The gaming industry, like other branches of entertainment, can be simultaneously kind and cruel. Some franchises persist for years while others fall off the map entirely. This can be due to developer disinterest, failed continuations, waning sales, or a combination of those. Luckily, some series bounce back through reboots:new stories that add to existing lore or start from scratch to inject fresh energy into the mix.
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One property that could benefit from this isDuke Nukem. Dating back to 1991, this shooter series amassed a devoted niche following due to crass humor and intentionally ridiculous premise. A muscle-bound blockhead is hired by the CIA to save the world from evil scientists and aliens, who interrupted his downtime. It’s essentially a sendup of cheesy action movies from the ’80s and ’90s. Because of that, the series needs a particular developer to bring it back: a studio that can not only rekindle those stylish flames, but also update the property for a modern crowd (hopefully without making it political).
10Id Software
This should be a no-brainer.Doomis arguably more hardcore thanDuke Nukemever was, and id Software brought it back swinging with the 2016 reboot and last year’sDoom Eternal.
These two games have all thebrutal violence, unapologetic middle-finger attitude, and high-octane thrillsthat you could want from aDuke Nukemadventure. The Slayer himself fulfills that power fantasy to a tee, striking fearful awe in demons and humans alike. All that’s missing are the one-liners. However, there’s something to be said for tense silence and imposing body language, especially with guns this big.
9Rockstar
This storied studio is no stranger to controversy for some of the same reasons asDuke Nukem. They also bask in refreshing political incorrectness, using it to infusingtheir massive open worlds with a naughty personality that’s resonating with millions of gamers.
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This approach has worked wonders for theirGrand Theft AutoandRed Dead Redemptiontitles. For many, it’s enough to enhance the standard (if serviceable) gunplay. If they could bring enough of their signature humor, then they could easily putDuke Nukemback on the map. The series is a parody, after all.
8Badfly Interactive
While this studio isn’t as famous as others, the developers are adept at sci-fi shooters. Look at their work onDead Effect 2. Here, players can fight alien creatures with a sprinkle of role-playing to spice things up. It’s derivative yet effective.
What could really make Badfly an interesting choice forDuke Nukemis their success with virtual reality. Gamers generally praisedDead Effect 2 VRas one of the better applications of such tech. The fact that they accomplished this with an FPS without sacrificing the fast pace and responsive controls speaks volumes about their comfort with the format. How many fans would like to take that next step into the shoes of Duke?
7Ubisoft Montreal
TheFar Cryfranchise is a storied one. By now, the folks at Ubisoft Montreal have nailed down the first-person shooting, role-playing, exploration, and melodrama that fans expect from the series. One game that exceeded those expectations, however, wasn’t even a mainline entry, but rather a standalone offshoot ofFar Cry 3known asBlood Dragon.
This bit of DLC surpassed not only its parent game, butthoroughly destroyed the whole series through sheer style. It’s a glorious throwback to cheesy action flicks of old, hilariously thumbing its nose at modern conventions and having a grand old time doing it. The title has all the grace of a AAA FPS while indulging in the muscle-bound shoot-em-ups and techno fever dreams that make up the best popcorn escapism in the ’80s and ’90s, making them a perfect fit forDuke Nukem. Give these developers a break from their self-serious franchises and let them cut loose again.
6CD Projekt Red
Yeah, they’re under a fire nowadays for legitimate reasons, but let’s not forget that CD Projekt Red are responsible for theWitchertrilogy, three of the most highly acclaimed action RPGs in recent memory.
They’ve shown themselves to haveimmense attention to detail when it comes to world-building, and they generally balance this with exhilarating combat that intuitively utilizes the abilities learned thus far. They even showcase this inCyberpunk 2077, which has been hailed as an immersive romp through an ’80s-style future when it actually works. Imagine some of that depth applied to a similarly retro setting inDuke Nukem.
5Santa Monica Studio
When someone mentions this studio, you think of the long-runningGod of Warseries. This might make it confusing choice since these are hack-and-slash titles. However, they are no less the power fantasy that gamers want.
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Prior to the 2018 reboot, Kratos was a brutal, uncompromising killing machine who mows down anyone and anything in his way. What’s more isthe gameplay was slick enough that each victory felt earned and invigorating. You won because you’re the best warrior around. That is the feeling people want fromDuke Nukem.
4Insomniac Games
Among the most recognized elements ofDuke Nukemis the comedy, and Insomniac has made that a huge part of their repertoire. Although they developedSpyro the Dragon,Resistance, and 2018’sSpider-Man, their most prominent icon isRatchet & Clank.
This action platformer series places much of its identity in satire, poking fun at rampant consumerism while most space epics focus on noble heroes and culture clashes. Even funnier is when it juxtaposes this withthe most comically oversized weapons the little lombax can carry. It’s essentially a cartoon. So isDuke Nukem, though, and it’s no less destructive. If the developers do make their mark on the big lug, they’d better aim for the biting digs of old and ditch the goodie-goodie blandness of the 2016 remake.
3Toys For Bob
This will definitely sound odd. This studio’s biggest claim to fame is remakingcartoonish mascot platformers. What could they possibly bring to the adult-orientedDuke Nukem?
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Well, a few minutes of playing theSpyro Reignited TrilogyandCrash Bandicoot 4reveals their exceptional ability to tighten and even improve the established gameplay while maintaining what made it great in the first place. However, it’s not just about functionality. The infectiously charming designs and expressive animations breathe new life into the old aesthetics and make these some of the most visually appealing games on the market. Considering how flat and genericDuke Nukem Foreverwas, the franchise could use a good kick in the looks.
2Avalanche Studios
These guys are mainly known for theJust Causeseries. That alone tells you they have a penchant for crazy popcorn action. In these open-world romps, players can wreak all sorts of havoc with the wide selection of weapons, vehicles, and daredevil.
They proved equally comfortable with other licensed work whenthey handled the criminally overlookedMad Maxgame. Here, they applied their engine and gift for carnage to an exquisite recreation of the films' iconic Wasteland. Applying those explosive sensibilities toDuke Nukemcan only lead to good things.
1The Coalition
It’s always uncertain when a new developer takes over an established series. Luckily, The Coalition’s work on the fourth and fifthGears of Wargames put many doubts to rest, with the polished gameplay making themsome of the best third-person shooters on the Xbox One.
Gears 5, in particular, reinvigorated a series many thought was losing steam. A lot of that comes down to the blood-pumping “Oorah” atmosphere permeating the whole piece. It succeeds in much the same way asBlood Dragon, possessing an infectiously enthusiastic devil-may-care attitude sadly missing from most modern action games.Duke Nukemneeds developers who can not only tap into that mindset of yesteryear, but also talented enough to bring it to today.
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