Doom is often regarded as one of the most impactful first-person shooter (FPS) games ever made, arguably being the pioneer or at least the title that significantly popularized the FPS genre.
The franchise has transformed from blasting blocky inhabitants of the underworld to brutally slashing demons with gruesome effects, all set to the rhythm of intense metal music.
As the highly anticipated new installment of Doom approaches, let’s delve into the 30-year legacy of this demon-slaying franchise, tracking the relentless journey of Doomguy/The Doom Slayer as he battles an infernal army.
I’m about to dive into ranking every Doom game that’s dropped since the original in 1993, from the classic Doom to the latest installment, Doom Eternal. Let’s go!
We won’t be looking at DLCs, expansions, or unofficial episodes.
11. Mighty Doom
The True Evil Is Microtransactions
Recall the Mini Slayer action figures that were hidden in both Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal games?
In the game called “Mighty Doom”, you take on the role of the Mini Slayer. This character navigates a comical representation of the Doom universe, with the objective of rescuing his beloved rabbit, Daisy, from the clutches of the demonic horde for a second time.
If you’ve played Habby’s mobile game Archero, you might find Mighty Doom reminiscent, as both games share similarities being single-stick shooters in which you advance through levels while blasting demons with upgrades that can significantly alter the firing mechanics of your weapon.
Similar to the game Archero, Mighty Doom appears to be an engaging pastime for your smartphone. Its gameplay and advancement offer enjoyable customization options, but it’s unfortunate that it experiences a significant difficulty surge that seems designed to push players towards paying for in-app purchases – a problem that has been prevalent in mobile gaming for quite some time.
Sadly, due to the closure of Alpha Dog Games by Bethesda in May 2024, Mighty Doom has been removed from the App Store. As of August 2024, it’s no longer possible for new players to download Mighty Doom.
RIP Mighty Doom, you could’ve been a darling of the Doom franchise.
10. Doom Resurrection
Do People Still Play Rail Shooters?
In simpler terms, “Doom Resurrection” is a mobile rail shooter game released in 2009 for iPhones. It shares the same engine, visuals, and design as “Doom 3”, and its storyline sets up events that precede the original game.
In this scenario, you take on the role of an anonymous marine, navigating a Martian landscape overrun by a horde of demons. As you progress, you collaborate with a lone survivor who happens to be a scientist, aiming to close down the portals that these invading creatures are exploiting, eventually managing to escape from Mars.
Just like many popular arcade-style rail shooters such as House of the Dead 2, this game transports you through eight exciting levels reminiscent of classic arcade rail shooters. Instead of using a physical gun prop, you control the action by tilting your phone to aim and tapping the screen to fire and reload.
In terms of mobile gaming, it seemed that the response to Doom Resurrection was typical and had an air of being primarily driven by profit, leveraging the popularity of Doom 3. However, on its own merit as a mobile game, it wasn’t particularly successful, but in the context of the Doom series, it didn’t fare well.
9. Final Doom
Difficult As Hell
Contrary to its name, “Final Doom” was not the last game in the “Doom” series to be released. Instead, it served as a successor to both “Doom” and “Doom 2”, debuting on personal computers in 1996 before appearing on the PlayStation 1 at a later date.
Although it was the third installment in the franchise, Final Doom wasn’t named Doom 3. Instead, it started as a level pack created by enthusiasts at TeamTNT. Later, John Romero, the creator of Doom, contacted the developers with an offer to acquire and market Final Doom as an official product.
Although Final Doom shares similarities with its predecessors in terms of weapons and enemies, it stands out with much harder levels and a distinct ambient soundtrack, composed by Aubrey Hodges, who later created music for Doom 64.
As a devoted gamer, I can confidently say that “Final Doom” is undeniably one of the crown jewels in the franchise. It’s earned quite a reputation for being one of the toughest games under the “Doom” banner. This notoriety comes from its challenging aspects such as lower frame rates, less refined controls, and borderline masochistic level designs that often left me scratching my head in frustration.
8. Doom RPG
It’s Actually… Not Bad?
Did you know that the simple slider phones like Nokia and Motorola were actually capable of running games like Doom, albeit a version called Doom RPG? Incredible, isn’t it?
