Editing Duke Nukem 3D (section)

== Gameplay ==
{{Redirect|Pig cop|the police-related slang|List of police-related slang terms#Pig}}
[[File:Duke3d 000.png|thumb|left|''Duke Nukem 3D'' gameplay at the beginning of the first level ("Hollywood Holocaust")]]
As a [[first-person shooter]] whose gameplay is similar to ''[[Doom (1993 video game)|Doom]]'', the gameplay of ''Duke Nukem 3D'' involves moving through levels presented from the protagonist's point of view, shooting enemies on the way. The environments in ''Duke Nukem 3D'' are highly destructible and interactive; most props can be destroyed by the player.<ref name="history1"/><ref name="gamespotr"/>

Levels were designed in a fairly non-linear manner such that players can advantageously use [[air duct]]s, back doors, and sewers to avoid enemies or find hidden caches. These locations are also filled with objects the player can interact with.  Some confer gameplay benefits to the player; light switches make it easier to see, while [[water fountain]]s and broken [[fire hydrant]]s provide some health points.  Others are simply there as a diversion.  Tipping [[strippers]] provokes a quote from Duke, and a provocative reveal from the dancer.

Duke's arsenal consists of the "Mighty Foot" (a basic kick attack), a [[pistol]], a [[shotgun]], a triple-barrelled [[chain gun]], a [[rocket-propelled grenade launcher]], [[pipe bomb]]s, freezethrower and [[shrink ray]]s, laser [[land mines]], and the rapid-fire "Devastator" rocket launcher. The ''Atomic Edition'' version of the game also has an "Expander", the opposite of the shrink-ray weapon. Lastly, the ''20th Anniversary World Tour'' version of the game also has an "Incinerator", the opposite of the freezethrower (with fiery projectiles instead of ice).

Various items can be picked up during gameplay. The portable [[medkit]] allows players to heal Duke at will. [[Steroid]]s speed up Duke's movement, as well as instantly reversing the effects of the shrink-ray weapon and increasing the strength of Duke's Mighty Foot for a short period. [[Night vision]] goggles allow players to see enemies in the dark. The "HoloDuke" device projects a [[hologram]] of Duke, which can be used to distract enemies. Protective boots allow Duke to cross dangerously hot or toxic terrain. In sections where progress requires more aquatic legwork, an [[aqua-lung]] allows Duke to take longer trips underwater. Duke's [[jet pack]] allows the player to move vertically and gain access to otherwise inaccessible areas.

The game features a wide variety of enemies; some of which are [[extraterrestrial life in culture|aliens]] and other [[mutant (fictional)|mutated]] humans. The [[LAPD]] have been turned into "Pig Cops", a [[play on words|play]] on the derogatory term "pig" for police officers, with '''LARD''' emblazoned on their uniforms. As is usual for a first-person shooter, Duke Nukem encounters a large number of lesser foes, as well as [[boss (video gaming)|bosses]], usually at the end of episodes. Like Duke, these enemies have access to a wide range of weapons and equipment, and some weaker enemies have jet packs.