Since its ground-breaking release in 1993, the Doom franchise has defined and redefined the first-person shooter genre. Created by id Software, this iconic series set the gold standard for fast-paced combat, killer metal soundtracks, and gruesome demon-slaying action. Across three decades, the Doom Slayer has traversed Hell, Earth, and Phobos, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.
With multiple mainline entries, spin-offs, and soft reboots, not every title hits the same high note. In this definitive list, we rank every major Doom game from worst to best based on gameplay mechanics, innovation, legacy, and overall fun factor.
8. Doom VFR
Released in 2017, Doom VFR attempted to adapt the relentless combat of modern shooters to virtual reality hardware. While taking down demons in VR sounds like a dream come true, the execution was hampered by awkward control schemes and restrictive teleportation movement options.
The campaign is relatively short compared to mainline releases, acting more like a brief technical showcase than a full-fledged adventure. Despite these control drawbacks, crushing a Cyberdemon in VR offers genuine thrills, but Doom VFR remains the weakest entry in an otherwise stellar lineup.
7. Final Doom
Released in 1996, Final Doom is essentially a pair of official community-developed megawads: TNT: Evilution and The Plutonia Experiment. While it brought 64 new levels to dedicated fans hungry for more classic action, it offered virtually no new weapons, enemies, or engine upgrades.
The difficulty level in Final Doom, particularly in The Plutonia Experiment, was notoriously unforgiving, featuring aggressive monster placement designed exclusively for hardcore players. While it remains a fun challenge for veterans, it lacks the original creative spark that made its predecessors world-famous.
6. Doom 3
When id Software released Doom 3 in 2004, they made a bold design pivot away from high-speed arena combat in favor of survival horror. Armed with groundbreaking dynamic lighting tech, Doom 3 traded open demonic arenas for claustrophobic, dark corridors filled with jump scares.
The gameplay forced players to constantly switch between holding a flashlight and holding a weapon, heightening the tension. While controversial among fans who missed the frantic speed of original entries, Doom 3 is an incredible horror game in its own right, offering unmatched atmosphere and terrifying monster design.
5. Doom II: Hell on Earth
Arriving just one year after the original, Doom II: Hell on Earth took everything that worked in 1993 and amplified it. It introduced iconic new demons like the Arch-Vile, Mancubus, and Revenant, alongside the legendary Super Shotgun—a weapon that remains a staple of the first-person shooter genre to this day.
Although the level design in the latter half of Doom II: Hell on Earth relies heavily on confusing city mazes, its contribution to arena combat and sandbox encounter design cannot be overstated.
4. Doom 64
For years, Doom 64 was overlooked as a simple console port, but it is actually a completely unique, canonical sequel. Featuring darker visuals, ambient soundscapes, updated sprite models, and exclusive weapons like the Unmaker, Doom 64 established a moodier tone that bridged the gap between classic shooter gameplay and genuine horror.
Its intricate level design and eerie atmosphere make Doom 64 one of the most underappreciated gems in the entire shooter genre, fully earning its modern resurgence on current platforms.
3. Doom (1993)
The original Doom is one of the most influential video games ever made. By introducing pioneering pseudo-3D graphics, network multiplayer deathmatches, and custom modding capabilities, it revolutionized the entire gaming industry overnight.
Level design by John Romero and American McGee remains a masterclass in spatial pacing and hidden secrets. Decades after its initial launch, the original Doom remains endlessly replayable, satisfying, and deeply fun.
2. Doom (2016)
After a long period of development limbo, id Software accomplished the impossible with Doom (2016). Rather than following modern shooter trends like cover mechanics and auto-healing, it forced players to run headfirst into combat to regain health and ammo using aggressive "Glory Kills."
Combined with a thunderous industrial metal soundtrack by Mick Gordon and fluid movement mechanics, Doom (2016) brought the franchise back to the top of the gaming world with uncompromising attitude and style.
1. Doom Eternal
Taking the top spot on our ranking is Doom Eternal. Building upon its 2016 predecessor, this masterpiece elevated combat into a high-speed game of tactical resource management often described as combat chess.
Equipped with a shoulder-mounted flamethrower, dash abilities, a meat-hook shotgun, and weakness-targeting mechanics, Doom Eternal rewards mastery like no other game. It boasts incredible level variety, breathtaking set pieces, and the most refined first-person combat engine ever created.
Overview of the Franchise
| Game Title | Release Year | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Doom | 1993 | Pioneered the modern FPS genre |
| Doom II: Hell on Earth | 1994 | Introduced the Super Shotgun |
| Final Doom | 1996 | Challenging megawad level packs |
| Doom 64 | 1997 | Dark atmospheric Nintendo 64 exclusive |
| Doom 3 | 2004 | Survival horror approach with dynamic lighting |
| Doom | 2016 | Modern reboot featuring aggressive Glory Kills |
| Doom VFR | 2017 | Virtual reality action experience |
| Doom Eternal | 2020 | Peak mechanical speed and resource combat |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Doom game should beginners start with?
For modern gamers, starting with Doom (2016) is highly recommended as it introduces modern mechanics while capturing the core spirit of the franchise. Classic gaming enthusiasts should start with original Doom (1993).
Is Doom 3 connected to Doom Eternal?
Doom 3 takes place in an alternate continuity focused on horror, whereas Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal directly connect back to the story of the original classic games and Doom 64.
Final Thoughts
Few gaming franchises have maintained such a consistently high standard of quality over three decades. Whether you prefer the retro pixelated corridors of Doom (1993) or the high-octane spectacle of Doom Eternal, the series offers some of the finest shooting experiences in video game history.
