Doom Video Game Series
FPS series being one of the forerunners of the first-person shooter genre. The series was created by id Software studio and has, so to speak, three "fathers" - John Carmack, John Romero and Tom Hall. Nevertheless, over the years, teams such as Midway Games and Nerve Software have also been involved in its development. Although the series made its debut on personal computers, over time it began to make its presence increasingly clear also on consoles, as well as on mobile devices.
A brief history of the Doom series
First Doom was released in 1993. The title debuted on personal computers running MS-DOS, and its global success was ensured by both the ability to move in three dimensions and the highly popular multiplayer mode. The second installment of the series, viz. Doom II: Hell of Earth, was released a year later and used the proven solutions known from the original, repeating its success.
The full-fledged third installment of the series, i.e. Doom 3, appeared on personal computers in August 2004, in turn coming to the Xbox console in April 2005. In 2008, it was officially confirmed that work was underway on the fourth main installment of the series. However, after the turmoil of the acquisition of id Software by ZeniMax Media, it was eventually decided to cancel the project and start work on it from scratch.
The result of this endeavor turned out to be a reboot of the entire series, in the form of a game released in 2016 Doom. The position was a spectacular artistic and commercial success, so forging iron while hot, id Software studio prepared its continuation - released in 2020 game Doom Eternal. In 2024, however, the third part of this peculiar "new trilogy" was announced, namely, being its prequel Doom: The Dark Ages.
The series is complemented by various spin-offssuch as Doom 64 (developed for the Nintendo 64 console), Doom II RPG (a mobile entry combining the second part of the series with the turn-based RPG genre) or Doom VFR, prepared with virtual reality sets in mind. In addition, over the years, individual games have received add-ons (such as Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil and Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods), as well as various complete editions and refreshes (the likes of Doom 3: BFG Edition from 2012).
Plot and gameplay in the Doom series games
A common element of all parts of the series Doom is the character of the main protagonist. The nameless hero, who was previously sometimes referred to as Doom Guy, while since 2016 he has been referred to as Doom Slayer, in them faces off against hordes of demons threatening the human race. Although the plot of the series was only sorted out and developed in the game Doom 3, it has undergone its greatest expansion since the release of the game Doom 2016.
In the various installments of the series, the salt of the gameplay are clashes with the minions of hell, whom we eliminate, making use of a rich arsenal including, among others, the legendary bipod and chainsaw, but also more sophisticated tools of murder, such as a futuristic machine gun or a powerful BFG. For the most part, the gameplay is extremely dynamic, and in order to succeed, we have to be in constant motion, avoid enemy attacks and conduct accurate shooting. Doom of 2016 introduced an additional variety in the form of finishing blows, which allow us by brutal means to kill enemies "softened" by classic methods.
Worthy of a separate mention is Doom 3, which was a bold attempt to bring the series closer to the survival horror genre. The game forced us to carefully take our next steps and look around for first-aid kits and ammunition. Nevertheless, already on the occasion of the fourth part of the series, the authors decided to return to its roots. In addition, although productions under the banner of Doom are primarily single-player campaigns, the vast majority of them offer a variety of multiplayer modes.
Graphics and engine in games of the Doom series
An undoubted achievement of the debut part of the series Doom is the establishment of 3D graphics as a standard in first-person shooters. While the first two installments of the series used the proprietary id Tech 1 technology, Doom 3 ran on the fourth version of this engine, in turn Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal used the id Tech 6 engine.
Adaptations of the Doom series
Doom is not just a video game. The brand also lived to see, among other things, its own comic book, a novel series (by Dafydd ab Hugh and Brad Linaweaver), a board game and even a film adaptation (the movie Doom from 2005, directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak, and released in 2019. Doom: Annihilation).
Doom Series Evolution
2025
Doom: The Dark Ages
2024
Mighty Doom
2021
Doom 3: VR Edition
2020
Doom Eternal
2020
Doom 64
2017
Doom VFR
2016
Doom
2012
Doom 3: BFG Edition
2004
Doom 3
2002
Doom II
1996
Final Doom
1995
The Ultimate Doom
1994
Doom II: Hell on Earth
1993
Doom (1993)
Doom: The Dark Ages
Action
2025
The sixth main installment of the popular FPS series. Doom: The Dark Ages takes us to the past, showing us the origins of the Doom Slayer. The game introduces new weapons (including a unique shield) and an option to control both a traditional mech and a dragon.
Mighty Doom
Action
August 7, 2024
A free spin-off of the cult shooter series for mobile devices. In Mighty Doom we once again play as Doom Slayer continuing his crusade against hellish demons. The game is dedicated mainly to casual players.
Doom 3: VR Edition
Action
March 29, 2021
A new release of the third game in the Doom series in the form of a VR game. Doom 3: VR Edition allows you to once again experience the story of a soldier who must face hordes of demons from hell after arriving on Mars.
Doom Eternal
Action
March 20, 2020
A full-fledged sequel to the 2016's Doom - a well-received reboot of the famous FPS game series. During their adventure, the players have to descend to hell and face new types of opponents using a wide variety of deadly weaponry.
- Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods, Part One October 20, 2020
- Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods, Part Two March 18, 2021
Doom 64
Action
March 20, 2020
A reedition of FPS from the 1997 under the same title. In Doom 64, we take on the role of a hero who, alone, faces the demons resurrected by the mysterious being on Phobos and Deimos, the moons of Mars. The production was developed by id Software studio and released by Bethesda Softworks.
Doom VFR
Action
December 1, 2017
A first-person shooter developed by id Software for VR headsets. The player is taken to a UAC facility which is overrun by demons, and assumes the role of a sole survivor of their attack. After death, the protagonist’s consciousness is transferred to a computer matrix which allows him to take control of the robots present on site. The task he has to perform is to annihilate all hellish creatures and stop an incoming catastrophe. Fighting enemies with the use of an extensive and elaborate weapon arsenal remains at the core of Doom VFR. We face various adversaries on our way, both in claustrophobic corridors and more spacious arenas. The game’s high-quality graphics attract attention with very detailed enemy models and environment elements.
Doom
Action
May 13, 2016
The fourth part in one of the most famous FPS franchises in history, originated by id Software Studio in 1993. Since then, the overall story premise remained basically unchanged, having the player take on the role of a sole commando who has to fight hordes of demons from Hell spawned in a military research base as a result of a failed experiment. In contrast to the third game, which featured numerous horror elements, Doom focuses on fast-paced action, thus going back to the roots of the series. The hero learned some brand new skills, including spectacular finishers, making the gameplay even more brutal. One of the landmarks of the franchise is the considerable multiplayer mode, this time enriched with a useful tool called SnapMap. It lets players create not only maps and locations, but also their own play modes – from cooperative battles against enemy hordes to classic Deathmatches.
Doom 3: BFG Edition
Action
October 16, 2012
A remastered edition of the third installment in a series of classic first-person shooters developed by id Software. This edition was created for both PCs and the seventh generation of consoles, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the original game's release. The player takes on the role of a commando sent to a secret research facility located on Mars in order to close an interdimensional portal opened as a result of an accident. The bad news is that various infernal beasts have already managed to make their way through that portal. BFG Edition offers all the contents of the original game, the Resurrection of Evil expansion and a completely new episode consisting of seven levels and called The Lost Mission. Doom 3: BFG Edition features improved visuals with upgraded texture quality and supports both the stereoscopic 3D and 5.1 surround sound technologies. Having console players in mind, the creators rebuilt both the controls and the system of checkpoints. Additionally, Doom 3: BFG Edition contains both the 1993's Doom and 1994's Doom II.
Doom II RPG
RPG
February 8, 2010
Based on id Software's cult FPS shooter, a first-person RPG with a turn-based combat system, a sequel to the simple Java game from 2005. The plot takes us once again to a military base on Mars overrun by monsters from another dimension. A team consisting of a couple of commandos and a scientist is sent to investigate it. After arriving to the place, however, the team separates and during the gameplay the player playing as one of its members has to rely only on himself.
Doom Resurrection
Action
June 30, 2009
Created with mobile users in mind, a spin-off of the cult FPS shooter series by id Software, referring to the third full-fledged part of the series from 2004. In the game, we play as the last surviving member of the Bravo Squad, whose discovery was one of the first tasks in Doom 3.
Doom 3
Action
August 3, 2004
The third installment of the legendary FPS series by id Software which set new standards in the genre’s development back in the mid-90s. The action takes place in a secret research facility of the UAC corporation on Mars, where the protagonist, an ex-marine whom we control, begins his service. Shortly thereafter, strange things begin to happen: the lab comes under attack, the communications with the HQ are severed, and the people we encounter turn into bloodthirsty monsters. It turns out that a space-time portal was opened as a result of an experiment, which led to a demon incursion that we have to repel. Compared to its predecessors from the past decade, Doom 3 offers not only fast-paced and incredibly bloody action but also quite extensive plot as well as a number of horror elements. The game also features high-quality graphics.
- Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil April 3, 2005
Doom II
Action
October 22, 2002
Classic FPS, this time on Game Boy Advance. In the distant future, the Earth is attacked by hell-born monsters whose habitat was discovered on Mars. As a surviving marines with an impressive arsenal, we face hordes of hellish beasts on more than 32 levels. In addition, we get a sensational multiplayer mode.
Doom Collector's Edition
Action
November 15, 2001
Collector's edition of one of the most famous FPS shooter series, started in 1993 by id Software studio led by John Carmack and John Romero. Each part of the series focuses on the protagonist's struggle with hordes of hellish creatures which, as a result of experiments conducted in a secret Martian base, got through a space-time portal to our dimension.
Final Doom
Action
April 15, 1996
Developed in collaboration between id Software and GT Interactive, this is the official expansion to the 1994 cult FPS shooter Doom II: Hell on Earth. The expansion entitled Final Doom enriches the basic version of the game with two brand new episodes: Plutonia Experiment and TNT: Evilution, in which we follow the further fate of a lone soldier, fighting hordes of hellish monsters. Each of the additional episodes of the game consists of 32 levels, but we won't find any previously unseen enemies or weapons.
