Since the widely acclaimed Doom was released in 1993, video games have based their design around the series. Doom is a sci-fi first-person shooter that is known for being the earliest to put the genre on the map. Someone was even audacious enough to get Doom running on a McDonald's cash register! Decades later, Doom continues to be relevant with a 2016 reboot.
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In between entries of this legendary FPS franchise, players have time to try other first-person shooters along the lines of Doom. Doom (2016) has a story that deals with the afterlife and is complicated enough that it isn't convoluted or unnecessary. Set on the planet Mars, the protagonist Doom Slayer must endure an onslaught of demonic entities. There are many brutal games like Doom that fans of the franchise need to play.
Updated on May 8, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Doom is a game that needs no introduction. This violent FPS set the gaming landscape ablaze with its captivating gameplay, turning the FPS genre into a hallmark of the industry and leading to the rise of the DOOM clone era that is still going on, albeit in a more muted capacity. The game's classic title has been coined a boomer shooter by many, with many games trying to emulate this gameplay with varying degrees of success. Players who love Doom and want to check out more titles in the same vein will find so many options at their behest that it can genuinely be overwhelming for some.
31 Prodeus
A Boomer Shooter With Everything Fans Of Classic Doom Could Ask For
Prodeus
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS4 , PS5 , Switch , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- September 23, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Bounding Box Software
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Prodeus combines both the old and the new to make for a tantalizing combination of eras that fans of classic FPS games will have a great time with. It doesn't take an expert to see that this game is very much in the same vein as the original Doom, with its unique art style and brutal combat making it a perfect pick for fans of this genre-defining FPS.
The gameplay in Prodeus rewards mobility and ingenuity in combat. Players must be on their toes and not become a sitting duck for the many attacks aimed at their way, which can spell certain doom if they don't play the game as it should be.
30 Dusk
A Fast-Paced FPS With A Compelling Setting And Nostalgic Graphics
David Szymanski is one of the most notable indie game developers of all time, with his outspoken voice in the video game community being appreciated by many. It helps that his games are quite notable in their own right, with Dusk being the title that arguably kickstarted his journey to gaming fame.
The unique setting of Dusk coupled with its familiar shooting mechanics make it a blast to play through, with exploration being rewarded in heaps and bounds. Players who love Doom will love the classic gameplay of Dusk, only to fall in love with the storytelling and unique art style that ties the package together in a neat and tidy manner.
29 Duke Nukem 3D
One Of The Biggest Doom Clones That Fans Love To This Day Because Of A Charismatic Protagonist
Duke Nukem 3D is one of the most legendary video games ever made, letting players get up close and personal with a crass hero who loves spouting one-liners and being as masculine as possible. There's no denying that Duke's character has aged poorly, but players willing to look past that will enjoy a great FPS full of fun combat and relentless humor.
The adventures of the Duke as he takes out wave after wave of aliens make for a great time, and the unique interactions in this title make it a pretty memorable experience. Duke's presence in the industry isn't all that prominent anymore, but that shouldn't take away anything from what is a solid retro FPS that deserves all the praise it has received and then some.
28 Metal: Hellsinger
Combines Rhythm Games And FPS Gameplay With Doom-Inspired Visuals
Indie gaming has been a breath of fresh air for an industry that has been mired in soulless cash grabs for quite some time now. The idea of combining the rhythm genre with a fast-paced first-person shooter is something that no one could've imagined.
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Now, games like Metal: Hellsinger show just how viable this combination is. The hellish imagery is very much in line with Doom, and players will love the soundtrack as they blast their way through levels and take out enemies with great finesse.
27 BPM: Bullets Per Minute
Arguably Kickstarted The Rage For Rhythm-Action Hybrid Games
BPM: Bullets Per Minute
- Platform(s)
- PS5 , PS4 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC , Switch
- Released
- September 15, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Playtonic Games , Just Add Water
- Genre(s)
- FPS , Rhythm
A game that came out of nowhere and grabbed every player's attention from the get-go, BPM: Bullets Per Minute was a great showcase of how adhering to the rhythm of a beat could make something as simple as an FPS way more engaging.
The soundtrack is amazing and BPM's action places it a cut above most other FPS titles that aim to channel Doom's frenetic action. The gameplay loop is both unique and familiar at the same time, contributing to BPM's appeal as one of the best indie shooters fans can get their hands on.
