NAM

The Good
At first, releasing a DOS-based, Build engine game at a time when games like Quake II, Unreal, and Half-Life already came out seems like a really dumb decision. But developers like TNT Team need the money to buy graphically advanced engines like those used in the aforementioned games, and often release outdated games like NAM to make that money for developing a more graphically advanced game. Even if they could afford a more graphically advanced engine, though, isn't the gameplay what matters the most? Should we really bash a game if it's actually fun to play?

No, we shouldn't. But let's put that whole graphics thing aside for the moment.

NAM is a first-person shooter that takes place in the Vietnam War. Since first-person shooters have been known to immerse the player into the game thanks to their realistic first-person viewpoint, NAM is probably the first game to make the player truly feel like they're actually in the war. Although there are some arcade-ish elements, like running over items to pick them up, everything else is completely realistic. This isn't just a "go through the level, shoot everything that moves, and find the switch to the next level" Doom clone. Even with some fellow soldiers by your side, you actually have to take cover and avoid things like airstrikes, booby traps, and landmines, as running through the levels Doom-style will get you killed really easily. Like I said earlier, the graphics are a bit outdated, but they're actually pretty good for a Build engine game, especially in the SVGA modes.

The Bad
Nothing really. Since this game is actually fun to play, I'll ignore the outdated Build technology.

The Bottom Line
Just like you can't judge a book by it's cover, you can't judge a game by its graphics. Although NAM was released about a year or two too late, it's actually a fun and intense game that feels just like the Vietnam War.

The Good
I actually like nothing about this game. Only a madman would like this game.

The Bad
Everything, the gameplay is utterly dull, the graphics look insanely ugly, the sound effects are completely dull. The game feels like a very bad mod for the game Duke Nukem 3D, which is indirectly true, since before the game was released the game was a half-completed TC for Duke3D with the name Platoon, the irony is that the original TC was actually better. Which had fine hand-drawn graphics (replaced with the awful pre-rendered 3D sprites in the commercial game), and the TC actually had good fun levels (of course, for the commercial game, they made new horrible levels). How they managed to ruin everything in the commerical game is completely bizarre.

The Bottom Line
Run away if you see it... no, burn any copies you may see of it. The game's a sin. If you want a good Build (the Duke3D engine) game, try out Shadow Warrior or the fantastic Blood. Do not play this game. Never ever even look in the same direction.

The bizarre thing is that the game did actually spawn a sequel (WW2GI), how the authors got permission to do that is a big mystery, but the sequel is actually worse.

The Good
Nothing what-so-ever. It uses the same engine as Duke Nukem 3D, and does so horribly.

The Bad

• Horrible graphics, some taken directly from Duke3D and others are just terribly bad.

• Worst sound effects in a game yet.
• Crappy gameplay
• Raycasting in 1998?!?!?!?!?!?!

**The Bottom Line**
In short, this game should have never seen the light of day.