Doom3 is the second most unoriginal and derivative game ever. It is second only to Quake 4. It does pretends to have a plot, but it actually boils down to the same one as Doom1 with a little bit more fluff. They actually managed to rip off System Shock's log/email thingy without being interesting or useful...
System Shock 1 and 2 had more story, gameplay and overall gaming goodness in one level than D3 had in the entire game. Actually, after you kill the first imp in doom3, you might as well unistall it, because you have seen 99% of the game right there. Walk into room, pick up ammo/health pack, mosnters jump out of a closet, rinse, repeat.
The funny thing is that HL2 did a very good job of integrating storytelling and gameplay, but it was so subtle and well done that several people accuse it of NOT having any story... pff. HL2 is better than Doom 3 in every possible feature... It has better overall graphics, better gameplay, better enemies, better art direction, better performance, better story and better storytelling. For instance, when you first enter dr. Kleiner's lab in Hl2, if you take the time to look at his board and monitors, you will learn a lot of cool things about the story... for instance, there are pictures, post-its and lots of other tidbits. Just because it is not IN YOUR FACE, people think it isn't there... People make good webcomics using Hl2's engine and universe, because the material is there.
BUT, even considering all that, Doom3 was kinda fun. I liked Quake 4 better, because it has tighter shooting and the enemies are a hell lot better. Doom3 is not a bad game, but it is the kind of game that will be forgotten, unlike HL2 or SS2.
Anyway, if I feel like playing an atmospheric, trully scary game, there is nothing like System Shock 2, which is probably my favorite first person experience of all time. I hope BioShock is half as good. It seems to have a rather Hellbo-ish flavor to it... Nazis making bizarre genetic experiments in a jungle? sign me in.
that reminds me of Farcry, another shooter far superior to Doom3.