26 F.E.A.R. First Encounter Assault Recon
Combines Action-Packed Shooting, Smart AI, And Horror Elements In A Riveting Package
It's a shame that the F.E.A.R. series has become a fragment of the past, with this series being a technical marvel in its heyday. To this day, the AI of this game still wows players with how tactical enemies are, making sure to give players a hard time as they try to take out the many foes that stand in their way.
The atmosphere of F.E.A.R. is easily one of its best parts, and players who finish this game won't be forgetting Alma Wade anytime soon. The frenetic action of this title makes it a classic old-school FPS that fans of Doom should check out, as long as they don't get too scared by its underlying horror elements.
25 Wolfenstein: The New Order
A Return To Form For B.J. Blazkowicz With Amazing Shooting Action
Another series that received a successful reboot just like Doom is Wolfenstein: The New Order. The last thing most people expected from a legendary video game series about killing Nazis was a story-driven experience, so it's genuinely impressive just how high-budget and exciting The New Order's narrative is.
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The balance between story and gameplay was perfect, and many fans felt like the sequel put too much emphasis on the story while adding repetitive side missions that didn't feel all that fresh. Players who want to see what a good video game reboot is all about should play Wolfenstein: The New Order.
24 Dusk
An Ode To The Golden Age Of FPS Games, Including Doom
The rise of indie gaming has led to the development of several titles that have tried to capture the magic of retro FPS titles, with Dusk being one such game. It is developed by the man behind indie breakouts like Iron Lung and Rust, David Szymanski.
Dusk is a fun Lovecraftian-themed FPS where players battle several nightmarish horrors as they uncover the mystery surrounding the eponymous rural town. The gunplay is tough yet engaging, and players have to hone their skills to get through the tougher sections of this game unscathed.
23 Ion Fury
A Fast-Paced FPS With Shades Of Duke Nukem And Doom
After Bombshell turned out to be a critical and commercial failure, it's genuinely impressive that the developers didn't give up on this IP, as is the norm with most other video game flops in gaming's modern era. This time, instead of a top-down shooter approach, Ion Fury took on a classic first-person approach that ended up paying dividends.
Ion Fury was a fun game in every way and a title that fans of Doom and Duke Nukem 3D should check out. The fact that the voice actor of Duke himself appears as the main villain is a testament to how well this title understands its target demographic.
22 Ghostrunner
Amazing Combination Of Platforming, Fast-Paced Action, And Brutal Difficulty
Ghostrunner
- Platform(s)
- PS5 , PS4 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC , Switch
- Released
- October 27, 2020
- Genre(s)
- Action
- Developer(s)
- One More Level , Slipgate Ironworks
Ghostrunner is a fast-paced first-person action-platformer hybrid that will scratch the itch of many players who love hardcore gameplay. Dodging attacks in midair and killing enemies in a cool and brutal manner is one of the biggest draws of this title that never ceases to be engaging.
While Ghostrunner doesn't feature any shooting gameplay, most fans of Doom won't mind after seeing just how cool this game is. Surpassing a challenge after struggling for ages makes for a great time indeed and is one of the biggest draws of this title's addictive gameplay loop.
21 Ultrakill
Adrenaline-Inducing FPS Gameplay
While Ultrakill is still in Early Access, the game has still attracted many fans who love what's on offer in this title. The game's retro-inspired gameplay will be perfect for fans of Doom who want to enjoy an FPS in the same vein.
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The two Acts of this game have been met with rave reviews, with both fans and critics loving the brutality of the gameplay on offer. The final release will feature the full campaign — something that ardent fans simply can't wait for.
20 Soldier Of Fortune 2
Brutal, Classic FPS Combat That Serves As A Great Throwback For Players
- Released: May 31, 2002
- Developer: Raven Software
- Platforms: PC, Xbox
For a game that was released in 2002, it's genuinely amazing to see just how fleshed out the gore systems of Soldier of Fortune 2 were. Players could shoot enemies at various parts of their bodies to kill them in a myriad of ways.
Some of these deaths were extremely brutal, with players being able to hit different parts of a dead body and watch these areas react realistically to the bullets being aimed their way. It was an extremely violent game that has become a cult classic of sorts nowadays.
19 Postal 2
A Satirical And Violent Take On America, Fueled By Demented FPS Combat
Postal 2
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Released
- April 13, 2003
- Developer
- Running with Scissors
- Genre(s)
- FPS , Open-World
The phrase "going Postal" has become pretty popular, and fans have this game to thank for that. At a glance, Postal 2 doesn't seem like the most revolutionary game around, but it's when players start messing around in the game that they truly find out the depths of their character's depravity.
