Even so, “DOOM” is a classic for a reason: beyond how revolutionary it was, it’s a game that comes pretty damn close to being “timeless” and it still looks and feels just as good even as it pushes towards its 30th birthday. Also, I think some of the puzzles in the game do feel a bit obtuse and frustrating to deal with, and it takes away from the game just a little bit. Now, I will admit, there are a few elements of the game that haven’t really aged fantastically: for starters, a number of the maps often feel like they’re a bit too big, and that can lead to some rather repetitive moments, especially when the level design starts to blur together just a bit.
John Romero, in all his glory, went balls-to-the-wall with this one, yet his unrelenting approach makes the game all the more compelling even after almost 30 years. The pixelated graphics still look great today, the controls are still extremely smooth, and even playing it in 2020 on the Nintendo Switch, in a generation where first-person shooters have been all the rage and have been pushed even further than this, “DOOM” is still just plain addicting. The gunplay is simple at first, but the game still packs a good challenge as you get further into it. “DOOM” is a game that is built on pure adrenaline: it’s fast-paced and exciting, never hesitating to spill even an ounce of blood along the way. Now, it might be easy to look at a game like this and immediately think “hmm…that probably hasn’t aged well.” And, sure, I’ll admit there are elements to it that hasn’t, but beyond simply being able to appreciate what “DOOM” did for gaming, I have to say that I still think it’s very good.
This game, the original 1993 title, was revolutionary in the realm of FPS titles, right alongside “Wolfenstein 3D,” and pioneered a number of things we see not only in FPS games today, but in video games in general (it also happened to be one of gaming’s first big controversies, might I add), leading to so many “DOOM clones” soon after its release. With “DOOM Eternal” on the horizon, what better time to look at the classic “DOOM” games than now? Most of you guys probably know a thing or With “DOOM Eternal” on the horizon, what better time to look at the classic “DOOM” games than now? Most of you guys probably know a thing or two about “DOOM,” whether it’s from playing the original 1993 classic or the excellent 2016 remake that I’d argue is in the masterclass of modern-day first-person shooters.