Doom (2016)

My Fave FPS, 30: Doom (2016)

Before I begin, thanks to the 8 of you who liked my post. That's already more traction than I ever got on FB for this stuff. It's appreciated, sincerely. And I hope that this attracts some conversation.

Doom isn't my type of shooter but I enjoy this. I'm just not absolutely in love with it. I acknowledge its greatness. It's fast-paced, gory and exciting. Its gameplay loop works perfectly with its systems, constantly rewarding you for being aggressive. Originally, I didn't have it on my list but decided to put it back on.

I'm not going to sit here and pretend that I know the lore of Doom, or if it's the same Doomguy or whatever. I played Doom on SNES many moons ago and have played this one and Eternal, but I am by no means a Doom fan. But I've felt a kinship with Doomguy ever since I read the lore that he's basically so angry at the demons because they killed Daisy. I know some people don't believe that's the main reason he's waging this war. If you look at my profile picture, you will see that it's a rabbit. So I choose to believe that Doomguy's just mad over his rabbit dying because if I was a superpowered soldier and someone killed my rabbit, I'd do the same thing. This is honestly the main reason this was put back on the list.

One HELL of a good Doom game. The music is just plain fucking awesome, fits the feel of the game and essentially propels this game to one of the best (if not the best) in the series.

I played on PC (4k) on Ultra Violence, absolutely no issues. I had about a 30% completion of Steam achievements -- took 17.5 hours in total. Can't wait to rock out with Doom Eternal and whatever the hell comes after that!

28th of February 2023 - Journal Entry #3

Version/Type: PS4/Digital

Playing on: PS5

Hours Played: approx. 16h

This will be my final update for Doom (2016). I have completed the campaign & along with all collectibles and challenges - I am not far off from earning the Platinum. Recently I have been playing custom maps and missions created by other gamers as a part of my SnapMap playthrough - just trying to squeeze out the most from this iteration. Some of these maps are v. good, so I am enjoying that part very much.

Still to do:

• Complete first level 'UAC' on Nightmare difficulty
• Complete SnapMap tutorials
• Level up to LVL 5 in Multiplayer

Above are needed for the Platinum trophy. After that I will be able to put it down with clear conscience that I squeezed as much as I could from this game.

What an amazing, violent & fun trip to Hell and back... and to Hell again. Easily the best FPS that I played in recent times and one of the best I played... ever. That's how a reboot to a classic should be done. Amazing. Just amazing.

13th of February 2023 - Journal Entry #2

Version/Type: PS4/Digital

Playing on: PS5

Hours Played: approx. 9h

This post-weekend update is a good one. I've completed Foundry & Argent Facility/Tower levels (both very pleasing to the eye); I have been warped to Hell and back & conquered what is now a destroyed Argent Facility. I'm having a great run - had no issues finding the collectibles, power-ups & runes and have only missed a few mission challenges, which is okay - I can come back to those via mission select post-ending.

Time spent with Doom over the weekend just reaffirms my feelings towards it - it is a fantastic first person shooter with great visuals. One of the best I've played in fact. It's amazing in its simplicity - it doesn't try to be something else, it doesn't even pretend to be something else. Yes, id Software tried to tell the story here (which is very evident in optional codex entries - which I love) & some of it works, some of it doesn't, but apart from that it is still good, old Doom - with violence cranked up to 11 (on a 1-10 scale).

Pacing works well, new weapons & new enemies are introduced in perfect moments, therefore gameplay never feels stale and boring; surprisingly there is a lot of platforming outside of battles, jumping around, ledge-grabbing - not something I expected at all, but it seems to work so far.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Doom reinvigorated the genre back in 2016, however I am quite surprised that up to this day there aren't many titles that can successfully replicate the gameplay of series' 2016 iteration, apart from its sequel I guess.

Anyway - I have been chasing creepy Olivia all over Mars, I have been to Hell and back & it finally feels like she's within my grasp - I am on cross-facility train on the way to Advanced Research Complex - my one & only stop before next destination - Lazarus Labs, where Olivia's office is located... it is also a place where the initial invasion of demons has began. The heart of it.

There's no turning back now...

10th of February 2023 - Journal Entry #1

Version/Type: PS4/Digital

Playing on: PS5

Hours Played: 2.5h

Started playing it again after almost 6 years (dropped it back then, early into Hell levels - wasn't in the right mindset & a different game grabbed my attention), because of an article I read in Edge - Jan '21 issue about Doom Eternal and its Ancient Gods Part I & II DLCs. I am intending to go for full completion along with all collectibles & upgrades. Playing in the evenings, with headphones on, on my PS5 console.

I am 2.5hrs in and really enjoying the fast paced & brutal gameplay accompanied by a really good soundtrack - this game scratches an old itch that I didn't realise I had & does it perfectly. Feels like renaissance of my old shooter-filled PS1 gaming days.

I am already looking forward to the sequel after what I experienced with Doom (2016) so far & I'm almost sure I will jump on it straight away after this.