Doom

No shooter can give you the same rush as the 2016 reboot of DOOM does, at least for me. In an age in where first-person shooter are almost only about the multiplayer, it's a relief to know that when single-player ones are created, they still kick ass. After development hell, a fitting title to a game centred around hell. The combat in the game is fast, and absolutely bloody. Every weapon, excepting the basic Pistol, is powerful enough to be viable in any situation, but are more useful some times than others. Each one of the dozens of demons is unique in its own way, and some, like the Possessed Engineer can be a life-saver in some situations, while others are annoying pests, such as the Summoner, who teleports around the place, spawning enemies to overwhelm you. Other factors heavily, and positively, improve the combat for me, such as the removal of reloading, which saves you from slowing down or glory kills, which is one of the only ways to last on higher difficulties. The soundtrack is one of the most unforgettable in a video game, containing incredibly heavy guitars, strange pedals, in-your-face synths and even a choir when need be. Just to think what the music for this game would've been if Bethesda's idea of no metal in the DOOM soundtrack had gone through. Another thing that the DOOM franchise has been pushing since the first game is graphics, and my god does this game look gorgeous. The locales are all wonderfully textured, and you'd be hard pressed to find anything that looks horrendous in this game. Secrets are littered across the world; and in every level weapons that are introduced in the next level can be found, and also Classic maps, which let you explore older maps from the first two DOOM games, and the jarring difference between the pixelated background and the beautifully rendered demons is almost comedic. The story is nothing much to worry about. It's a normal Science-Fiction story, with humans finding a new type of energy, trying to extract it, not noticing the massive repercussions that are bound to ensue. If you still crave some more out of the game, there are a couple options, although this game's campaign is quite a good-deal long, and extremely re-playable, especially for its miniscule price. SnapMap is a handy feature which allows you to create your very own map, and also explore other player's creations. The game does a good job teaching you, and you can probably read every tutorial in the seven years it takes to load SnapMap. There is also multiplayer, which died quicker than a honeybee. And at least the honeybee was useful. Whereas DOOM's multiplayer wasn't. And if you don't want either, well, kiddo, you're outta options. To recap, DOOM is certainly my favourite shooter to ever be released, with its high-octane combat, unforgettable demons and even less forgettable soundtrack. I'm certainly excited for DOOM Eternal.

'Doom (2016)' is a highly praised revival of the classic 'first-person shooter' series that gives it its name. Its praise is well-deserved; it's one of the most energetic, engaging and enjoyable entries in its genre. The game's focus is firmly on its running and gunning, with its story serving simply to get you from demon-killing set-piece to demon-killing set-piece. The story is serviceable - decent, even - but to pretend that it isn't there to enable the gameplay doesn't do anyone any favours. The gameplay primarily consists of shooting, with a few platforming sequences thrown in to spice things up, so it's a good thing that the shooting is incredibly satisfying. There are a wide variety of weapons, each with customisable secondary fire, and the game never restricts your access to them (once they're initially unlocked, which doesn't take long). They all have a tactile response and every shot does tangible damage to your opponents, often splattering them across the environment. The controls are tight and responsive, allowing you to glide around the stages and blast your foes with ease. Indeed, you hardly ever stand still, with movement being the key to survival in any encounter. There is also a mechanic wherein you regain health by finishing off a weakened foe with a melee execution, incentivising you to keep fighting even when close to death. These so-called 'glory kills' are supremely gratifying, providing just a moment's respite along with a helping of over-the-top gore. The same is true of the chainsaw kills, which refill ammo, and the area-clearing 'BFG' (the 'B' stands for big, the 'G' stands for gun and the 'F'... well, you can guess what the 'F' stands for). The game is surprisingly long for what it is, but it never gets tiresome. By ramping up its difficulty and the number of enemies you have to face, it keeps things feeling just fresh enough to see you through to its conclusion. Plus, it has a good sense of progression thanks to its upgrades and challenges. There are also tons of secrets to find, as is expected with the series. The whole thing feels like a throwback to a simpler time of 'first-person shooters', a time in which the gameplay came first and the spectacle was all player driven. It's highly enjoyable right from the start and, if you can keep up with its lightening-quick pace, it's a hugely satisfying experience. 8/10

Pros:

• Chaotic and lightning fast gameplay
• Good level design
• Amazing music
• Good range of weapons and upgrades
• Good variety of enemy types
• SnapMap is a great side mode

Cons:

• Story is forgettable (but who cares...)
• Can get abit repetitive

Verdict: Doom excels as one entity, a demon murdering FPS shooter with super fast in your face gameplay.

