In 2021, discourse around Duke Nukem 3D typically focuses on this game's misogynistic elements and seemingly-endless procession of '90s cultural references. As a whole, I honestly think that Duke 3D's reputation as an uniquely antifeminist game is a bit overblown. Yes, it has an immature sense of humor; yes, it treats women as objects; yes, there are definitely some elements that haven't aged well at all. Honestly, though, it's only slightly more retrograde than most male-oriented games from the '90s, and it pales in comparison to the Actual Violent Misogyny of Duke Nukem Forever.
Duke 3D is one of the most influential first-person shooters of its era, and that makes it a historically-important game. That said, the main issue with it as a game (if you can look past the misogyny, which will vary from person to person) is that the later episodes really do not stack up to the first few levels of L.A. Meltdown. Unlike Doom or Quake, you really get the sense that they poured all their creativity into that first episode and then sorta phoned in the other ones. In 2021, if you're curious about Duke 3D, I would suggest playing the first episode and then just booting up Ion Fury, which is a better game in every way.
Duke 3D is one of the most influential first-person shooters of its era, and that makes it a historically-important game. That said, the main issue with it as a game (if you can look past the misogyny, which will vary from person to person) is that the later episodes really do not stack up to the first few levels of L.A. Meltdown. Unlike Doom or Quake, you really get the sense that they poured all their creativity into that first episode and then sorta phoned in the other ones. In 2021, if you're curious about Duke 3D, I would suggest playing the first episode and then just booting up Ion Fury, which is a better game in every way.