When I first heard about Doom RPG, I found myself skeptical, questioning whether it could possibly be enjoyable. After all, how does one adapt the rapid-fire shooting mechanics of Doom onto a basic Nokia phone from 2005?
In this game, the role-playing strategy unfolds through rounds where characters move diagonally and execute a set number of actions each turn.
The RPG system works by taking turns in which characters can make diagonal moves and perform a specific amount of actions.
Or even more casual:
In this game, you’ll take turns moving your character in 90-degree angles and attacking as many times as allowed within each turn.
Exploring the ‘Doom RPG’ has sparked my curiosity about it, but unfortunately, similar to many other classic ‘Doom’ games, it’s hard to find unless you delve deeply into preservation efforts for media.
7. DOOM II RPG
A Direct Upgrade
Due to the remarkable success of Doom RPG, id Software chose to develop and distribute a follow-up title. Launched in 2009 initially for mobile devices, it later became available on the iPhone that same year. Doom II RPG was essentially an enhanced version of the original Doom RPG, preserving its RPG features while also introducing some technical advancements.
By employing the same game engine as Wolfenstein RPG, the 3D-environmented Doom II RPG managed to maintain the classic 2D sprites that the Doom series was famous for.
In this version, the artistic style and game mechanics feel more polished, as Non-Player Characters (NPCs) engage and converse with you during your journeys, and the battles seem noticeably more action-packed compared to the previous iteration.
The game titled “Doom II RPG” maintains a light-hearted tone and utilizes graphics from both “Doom 3” and “Wolfenstein 3D”. Similarly, it follows the narrative of “Doom 3”, where the protagonist, Doomguy, is dispatched to a space station to aid UAC scientists.
One particularly amusing aspect of this game is that you can significantly simplify combat by employing a water gun filled with holy water. This unique weapon strikes fear into demons, dealing more damage than the majority of other firearms available in the game.
6. Doom 64
Darker, Grittier
Initially, most Doom games were designed primarily for personal computers. However, unlike its predecessors, Doom 64 was initially only available on the Nintendo 64 console. This exclusivity ended in 2020, as it was then made available on other platforms for the first time.
In the midst of other iconic 64-bit shooter games such as GoldenEye 007 and Duke Nukem 64, Doom 64 managed to carve out its unique identity by offering a distinct mood, characterized by a more somber visual style, a foreboding atmosphere, and entirely fresh artwork.
Similar to many traditional versions of Doom, Doom 64 operates in a similar manner, utilizing the same game engine as Doom II.
Generally, most weapons share similar functions despite having distinct appearances; however, the Unmaker stands out as a unique addition to Doomslayer’s weapon collection, initially introduced in the original game and then rebranded as the Unmaykr in Doom Eternal.
Generally speaking, Doom 64 is often viewed as a game that doesn’t get enough recognition, as it didn’t garner the same level of fan enthusiasm as its earlier versions, even though it made significant improvements on them.
5. DOOM 3
A Noticeable Shift Into Horror
In other words, “Doom 3” generated much debate due to its transition from the traditional shooter style to a more suspenseful survival horror theme, causing the gameplay speed to decrease and compelling players to savor the atmosphere of looming danger, which is characteristic of survival horror games.
In the Doom series, game number 3 stands alone, disregarding the storylines from earlier games, and is seldom referenced in subsequent titles, effectively establishing itself as a unique and independent chapter within the franchise’s larger narrative.
In essence, it’s still about Doomguy battling demons on Mars, but if your primary aim is just slaying demons, then the narrative doesn’t deviate much from that core premise.
In contrast to traditional shootout-heavy games, Doom 3 emphasizes its horror aspects. The game’s setting is characterized by narrow, dimly lit corridors, a somber atmosphere, and enemies that seem to appear unexpectedly from the edges of your vision.
Although not universally popular, this particular game holds a unique spot within the hearts of numerous “Doom” enthusiasts due to its distinct departure from the usual style in the series.
4. DOOM
Can It Run Doom?
The first instance I experienced playing Doom wasn’t on the original systems such as PlayStation 1 or Macintosh, but rather a version available within Doom Eternal that can be accessed in the Doomslayer’s stronghold, known as the Fortress of Doom.