Postal 2 is a highly controversial game that doesn't shy away from violence. While the problematic nature of this game is up for debate, there's no denying that the game is extremely violent and lets players kill off enemies in the most creative — and sometimes hilarious — ways.
18 Hell Let Loose
A Fun FPS That Rewards Tactics With Some Brutal And Satisfying Victories
Hell Let Loose
- Platform(s)
- PS5 , PC , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- July 27, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Black Matter
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
This multiplayer tactical first-person shooter might not let players run rampant with their guns, but the degree of violence in this game is pretty intense. This makes it a great candidate for brutal games like Doom.
Hell Let Loose might not be the most popular shooter around, but managing to play a single game will let players witness the true carnage of war. The gore here might be overt, but it's not for show and serves a purpose. The horrors of war are not something to be glorified, and Hell Let Loose personifies this statement to a T.
17 Unreal Tournament: Game Of The Year Edition
Arena Shooting At Its Best
Unreal Tournament is one of the most beloved and revolutionary first-person shooters. Racking up kills as the narrator commends the player at every step of the way is nothing short of an absolute blast.
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The Game of the Year Edition is easily the best version of this game, featuring some amazing content and great gunplay that still holds up to this day. This fast-paced arena shooter was so popular that most people still don't think this game has been topped to this day.
16 Serious Sam 4
A Throwback To The Era Of Classic FPS Games Throwing As Many Enemies As Possible Towards A Player
- Released: September 24, 2020
- Developer: Croteam
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
The Serious Sam series is one of the most underrated FPS franchises around, allowing players to adopt classic run-and-gun tactics as they shoot down wave upon wave of otherworldly enemies. For the longest time, players assumed that Serious Sam would end its legacy as a trilogy of games.
So, these people were pleasantly surprised to hear the announcement of a fourth game in the series. It's a great title that combines the old-school gameplay of the series with modern improvements to make for the best Serious Sam experience that longtime fans loved.
15 Bulletstorm
Encourages Stylish Combat That's As Engaging As It Gets
While Bulletstorm plays out closer to a modern military shooter than a classic '90s romp, it certainly does not hold back when it comes to creative kills. With an enjoyable over-the-top narrative that presents countless opportunities to tear enemies apart, Bulletstorm balances a decent selection of guns with an energy leash that is an absolute blast to use.
A downside to Bulletstorm is that it does not offer too great of a challenge, even at its highest difficulty. Therefore, this is one game that allows players to brutally demolish fodder enemies without the constant fear that the same will happen in reverse. Also, Duke Nukem is in some versions.
14 Devil Daggers
Fun Arena-Shooting Gameplay That Ramps Up The Challenge In Each Run
This 2016 indie game strips down the classic FPS experience to its bare minimum. Dropped into an arena that forever fills with spawning mobs, the goal is to survive for as long as possible while taking out hundreds of enemies.
It is a simple concept that works brilliantly due to Devil Daggers' responsive and frantic gameplay. This is one of those titles that makes the basic acts of moving and shooting fun while ensuring players never have a moment's rest. Once a session is underway and a rhythm is established, Devil Daggers can be cathartic.
13 Blood
One Of The Many Games Inspired By Doom That Merged Its Frenetic Action With A Riveting Dark Fantasy Setting
Anyone fond of Doom's earliest games should feel right at home with 1997's Blood, which was remastered in 2019 as Blood: Fresh Supply. Caleb is a gunslinger out for revenge against the god Tchernobog, and his quest involves plenty of gore, humor, and inventive weaponry.
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Blood is one of the best shooters of the '90s, even if it never quite garnered the same reputation as Doom or Quake. As far as old-school shooters are concerned, this one is difficult to beat.
12 Hard Reset
Relentless Action Where Maintaining A Fast Pace Is Critical To One's Success
- Released: September 13, 2011
- Developer: Flying Wild Hog
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Sometimes, there is nothing more satisfying than ceaseless carnage. Hard Reset does not pretend to be anything sophisticated or deep; the point is to simply destroy everything that moves en route to the end of a level. This proves to be rather difficult to accomplish as Hard Reset eventually begins to throw full armies at the player, crafting an energetic symphony of explosions, corpses, and electricity.
Hard Reset features a unique upgrade system revolving around two weapons, although everything else screams "'90s shooter."
