First off, this is going to be a somewhat controversial review as I am the small majority who legitimately like the game. I am very much aware how much this game is hated amongst the Duke fandom for not living up to the hype it was built upon. But, I never really grew up with these games, my parents were the sort of parents to limit what I played to E's and T's, and I thus wasn't able to play 3D back in the day.

I wouldn't even say I had experience with the Duke until I played DN Advance on the GBA when I was 16 years old. So Forever was the first experience I had with him fully for quite awhile. But I didn't even play it at first. I saw a video of it and I was instantly hooked. I was laughing and in awe at the graphics at the time. Of course, once I got the 360 version I was stunned at the drop in quality I had seen and realized later that the game I saw was the PC version. That sure did explain it!

The PC version is the greatest possible copy you can get and I have the Steam version. In the Steam version (or just the PC version, it probably doesn't matter) you get four weapons instead of the console's two (so already off to a great start) and the graphics are an improvement.

I find myself very easygoing. I don't like to see the negatives and the game is very fun if you give it a chance. Here is my review of this game and some memories I had playing it. I am pretty much in the small majority of fans of this game. I can see why, but I just don't really under stand it. It's Duke Nukem after all!
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Graphics: To me they are pretty great. The graphics on the PC version are outstanding and remind me of the time I saw the longplay ages and ages ago. They aren't bad by any means. The woman in the main campaign might not be very attractive and an excuse to show nudity, but ignoring them, the graphics are quite well done.

Sounds: This has a pretty rockin' soundtrack! There are times where I have headbanged to the music at several moments. During one memorable turret sequence (the easiest one in the game) we get a rock remix version of Flight of the Valkyries... which is my favorite classical piece.

Addictiveness: I played through the games on all the difficulties (Insane was a nightmare and caused insane amounts of rage) and play through multiple times on various days just to play the adventure. I can play anything multiple times given enough motivation. The game has a ton of replay value for the insane. (I only say this cause I played many different games multiple times when there wasn't any replay value in them)

Story: Aliens have taken over after perceived retirement and stolen various groups of women (oh noes!) this is the first game in the series where you hear Duke pissed off. A mediocre story here but still quite entertaining. It's Duke, you don't even have to play the game to know how it goes.

Depth: Like I said, I have played this game multiple times, some on difficulty, some while just messing around in game with various cheats in place. The campaign is a decent length but if you have cheats on, the game is short. (obviously)

Difficulty: There are some moments that have questionable design mechanics. Mostly the turret segments where you are glued into place and must shoot long enough to heal. Some bosses also are extremely frustrating (OctoKing, Energy Leech, Mothership) and may push you to your emotional limits. Anything above normal difficulty is extremely frustrating and annoying. I beat the game on Insane, and it was INSANE! The fact that on Console you had to wait up to 45 seconds to even a minute sometimes was horrible. The PC has quicker loads, but you will probably see that load screen many times. There were times during the game where I don't know how I survived the way I did. Even on easy modes, the game is still rather punishing. Enemies can kill you fast if you let them and have a decent amount of health.

Final Thoughts: This game is hated. To me, it seems these people aren't even willing to focus on the positives and immediately focus on how it was pushed back so many times it became a meme. How pretty much every top 10 worst games of all time list in 2011 has this game on their list. How every single person says it was the worst. I get it, people were lied to out of anticipation and that killed it. But I had so much fun during this game despite the flaws.

Nobody seems to agree with me and it seems pretty unanimous that it sucks. That the jokes were outdated, the healing mechanic was out of Call of Duty, and Duke was a sociopath and sexist during the Hive level. Guys, news flash, he has always been a sexist jerk. He isn't very nice and has always been an antihero. He treats women like sexual conquests in every game except the DOS games from forever ago or something.

Playing the game is really a ton of fun and it has a kickin' soundtrack. It may not have been up to everyone's perceived standards, but it shouldn't be so quick to be universally hated. Having it on cheats and invulnerability? Lots of revenge over every annoying and frustrating segment in the game. Come on it's the Duke! I think they did a good job even if it doesn't have the features it was promised. I dunno, maybe the fact I like it was because I didn't have Duke Nukem 3D to fall back on when I was a kid!

I can see the flaws and I choose to like the game anyway despite them. I guess I am pretty stubborn. I happen to like Colonial Marines as well and everybody hates that game as well. Of course it's the PC version, but you get my point. I am pretty easy to please, I just have to get into a game, and I sure as heck got into this one!