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DOOMis one of the longest-running video game franchises ever, spanning several generations and featuring countless ports, compilations, expansions, and re-releases. There are just so many demons to slay, and with such a storied series likeDOOM, many players are wondering where they should start with the franchise.
DOOMcan essentially be split into two distinct eras, which makes finding a jumping-on point quite easy. There arethe original retro games from the ’90s, and then there’s the reboot trilogy, starting with the 2016 reboot. It’s all connected, but there are multiple entries that work well for new players looking to give the series a shot.
DOOM Games in Release Order
Playing through theDOOMgames in release order is a great way to experience the franchise since the original games hold up so well.
All these games are available on modern platforms, so it’s incredibly easy to enjoy them all. Starting withDOOM (2016)is another solid choice, especially since that game is frequently available on Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus. It’s really hard to go wrong here.
DOOM Games in Chronological Order
TheDOOMtimeline does jump around in some key areas, however, so the playing order will be a bit different for those who want to experience everything in chronological order. The main shakeup compared to the release order list involvesThe Dark Ages, which isa prequel to the 2016 reboot.
The story is very light in the earlierDOOMgames, so starting with the modern games is totally fine. For those interested in the lore, the modern games do a great job of filling players in on any gaps they may have missed.
Where Does DOOM 3 Fit Into the DOOM Timeline?
DOOM 3is absent from the timeline list because it exists in a strange gray area.DOOM 3is still a mainline game, but it really has nothing to do with the rest of the series. It’s not a bad game by any means at all, but it’s a departure fromthe high-octane action that the series is known for. Plus, there are some dimensional shenanigans that cementDOOM 3firmly in its own corner away from the other mainline entries.
Like the rest of theDOOMgames, though,DOOM 3can be played at any point in the series. It’s really easy to jump around theDOOMfranchise (it does run on everything, after all), so players should really just find whichever game appeals to them the most and then start from there.
