwork fashion might help issues right here, however nonetheless, it is sterling work.
This is not the primary time a developer has tried to pour further protein powder down Duke’s 2.5D throat. An Unreal Engine 3 remake of Duke 3D was in growth at Interceptor Leisure circa 2010. This was placed on indefinite maintain because of a dispute between Interceptor and the remake’s writer, Gearbox. However a construct of it leaked online in 2023, giving us some concept of what it will have appeared like. 3D Realms additionally remade Duke 3D’s most well-known degree—Hollywood Holocaust, within the authentic Unreal engine, whereas creating the abandoned 2001 build of Duke Nukem Forever.
There isn’t any launch date for Voxel Duke Nukem 3D but—Peterson merely says it is “coming quickly”. However in contrast to 3D Realms, Peterson has demonstrated a flair for really ending his initiatives, so I really feel snug taking him at his phrase.
