3) DOOM
id Software have continued the trend of excellent Bethesda published FPS games that started with Wolfenstein, and that feels entirely appropriate given the two games’ intertwined history. As a pure gameplay experience, DOOM is hellish fun that really does feel very much rooted to the old-school titles that its legacy gave birth to. id Software have done a terrific job recapturing the essence of the original franchise and making it still feel relevant among the hordes of open world, menu and equipment heavy shooters.
DOOM does away with detailed storytelling and bombarding you with lore, as it doesn’t waste any time in building suspense, preferring to throw you head first into mad action sequences. Indeed, within the first 30 seconds of its campaign you’re already blowing the heads off angry demons and ripping the limbs from their bodies. Accompanied by its angry heavy metal soundtrack, the game really does boil down to clearing rooms full of enemies in mad lightening-paced gameplay, but that’s what DOOM should be about, and that’s just fine with us.
[zergpaid]The further through DOOM players get, the better the action becomes as you unlock new abilities that increase the pace of combat and the agility of “doomguy” to hectic, near berserk speeds. The game always encourages you to attack, and even when your life dwindles to near death, the only way on is forward as you mow enemies down to regain dropped health packs. DOOM is brutal, frantic and ridiculous. It is devilish entertainment that reminds us that solid gameplay is always a game’s most important attribute.
DOOM is definitely a welcome change of pace and while it might not be perfect, it’s certainly going to be on most people’s shortlist of standout games when we review the year’s biggest highlights.
For our full thoughts on the game, read our in-depth review.