There’s an excellent argument to be made for Doom’s inclusion amongst the most influential recreation franchises of all time. It’s extensively thought-about the progenitor of the first-person shooter style that’s dominated the marketplace for a long time, paving the manner for franchises like Name of Responsibility and Halo whereas retaining its relevance with glorious trendy shooters.
As we close to the launch of the collection’ subsequent chapter, we’ve compiled a chronological record of each Doom recreation in order.
How Many Doom Games Are There?
There are six Doom video games, excluding add-ons and enhanced variations of beforehand launched video games, although these are famous inside every blurb the place relevant. Doom: The Darkish Ages will probably be the seventh mainline Doom recreation. This record excludes cell video games like Doom RPG, Doom Resurrection, and Mighty Doom.
Which Doom Sport Ought to You Play First?
There are two logical beginning factors for brand new gamers: Doom (1993) or Doom (2016). Most gamers are higher off beginning with the 2016 model given its trendy design. Nevertheless, in case you’re hellbent on experiencing the full story, your start line has to be the 1993 authentic.
Each Doom Sport in Chronological Order
The blurbs beneath comprise broad spoilers for the plot of every recreation.
1. Doom (1993)
Following the launch of id Software program’s first two video games — Commander Eager and Wolfenstein — the developer launched Doom to the world in late 1993. The shooter was launched with three episodes: Knee-Deep in the Lifeless, The Shores of Hell, and Inferno; the fourth episode, Thy Flesh Consumed, was launched in 1995 as a part of The Final Doom.
Doom begins the saga by introducing the collection’ authentic protagonist, an unnamed marine generally known as Doomguy, and sending him on a demon-slaying mission up to Mars earlier than descending to hell. It ends with Doomguy’s discovery of a demon invasion on Earth, organising the following yr’s sequel.
2. Doom II: Hell on Earth (1994)
A yr later, id Software program launched Doom II: Hell on Earth, choosing up with the demon invasion of Earth seen at the finish of Doom. Doomguy helps the survivors escape into area, leaving him as the final man on Earth, earlier than descending again into hell to shut the portal between the two realms.
Two add-on episodes have been later launched for Doom II: No Relaxation for the Dwelling in 2010 and Legacy of Rust in 2024. Last Doom was a separate, two-episode recreation created by a neighborhood of mappers in 1996, although its content material has since been consolidated into trendy variations of Doom II.
All of the post-launch episodes talked about above are set between the occasions of Doom II and Doom 64.
3. Doom 64 (1997)
Doom 64, id Software program’s third entry in the franchise (and the third chronologically), sends Doomguy again into area to take care of an escaped demon and its reincarnated military. To defeat the menace, our hero finally returns to hell, the place he chooses to dwell out his years defending humanity from the potential of future invasions.
The 2020 remaster of Doom 64 added The Misplaced Ranges, which is ready after Doom 64 and serves as a bridge between the authentic video games and the rebooted collection that started in 2016.
![Doom 64 [1997]](https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2022/05/19/doom64-1652997851375.jpg?width=114&crop=1%3A1%2Csmart&auto=webp)
4. Doom 3 (2004)
There’s no definitive reply as to the place Doom 3 exists on this timeline. Arguments have been made that it takes place earlier than Doom (1993), after Doom 64, or in an alternate timeline altogether. We’re putting it after 64 given its later launch date and our greatest understanding of the timeline, although its placement is in the end inessential to understanding the ongoing narrative.
In Doom 3, gamers step into the boots of Doom Marine, an unnamed soldier who’s not Doomguy from the earlier video games. The marine is tasked with investigating unusual incidents at a distant laboratory on Mars. What follows is a demonic invasion of the Purple Planet and the uncovering of a conspiracy to destroy humanity.
An add-on/sequel referred to as Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil was launched the following yr. It’s set two years after the occasions of Doom 3 and follows a distinct unnamed marine’s try to return an artifact to hell.
A remastered model referred to as Doom 3: BFG Version was launched in 2012 and included a brand new enlargement referred to as The Misplaced Mission, which takes place inside the occasions of Doom 3. This model can also be playable in digital actuality as Doom 3: VR Version.
5. Doom (2016)
The 2016 reboot of Doom launched Doom Slayer and commenced a brand new set of tales inside id Software program’s Doom universe. The story begins with Doom Slayer being woke up from a sarcophagus to take care of a brand new demonic menace on a Martian analysis facility. Doom Slayer, touring forwards and backwards between hell and Mars, once more thwarts the demons’ assaults, earlier than being betrayed and teleported to an unknown location.
A VR spinoff referred to as Doom VFR was launched in 2017. It’s set after the occasions of Doom and follows a Union Aerospace Company worker named Dr. Peters.
6. Doom Everlasting (2020)
The most recent recreation in the chronology is Doom Everlasting. Set after the occasions of Doom (2016), Everlasting sees Doom Slayer return to finish one other demonic invasion of Earth by killing the three Hell Clergymen. The story features a key piece of collection lore, revealing the connection between the authentic Doomguy and Doom Slayer.
Doom Everlasting prolonged the timeline with two expansions: The Historical Gods Half 1 and The Historical Gods Half 2. The 2-part story picks up after the occasions of Everlasting, with the demons gathering power in different dimensions and Doom Slayer enacting a brand new plan to destroy them. Half 1 culminates in the summoning of the Darkish Lord; Half 2 is Doom Slayer’s pursuit and confrontation of the Darkish Lord, revealing additional particulars about the hero’s previous.
Each Doom Sport By Launch Date
- Doom (1993)
- Doom II: Hell on Earth (1994)
- Doom 64 (1997)
- Doom 3 (2004)
- Doom (2016)
- Doom Everlasting (2020)
- Doom: The Darkish Ages (2025)
Upcoming Doom Games
The subsequent recreation will probably be Doom: The Darkish Ages, due out Could 15. Doom: The Darkish Ages stars Doom Slayer, a brand new and extra highly effective iteration of Doomguy that debuted in Doom (2016). The Darkish Ages is a prequel to Doom (2016) and Doom Everlasting, in accordance to Bethesda, in which gamers “step into the blood-stained boots of the Doom Slayer, in [a] never-before-seen darkish and sinister medieval struggle towards Hell.” You may try extra of IGN’s protection forward of the recreation’s launch:
Jordan covers video games, reveals, and flicks as a contract author for IGN.