8/10.

A incredible return to form for both the DOOM franchise after so long and id software as they prove once again that they are the kings of first person shooters. At its core is the same excellent base that is the original DOOM yet has been updated to fit today's industry perfectly without sacrificing it's identity and compromises every mechanic in place to work in tandem with one another, rather than cluster it together trying to be like everything else that sells, because it knows that its DOOM and it knows exactly what people want from it so it doesn't try to be anything and instead offers a fully realised campaign of pure carnage, mayhem and gore over 10-15 hours with every moment feeling intense and exciting. Well paced as well with simple puzzles that don't break up the action heavily and are spared enough to not become annoying, guns and combat feel incredible with the sound design and control being light and responsive, beautiful environments and monster designs, great OST, Surprisingly strong characterisation with DOOM Guy himself expressed through his actions which are genuinely funny and loads of contents within the single player alone. The only issues within the actual campaign is that there are a few moments where the game does stop you for a cut-scene and while they are far apart and generally quick they can be slow for DOOM and the Glory Kill system in place, while its done extremely well here for what it is as it does also lend itself to a great risk and reward system with the health encouraging players to head on to get health rather than hide away, can break the pace slightly as now you have to land the kill otherwise the monsters are fine and that can be annoying.

However with all that said DOOM isn't amazing in every area as then there's the multiplayer which has potential from a game play standpoint overall as its still the basic control and weapons from the single player, but at this moment is horribly unbalanced and plagued by weapon load outs which just don't work in DOOM and its fast paced nature with picking weapons on the fly as now its restricting you to select weapons so it feels unfair as new players with have terrible weapons in comparison to those with higher levels so the multiplayer needs a lot of work, but like stated the core is fine its the mechanics around it that ruins it.

Finally there's the Snap map feature which is alright for a easy map creator but is NO match for the legacy of Original DOOM Mods. It is very simple to pick it up and design a level from a base standpoint and people have done some interesting levels but its horribly restricted in comparison to the amount of ridiculous fun that people have had modding the original as it was open for anything while DOOM 2016 is more restricted overall with what players can accomplish. Not bad for what it is and has potential like the multiplayer but is still restricted.

But overall despite the Snap Map and multiplayer being weaker, the single player campaign is so solid and em-composes everything that is DOOM so well that i can rate it highly on the campaign alone, as there is so much to do and find with secrets and challenges (id as well have been saying that they would fix the multiplayer soon as well and already adding more content to the Snap Map). A amazing return to form for DOOM and shooters in general.

Doom 2016 is near excellent. Let me break down the pros and cons real quick.

Pros:

• Adrenaline Pumping Combat that feels like the old school Doom games with some new mechanics, like jumping and weapon mods
• Sick Weapons
• Great Graphics
• A story that's short and simple, and barely has any cutscenes.
• Doom Guy is still great. His personality is told through his actions, and the game keeps him silent like the originals.
• An upgrade system that makes the game more replayable.
• Tons of Secrets and Collectibles
• Top Notch Sound Design
• Good Creature Design
• Fun Boss Fights
• An excellent soundtrack that makes the combat x1000 more intense.
• Snap Map is cool.

Cons:

• Mediocre multiplayer. It aims for a classic Quake/ Arena Shooter feel, but the class system ruins it.

Verdict: Doom 2016 is a great game for any Doom fan and fan of old-school shooters. It's a must buy. The multiplayer is not that great, but you don't play a Doom game for the multiplayer. Overall, this game is insanely good, and it's the Best Shooter of 2016, and also one of the best shooters I've played in a long time.