Although I wasn’t around when the original Doom was initially released (since it predates me by five years), I can confidently say that the version of the original Doom in Doom Eternal still plays remarkably well for a game approaching its 30th anniversary. Plus, it’s quite versatile and can be played on a wide range of platforms.
The simplicity of Doom makes it possible for its source code to run on a wide range of electronic devices, leading to the creation of an Internet meme called “It Runs Doom,” where people attempt to port the game onto unusual gadgets such as calculators and electronic pregnancy tests.
The intense yet straightforward combat in Doom established a new benchmark for first-person shooter games within the video game industry, and it remains one of the most outstanding classics ever produced.
3. DOOM 2
It Can’t Get Better Than This, Right?
In the thrilling world of Doom Eternal, I found myself stepping back into the boots of the Doomslayer, revisiting the classic gameplay of Doom 2 within the comforts of his personal gaming setup nestled in his man cave.
Even though it shares similar mechanics, I discovered that I enjoyed Doom 2 significantly more than the original. It boasts numerous enhancements over its predecessor such as an increase in heavy metal soundtracks and a faster-paced, more intense battle experience.
One standout feature that made Doom 2 particularly memorable was the debut of the powerful Super Shotgun, a weapon so iconic it’s often associated with the character Doomguy himself. Apart from the BFG9000, the Super Shotgun is arguably the most identifiable tool in the entire series, and indeed, across the whole gaming world.
2. Doom (2016)
Fight Like Hell
As a child, I occasionally played snippets from some of the earlier Doom games. However, it was Doom 2016 that truly introduced me to the series, and let me tell you, I quickly developed an affection for it.
In essence, Doom effectively carries on from the originals, and it takes the franchise further by introducing improved graphics, a compelling narrative that complements rather than overshadows, and groundbreaking features such as Glory Kills and weapon customization.
The game further unfolds the narrative from the initial series, transforming the character known as Doomguy into the more grave and imposing figure of Doom Slayer. The battle sequences are also exceptionally smooth, offering demons that aren’t just pleasing to confront, but weapons that have been enhanced compared to their original versions.
Listening to Mick Gordon’s intense heavy metal music while ripping and tearing evokes an ancient, raw desire for violence that is uniquely found in games similar to Doom.
As a hardcore gamer, I must admit that Doom from the 2010s era had some shortcomings, such as repetitive battles, monotonous landscapes, and a somewhat underwhelming final boss battle. However, none can deny its status as one of the top-tier first-person shooter games during that decade. Yet, when it comes to comparing it with the next game on this list, Doom is like a flickering candle in the night.
1. DOOM Eternal
KAR EN TUK
If Doom 2016 is among the top-tier shooter games from the 2010s decade, then Doom Eternal follows suit as one of the best shooter games in the 2020s. Notably, it embodies the quintessential essence of a shooter game that appeals to the “boomer” generation.
Even though it was launched at the beginning of the current decade, no other game shares the same qualities as Doom Eternal. Its exhilarating gameplay speed, impactful compositions by Mick Gordon, and visually striking designs that immerse you in the role of an indomitable power like the Doom Slayer, make it unique.
In the sequel to Doom 2016, called Doom Eternal, they’ve taken what they learned from the original game and ramped it up significantly, making it even faster and more intense. The new movement abilities and weapons allow the Doom Slayer to quickly dispose of every demon he encounters, leaving nothing but bloody shreds behind.
In Doom Eternal, the graphics represent an improvement over the somber ambiance of Doom 2016. Bright and varied settings, along with clever environmental narrative, create a captivating experience. Being immersed in the Doom Slayer’s helmet while Mick Gordon’s powerful music pounds into your ears provides an emotionally freeing escape that helped me cope during the challenging days of the 2020 pandemic.
Beyond just saying that, having built-in cheat codes in Doom Eternal significantly boosts its appeal for repeat gameplay, giving me a whole new level of excitement!
Remarkably, it so happened that both games, Doom Eternal and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, were launched on March 20th, 2020. During that period, the creative blends and jokes based on their contrasting themes made quite an impression online.
If you’re a fan of first-person shooter games and hold the Doom franchise close to your heart, then you simply must experience Doom Eternal. It’s a breathtaking tribute to the genre, and if we could encapsulate the spirit of “HELL YEAH” in a phrase, it would undoubtedly be about Doom Eternal.
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2025-04-19 16:40