The originalDoommanaged to be quite the revolution when it released in 1993. It created an intense first person experience replete with violence, monsters, and gore, unlike anything gamers had seen up to that point. The controversy surrounding the series hasn’t gone anywhere, and neither have the games themselves: Doom’s evolution has not stopped.
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After several sequels and a reboot, the franchise is just as strong now as ever. It still contains the same dense storytelling mythology and violence it proudly boasted in the beginning. Its fast-paced adrenaline rush of running and gunning is a formula that countless games have tried to replicate in the past. Here are just some examples of titles and series that Doom fans are sure to enjoy.
9Bulletstorm
Besides being a first-person game, Bulletstorm shares a very particular niche with Doom. On the surface, the games are completely different. Bulletstorm has a very comedic tone, while Doom is heavily rooted in horror with demonic monsters.
Doom, however, made its name by reveling in the core violence and killing, a concept that Bulletstorm takes to an extreme. The title is all about wiping out enemies in creative and unique ways, rewarding the player for killing with style. It even has awide arsenal of devastating gunsto do it with, something Doom inspired.
Sometimes, certain games are released that just elevate a genre. In terms of first-person shooters, Doom is unquestionably one of them. However,Crysismay just qualify as well. Players marvel at the visual treat they are presented with, and it’s bolstered by an exemplary weapons system, where the player legitimately feels like a super soldier that can utilize any sort of weapon.
While the sequels eventually eclipsed the original, they didn’t have as profound an impact on the industry of gaming. The first Crysis is a gripping classic, and a release that pushed the medium forward.
7Borderlands Series
In terms of first-person shooters, it’s hard to think of a series that created a more unique and memorable world thanBorderlands. It perfectly combines so many different elements of RPG gaming, with customizable abilities, in-depth builds to create, and a random weapon generation system that allowed for all manner of elemental ridiculousness.
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However, its FPS mechanics make the core shooting action feel as satisfying and high-octane as the genre should always be. At the same time, the comedy, tone, andunique art styleof the titles lend an element of something new. The series certainly isn’t as dark and gory as Doom, but first-person shooter enthusiasts shouldn’t miss it.
6Halo Series
It’s hard to fathom a video game landscape today withoutHalo. The original Halo game felt exactly like playing the first Doom game when it came out all those years ago. It was almost as if the player knew they were undergoing a revolutionary experience that would change everything.
Doom has developed a tremendous fanbase since it premiered, and in just two decades, Halo has absoutely followed suit. This beloved sci-fi shooter series has become an entire industry in and of itself, especiallyin the multiplayer arena, and fans of Doom should check it out.
In a similar vein to Doom, it’s hard to imagine another first-person horror game that goes as hard on the action as FEAR does. While Doom showcases its commitment to both action and horror with its hideous creatures, FEAR employs a rather more subtle, psychological approach. The game also has a surprisingly rich mythology, which Doom might’ve used as inspiration for its remake.
Subtlety certainly isn’t Doom’s strong point, but both the series and this title share something deep in their core DNA. Doom fans who haven’t given this spine-tingling title a shot yet should absolutely do so.
4Duke Nukem Series
Duke Nukemand Doom were rising in popularity around the same time. Both series take very similar, blunt approaches to their action. The protagonist is out to blast away at a range of foes, and nothing’s going to stop them achieving that goal.
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The franchises vary a lot in tone, however. While Doom focuses on horror and has a silent protagonist, the titular Duke Nukem just doesn’t stop spouting typical action movie one-liners. Like Borderlands, the games also have a sense of humor that many have questioned. In the long run, Doom rose to become the more popular franchise, but the Duke still has his fans and a unique place in the history of gaming.
3BioShock Series
After so many Doom clones released to the market, it proved incredibly hard to find a way to be original and creative in the FPS space.BioShockmanaged to pull it off wonderfully, though. The series explores deep philosophical questions like the nature of humanity, creating a dark, immersive and engaging storyline,not to mention a cast of great villainous characters. However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The games also managed to combine conventional weaponry with a range of curious “superpowers” dubbed Plasmids. This, alongside a mix-and-match perk system allowing great character customization, helped forge an amazing experience that hadn’t existed yet. The BioShock fan base is strong and always eagerly awaits new rumblings from the series.
2Prey Series
ThePreytitles, just like long-running iconic shooter franchise Doom, focus on extraterrestrial travel, the threats that can emerge from such and, most prominently, the visceral and violent ways that protagonists fight back against them. The second game presented players with a vast and sprawling sci-fi setting, reminiscent of that ofDead Spacein its atmosphere.
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The creepinghorror and ghastly creature designsare sure to appeal to Doom veterans too. If the series' fans are looking for something to hold them over until the next release, the Prey series is a worthy distraction.
1Wolfenstein
Fans can argue all day as to which game, Doom orthe equally-venerable Wolfenstein, truly gave birth to the first-person shooter genre as we know it today. It’s true that Wolfenstein came out first, but the argument as to which game had more influence is largely irrelevant. They both share their similarities, but exist within two different settings.
The point is that both are games fans can enjoy, and that both (alongside others) lent something important to the development of the genre. Doom fans can find something to like about Wolfenstein, and vice versa. These two storied series have truly withstood the test of time.