The Ultimate Doom
Action
December 12, 1995
Complete edition of one of the most groundbreaking FPS shooters in the history of the genre, developed in 1993 by id Software studio. The game's simple and unsophisticated story tells the tale of a member of a squad of space marines who finds himself in a secret military research facility on Mars. On site it turns out that as a result of experiments conducted there, the base has been taken over by monsters from hell, and the task of our protagonist is to face them.
Doom II: Hell on Earth
Action
June 15, 1994
A continuation of the 1993's bestselling FPP shooter, once again developed by the experienced creators from id Software. Action takes place after events of the first part, when our hero, after having defeated alien hosts on Mars, returns home with an intention of ending his military career. It soon becomes clear, however, that the legions of hell were not completely defeated as they reach the Earth and launch a successful invasion. The task of a group of survivors (led by the player) is to hijack an alien spacecraft, allowing them to escape their home world in search of a new, better home. Doom II: Hell on Earth features all the key elements of its classic predecessor and introduces some novelties, such as brand new weapons and greatly expanded bestiary. With engine tweaks and more detailed textures, the game's visuals are noticeably better than in the original.
- Final Doom April 15, 1996
- Master Levels for Doom II December 26, 1995
Doom (1993)
Action
December 10, 1993
A first-person shooter set in a science fiction realm, created by id Software studio, previously known mainly for the arcade series Commander Keen and the groundbreaking Wolfenstein 3D. Action of Doom takes place in the near future, and players play the part of a cosmic Marine who, for insubordination, is sent to UAC corporation's secret research facility on Mars. When, in the fallout of an interdimensional gate experiment, the base gets overrun by bloodthirsty monsters from outer space, we have to provide reconnaissance and, of course, eliminate all potential threat. In each of nearly 30 levels of the game the player's task is to find an exit, the keys to open it, and to eliminate all encountered monsters using a wide arsenal of both classic and futuristic weapons. The game features a large dose of brutality, claustrophobic atmosphere, and three-dimensional graphic design.
Doom Series News
Infamous Yet Popular Doom Mod Removed from Official Collection for Political Reasons
The popular, albeit controversial Thatcher's Techbase mod for Doom II was available for console players to download for a while. However, Bethesda removed the project from the official modification browser due to its political nature.
Files and Mods
Adrian Werner
September 4, 2024
Ashes, Free Post-Apocalyptic FPS Masterpiece, Just Received New Story Campaign
A new version of Ashes, the freeware single-player FPS, has been released. The game added a new story campaign, in which we explore a city destroyed by nuclear war.
Files and Mods
Adrian Werner
June 29, 2024
Doom: The Dark Ages Lets Us Feel Like Leonidas of Sparta. Dark Shooter Is Set to Draw Handfuls From Classics
Doom: The Dark Ages will make us feel like Leonidas. The creative director of id Software studio, Hugo Martin, talked about what we can expect from the latest installment of the series.
video games
Maciej Gaffke
June 12, 2024
Doom: The Dark Ages Brings Iconic Shooter to New Setting. Release in 2025
Studio id Software graced today's Xbox Games Showcase and presented its next game. We are talking about the game Doom: The Dark Ages, which takes us to an alternate „Doom” version of the Middle Ages.
video games
Christian Pieniazek
June 9, 2024
Insider Provided Title of Brand New Game in Doom Series. Shooter Is Set to Refer to Middle Ages
A new game in the Doom series, with the subtitle The Dark Ages, is reportedly to be unveiled at the Xbox Games Showcase in June.
video games
Marcin Przała
May 27, 2024
30 Years of Doom; Romero and Carmack Celebrated the Anniversary
Doom has turned 30 years old. Its co-creators, John Carmack and John Romero, celebrated the beautiful anniversary with a long, nostalgic onversation. The latter released the free Sigil 2, the unofficial sixth episode of Doom.
video games
Hubert Sledziewski
December 11, 2023
Doom 3 Giveaway for Amazon Prime Subscribers; Two Versions Available
Amazon Prime subscribers have received a surprise game. Or actually, surprise games, as they got to pick up the basic version of Doom 3 and its remaster, titled Doom 3: BFG Edition.
video games
Christian Pieniazek
October 23, 2023
Doom 3 Giveaway for Amazon Prime Subscribers; Two Versions Available
Amazon Prime subscribers have received a surprise game. Or actually, surprise games, as they got to pick up the basic version of Doom 3 and its remaster, titled Doom 3: BFG Edition.
video games
Christian Pieniazek
October 23, 2023
Brutal Wolfenstein Version 7.0 Delights
A new version of the excellent Doom II mod called Brutal Wolfenstein 3D has been released. The project recreates the campaign of the classic FPS in an upgraded and more brutal version.
Files and Mods
Adrian Werner
May 7, 2023
Check Out Trailer for Would-be Doom 4
A previously unreleased teaser of Doom 4, the canceledinstallment of the series, has appeared online. It shows, among other things, the thick horror atmosphere that id Software was aiming for at the time.
video games
Adrian Werner
March 5, 2023