A playable build of Duke Nukem 3D: Reloaded has surfaced online, complete with a download link if you want to try the title out for yourself. Ensure you read the enclosed Read Me file for installation instructions.
Duke Nukem 3D: Reloaded started life as a fan remake called “Duke Nukem Next-Gen”. These days, it’s all too common to see fan projects get slammed with a cease and desist notice, but official permission was sought and granted in this case.
Frederick Schreiber, the project lead for Duke Nukem Next-Gen, eventually became the CEO of 3D Realms! Unfortunately, Duke Nukem 3D: Reloaded‘s development met a rather unceremonious end shortly after Duke Nukem Forever‘s launch.
The build is far from finished but offers a decent glimpse at what the game could have been. Gameplay-wise, it’s clearly very early in development, but the movement and ridiculous voice lines are reminiscent of old Quake and Counterstrike Source lobbies. Neither of those is a bad thing.
Few well-known video game protagonists have had as rough of a time as Duke Nukem. The Duke’s latest adventure, 2011’s Duke Nukem Forever, was torn apart by critics but sold well enough to scrape a profit. Sadly, thanks to an incredibly messy and public spat between 3D Realms and Gearbox, I doubt we will see a new official game in the series any time soon. Unofficially though? We can keep our fingers crossed.
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