[02-03-02] Moving Around The Game

Learn to move, jump, crawl, swim, and use the Jetpack in Duke Nukem 3D. Master doors, weapons, and enemies to find the Exit Symbol and beat levels.

Alright, so you've got the hang of the basic controls, which is awesome! Now it's time to really start exploring and taking on Duke Nukem 3D's world. Think of it like this: you're not just walking forward and backward anymore. This game is all about moving in three dimensions, so you'll be jumping over stuff, crawling through tight vents, and yeah, even swimming. Just be careful not to fall off any cliffs – it happens to the best of us!

The Jetpack is your best friend for getting around quickly, but remember it's only got a limited fuel supply, so use it wisely. It really opens up the levels and gives you a ton of freedom.

Next up: doors. They seem simple, right? Some will just open up and let you through to the next part of the level. Others? Those are locked. You might need to find a hidden switch, figure out a code on some nearby panels, or track down a specific Key. Sometimes, a door isn't even a door – it could be a wall you need to blast your way through! Seriously, learning how doors work and what's behind them is key to progressing.

You'll also be finding all sorts of weapons and items scattered throughout the levels. Just grab 'em as you see them. They're super important for dealing with the baddies.

Speaking of enemies, you'll need those weapons! To shoot, you'll use your crosshairs to aim (if you've got 'em turned on) or just point in the general direction and hit that Fire button. Every shot that lands chips away at their health. Once it hits zero, they're toast. Sometimes, when they go down, they might even drop something useful like more ammo or some armor for you.

But don't expect these guys to just stand there! You've got Troopers zipping around on Jetpacks, RPVs doing fly-bys that you'll want to take down with your RPG, and those creepy Alien Drones that'll try to tear you apart or shrink you down so they can step on you. You really gotta figure out how to take them down without ending up in the same state yourself. If you need more ideas on how to handle them, there's a whole section dedicated to enemy strategies (Section 04-00).

Once you've cleared out the area and feel like you've conquered it, you need to find the Exit Symbol. These look like big atomic symbols. When you use them, they'll explode, and boom – you've beaten the level! Then you can move on to the next one in the episode. Keep at it, Duke!