A Symphony of Destruction

Rip and tear. That is probably the best way I would describe DOOM. Since the initial release of the first installment back in 1993, players have assumed the role of the Doom Slayer, fighting through scores of undead humans and demons alike. But times have changed. The release of DOOM in 2016 marked a new point in the franchise’s history. But does it still hold up today? Let’s dive in.

Story

A deep and thought-provoking story has never been something DOOM has ever been known for. Even since the original title launched on personal computers back in 1993, this has been true and this thought carries over to the 2016 title as well.

The tale begins on Mars where the Union Aerospace Corporation (UAC) inadvertently unleashed a horde of demons while exploiting Hell for its resources. During the chaos, the Doom Slayer awakens from his slumber and finds himself chained to a sarcophagus within a UAC facility. After breaking free and donning his Praetor Suit, he embarks on a mission to stop the demonic invasion.

Now, to say that the story is not deep is not really a massive criticism of the game itself as, at least in my opinion, the franchise has always been known for its engaging gameplay rather than its narrative.

The story and lore presented here give depth to the world but overall do not contribute as much to the overall enjoyment of the game when compared to the gameplay.

Presentation

DOOM 2016 stands out for its graphical prowess. Considering DOOM launched in 2016, which would be 8-9 years at the time of writing, the game looks damn good. The game’s visuals remain strikingly sharp and meticulously detailed, a testament to the developers’ commitment to quality.

Audio is also a highlight. The soundtrack, composed by Mick Gordon, is a thunderous blend of electronic and metal elements that perfectly encapsulates the game’s ferocious energy. It’s always been a core part of the experience and really gets you in the mood to slay some demons.

DOOM 2016’s presentation is a wonderful union of visuals and sound, which, even years after its release, sets a high standard for the FPS genre.

Gameplay

Since its introduction, fast-paced gameplay has been ingrained as core to the franchise’s gameplay. This title continues on that legacy by providing a hectic and blood pumping experience as you push through the legions of Hell.

Combat Mechanics

The combat in the game is fantastic. From its first moments, DOOM 2016 looks to capture that fast paced and intense gameplay that has made the franchise iconic. The combat can be described as aggressive or, in the franchise’s own terms, rip and tear until it is done. You are meant to run forward and push through anything in your path. With this comes the addition of glory kills that add to this feeling. Glory kills allow the player to instantly kill a staggered enemy in an absolutely brutal fashion.

Weaponry and Upgrades

Of course, what would the Doom Slayer be without his array of weapons. While initially starting off with a pistol, soon you will find yourself adding more weapons to your arsenal from the shotgun and gauss cannon to the plasma rifle, rocket launcher, and the BFG 9000. Along with these weapons, you can also pick up various weapon modifications throughout your journey. From the ability to give your shotgun a charged burst shot to the micro missiles for the heavy assault rifle, the mods, provide a way for the player to customize their weapons to fit their playstyle.

There are also many other upgrades to collect. Runes, which are obtained through rune trials, provide different abilities when equipped. Others such as the argent cells which provide upgrades to health, armor, and ammo as well as the praetor tokens which provide upgrades to your suit.

Enemy Variety

Enemy variety is another major highlight. From the Cacodemons and imps to the hell knights and revenants, the game provides a good balance of both ranged and melee focused enemies. The diversity also works well with the hectic style of gameplay as you may have some enemies getting up close and personal with you while others shoot at you from a range. This forces the player to constantly be on the move and adapt to the current situation and makes for an enjoyable experience.

Level Design

While not as open as its successor, DOOM Eternal, the level design does still work here and contributes to the style of gameplay. The way the level is structured specifically in combat sections encourages players to play aggressively while still allowing for enough mobility to quickly move around the area and out of the range of Hell’s forces.

Levels also contain numerous different collectibles which provide a small bit of exploration. These include little Doomguy collectibles, codex entries, and even levers that unlock secret levels that pay homage to the original DOOM. This is great in that it provides players with a reason to go back and play levels again to get everything.

Multiplayer

Multiplayer, however, is where it starts to lose me. It’s not terrible but is not very compelling. Much of what is here is what you would expect. Leveling up, customizable characters and loadouts, and the usual modes such as deathmatch. My only response is to ask the question. Why? Why is this mode here? It doesn’t really do anything new or inventive. I almost get the feeling that it was added just because other games had it and so that it could be a “back of the box” feature. The multiplayer really adds nothing to the game and nothing would be lost by its exclusion.

Snapmap

Snapmap is the complete opposite of the multiplayer. Snapmap is a feature introduced in DOOM 2016 and serves as an in-game level editor. It allows players to create, edit, and share their own custom levels. This is a great addition to the game as it inspires players to create their own levels and share them for others to enjoy. Along with being a fun experience, it provides the game with some longevity and gives players a reason to continue playing after the credits roll.

CLosing thoughts

DOOM 2016 is a blast to play. Impressive graphical fidelity coupled with fast-paced gameplay provide players with a game that is fun and engaging from beginning to end. While some features may be lacking, such as multiplayer, others like Snapmap provide players with a great overall experience.