Right, so I've heard it all about this particular port of Doom to Sega's ill-fated 32X console. Some detractors of this game will even swear to you that it's the worst port of Doom there is. They'll tell you how terrible this game is compared to the other ports of Doom. They complain about the music, the mere 15 levels, It's graphics (because the box apparently had misleading screen shots on the back cover, and the enemy sprites only display from the front) and the most invalid complaint, the fact that it has no multiplayer compatibility.
While the first three have some validity to them (most notably the cut in levels), I'd honestly love for those people who blurt out these same complaints (as if they read them somewhere and now mindlessly repeat them which is probably the case) to tell me how many gamers actually gave two drops of monkey urine about multiplayer in console FPS games until Goldeneye hit in 1997? It's true, a lot of the other Doom console ports supported multiplayer (in a setup similar to Lan where you needed two consoles, and two copies of the game, because they couldn't handle split screen), but it's really not a valid complaint to wage against the game, because the vast majority of gamers who owned and played the other console ports never played their multiplayer modes either. Once again, console MP didn't become truly popular until Goldeneye 007 on the N64. Most of those who attack Doom 32X for the lack of multiplayer probably don't remember much about the period of gaming Doom was released in.
The most valid complaint waged against this port of Doom, and why I can understand when some people say this version of Doom is the weakest is the lack of levels. The 32X port of Doom only has a grand total of 17 levels (15 regular, and 2 hidden). The game was apparently rushed, so it shipped only with levels from the first two Episodes of the PC original. This means that while playing through the game legitimately, you can't get the BFG 9,000 (you can with cheats, but if you activate them, you can't see the legitimate ending of the game, or player the two hidden levels) because it was only in the third episode in the PC original. It also means that the game is missing some of the boss characters (like the Cyber Demon). This is unfortunate for sure, and as far as the levels available, this certainly is the most disappointing version. Add in the misleading screenshots of the game that showed it running in full screen when it indeed did not, and I can understand why some of those who paid full price for Doom 32X may have been disappointed by the game.
The game also has no way to save it. Instead, you can choose to skip to any of the 15 levels you like from the title screen. This isn't a huge deal to me though considering the technology of the day.
While the sound effects are spot on, the music in this version is, how do you say, not very good. You see, for the music they used the Sega Genesis' sound chip, and while the Genesis could make some heavenly music when used right (Streets of Rage anyone), it could also make a terrible ruckus when improperly used. It'd be ignorance to believe that the Genesis would be able to faithfully reproduce the music in the PC original. However, I do believe the the developers could have done a better job. The music in Doom 32X is less than flattering, but for those who are so offended by it, there's the option to turn it off. That being said, I kinda like the music in this version. If you jumped straight from the PC version to this version, of course it's going to sound terrible, because it's not what you're used to, but after long periods of play, it kinda grows on you. I know you're thinking I'm insane right now, but give it a chance. Take it for what it is, and you may be able to stand it.
So you may be asking yourself, has no multiplayer, so this version has half the levels, terrible music, is missing weapons, is missing enemies, so why aren't you telling me that this game is terrible like the rest of the crowd? The answer my friends is a simple one. Beyond all the flaws in this port of Doom, it still maintains the classic Doom feel, and gameplay that made the PC version such a blast.
Even with half the levels, and all the complaints that can be levied at this port of Doom, the 32X version is still a blast to play. I've noticed that a lot of those who criticize the 32X port fail to talk about the gameplay contained within, because most of them have never played it (aside from maybe playing a crappy rom of it on the computer that is). Irregardless of the form you play it in, Doom's gameplay has never sucked. Those who would criticize the 32X port as being a "terrible game" are in fact unwittingly criticizing Doom's gameplay. It's one thing if you never liked Doom, but it's a whole nother thing if you're calling the 32X version of Doom which looks better, runs smoother, and plays smoother than the Snes version (who's fans are usually the quickest to criticize the 32X version), crap because you're a huge fan of Doom, because the 32X maintains the intense feel of the gameplay in the PC original.
It may not run as well as the PC version, look as pretty as the PC version, and may only show the front side of objects, and enemies, but Doom 32X is still a blast to play. Its maintains that classic Doom feel of exploring hellacious environments while dispatching hordes upon hordes of baddies. Like I said, Doom's gameplay has never sucked. Not even in a degraded form.
Helping the game's play is that fact that the controls are responsive, and work well on the Genesis 6-button pad. The only hitch is that you have to hold the C button and move on the D-pad in order to sidestep, which takes some getting used to, but you get the hang of over time. Even the mighty 6-button arcade pad for the Genesis only had so many buttons to go around.
Bottom Line: Though this is the worse port of Doom when it comes to missing levels, enemies, and the BFG, it's not the worst playing port of Doom out there. It still maintains the same addictive gameplay as the PC original, and from a gameplay standpoint is a very fun game in it's own right. I can't recommend you buying a 32X just to play this port, but if you're one of the few with a working 32X, there's no reason not to get Doom 32X. It's a fun game in it's own right, and it's not like the 32X's library has a lot of other options.
Here is a vid I uploaded to Youtube showing the game in action: