The Chronological Order Of Doom Games: Which Game To Play First?

4 min read Post on May 13, 2025

The Chronological Order Of Doom Games: Which Game To Play First?

The Original Doom (1993) and Doom II: Hell on Earth (1994): Where it All Began

The foundation of a gaming legend, Doom (1993) and Doom II: Hell on Earth (1994) defined the first-person shooter (FPS) genre. These games aren't just historically significant; they're incredibly fun to play even by today's standards.

Gameplay and Story Overview

These early installments offer a relatively simplistic storyline: a lone space marine battles hordes of demons unleashed from hell. Despite the simple narrative, the gameplay is anything but.

Fast-paced, visceral combat: The core gameplay loop is immediately addictive – run, gun, and survive.
Iconic weaponry: The shotgun, chaingun, and BFG 9000 became instantly recognizable symbols of the franchise.
Memorable monsters: From the lowly Imp to the terrifying Cyberdemon, the enemy roster is both varied and memorable.
Cultural Impact: Doom fundamentally changed the gaming landscape, popularizing the FPS and influencing countless games that followed.
Expansions and Versions: Explore various versions and expansions, including The Ultimate Doom and Doom II: Final Doom, for even more demonic encounters.

Doom 3 (2004): A Darker, More Atmospheric Experience

Doom 3 represents a significant departure from its predecessors. While maintaining the core FPS gameplay, it shifts the tone towards a darker, more atmospheric horror experience.

Shift in Tone and Gameplay

This installment trades the frantic pace of the originals for a more deliberate, tactical approach.

Improved Graphics and Sound: For its time, Doom 3's graphics and sound design were groundbreaking, creating a truly immersive and terrifying environment.
Tactical Gameplay: Combat becomes more strategic, emphasizing careful movement and resource management.
A Different Story: The story in Doom 3 moves away from the simple "kill everything" narrative of the earlier games, offering a more nuanced (though still action-packed) experience.

Doom (2016): A Brutal Reboot

Id Software's 2016 Doom revitalized the franchise, bringing back the fast-paced, visceral combat of the originals while incorporating modern gameplay mechanics.

Modernized Gameplay and Brutal Combat

This reboot perfected the blend of speed and brutality.

Glory Kills: The visceral finishing moves add a satisfying layer of tactical and visual flair to the combat.
Improved Movement: Enhanced movement mechanics allow for greater agility and strategic positioning.
Weapon Variety and Upgrades: A wide selection of weapons, each with unique upgrades, allows for diverse combat strategies.
Connected Lore: The 2016 Doom cleverly connects to the lore of the original games, offering a fresh perspective on established elements.

Doom Eternal (2020): The Ultimate Demon Slayer

Building upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, Doom Eternal refines and expands the formula to create the ultimate demonic slaughterfest.

Evolution of the Formula

Doom Eternal takes everything that worked in 2016's Doom and amplifies it.

Advanced Movement: The game introduces new traversal mechanics, encouraging aggressive and creative approaches to combat.
Challenging Enemies: New enemy types and increased difficulty provide a consistently thrilling challenge.
Expanded Arsenal: The arsenal is even more diverse and customizable, allowing for highly personalized combat styles.

Other Doom Games and Spin-offs: A Look Beyond the Main Series

While the main series provides the core Doom experience, several other games exist, adding to the franchise's rich history.

Expanding the Universe

Doom 64: This Nintendo 64 classic offers a unique experience, often considered a bridge between Doom II and Doom 3. While not strictly essential to the main storyline, it offers a glimpse into the series' early evolution. Its place in a "Doom game order" is flexible, depending on your priorities.
Other spin-offs and related titles might exist and may be worth exploring, depending on your interest in the wider Doom universe. However, focusing on the main series entries will provide the most cohesive story experience in terms of "Doom chronological order".

Conclusion: Rip and Tear Your Way Through the Doom Saga in Chronological Order

To truly appreciate the evolution of the Doom franchise, experiencing the games in chronological order is highly recommended. Starting with the originals, progressing through Doom 3, and culminating in the modern entries, you’ll witness the series' remarkable transformation while enjoying some of the most influential and entertaining FPS games ever created. Start your Doom adventure today! Experience the chronological order of Doom games and dive into the complete Doom chronological experience. You won't regret it.