Summary
Doomis arguably the most influential FPS in gaming history. While FPS games existed before,Doomwas the first to popularize the genre in the general gamer consciousness,making the iconic silhouette of the Doomslayer synonymous with FPS games.Much of the FPS genre owes its existence toDoom, the original that pioneered many mechanics that became standard for the genre.
While the entire FPS genre owes a lot to it, some games wear theirDoominfluences on their sleeves. These games take pride in their direct inspiration, defying norms and theCall of Dutyesthetics that have defined the genre since the mid-2000s. Whether it’s worldbuilding, fast-paced combat, the story of someone fighting hellish demons, or a combination of all three, here are the best FPS games that take inspiration fromDoom.
TheKilling Floorfranchise started in 2009 with the first game, which was released in a truly post-Doomworld.Doomhad been a dormant franchise sinceDoom 3in 2004, and fans were clamoring for a successor. That’s where Tripwire Interactive stepped in with theirDoom-inspired co-op shooter.
Killing Floor 2is where the franchise found its footing. Despite releasing close to the 2016 reboot ofDoom,Killing Floor 2still managed to garner a lot of positivity and sold extremely well on account ofproviding a co-op experience, contrary toDoom’ssingle-player focus.
ThePainkillerfranchise has had a startlingly similar trajectory to theDoomseries.Painkillerstarted with a great couple of games that fans of FPS games andDoomlatched on to in the wake of the disappointingDoom 3.
Painkillerwas an even darker take on the FPS genre. While the premise and gameplay were quite similar toDoom’s,Painkiller’stake on a demonic invasion of Earth is a more serious one.Although the sequels didn’t live up to the original, the originalPainkilleris still an incredible game. Now is the best time to jump into the franchise with aDoom(2016)-inspired reboot in the works.
Forgive Me Fatheris a unique boomer shooter in a sea of retro-inspired FPS games that sets itself apart by implementing a comic book art style. TheDoominspiration is clear in the combat and the story premise of a lone man fighting against hordes of monsters.
However,Forgive Me Fathersets its story in a Lovecraftian world, and players are made tobattle eldritch creatures instead of hell spawn.Both the original and its sequel are fun first-person shooters with a lot of personality and an engaging story that fans ofDoomshould definitely check out.
Players take control of aProdeusagent in a science facility. There is no deep or complex plot here. The only goal is to fight through fun and brutal arena-style levels to find a way out.
Prodeustruly wears itsDoominfluence on its sleeve. From weapons that harken back to theDoomfranchise’s iconic armory, to the retro art style, to the premise where players take control of a nameless futuristic soldier,Prodeuspays homage to its inspiration while implementing fast-paced combat with verticality that closely resembles the modernDoomgames.
Turbo Overkillis a different breed of boomer shooter. It doesn’t simply pay homage to the retro FPS games likeDoom; it takes what makes those games great and elevates them in fun and significant ways.
While it markets itself as a retro-inspired shooter,Turbo Overkill’sinspirations more closely resemble the newDoomtrilogy than the 90s shooters. The game implements modern ideas like upgradeable weapons, vehicle gameplay, andcutscenes that aid an interesting story,while maintaining a connection to 90s shooters likeDoomthrough its art style.
As far as unique games go, they don’t get much more unique thanMetal: Hellsinger. It is a rhythm FPS where players battle their way through the eight hells. It doesn’t get much moreDoomthan that, except for the distinguishing factor of it being a rhythm FPS.
Few things in life are as exhilarating asblasting demons to the beats of metal music.Metal: Hellsingerdoes a great job with an unexpected premise, and the developers have managed to craft a truly unique and amazing FPS experience. And it can be played in VR.
Warhammer 40,000is one of the most popular franchises in the world. The one thing the franchise has struggled with up until recently is videogame adaptations, which is why fans rejoiced at the 2023 release ofBoltgun. WhileSpace Marine 2is the more popular of the two recent greatWarhammeradaptations,Boltgundid it first and set a precedent.
TheWarhammer 40,000franchise is filled with aesthetics, weaponry, and lore that lend themselves perfectly to aDoom-like shooter. It is a match made in heaven (or hell), andBoltgundoes a great job of crafting an FPS that perfectly combines the gameplay ofDoomwith theWarhammer 40,000universe.
Quakewas id Software’s follow-up toDoom 1and2. They decided to step up the gameplay for their next flagship series.Quakeintroduced a lot of innovations to the gameplay, pioneered byDoom,while maintaining the aesthetic and the brutality introduced by its predecessor.
While the series may not have made as much of an impression on gamers' consciousness,it has left its distinct imprint on gaming.While many modern retro-inspired shooters take their stylistic cues fromDoom, their gameplay often more closely resemblesQuake. Despite releasing in 1996, the originalQuakeand its subsequent sequels are still a hell of a lot of fun.
The late 2010s saw the start of a wave of retro-inspired boomer shooters.Duskwas one of the first to explore this style of FPS and popularize it among players. Despite being one of the first of its kind,Duskis one of the best boomer shooters, with the developers being quite open about their influences, which includeDoom.
Duskputs players in charge of a nameless treasure hunter battling waves of cultists, militants, and demons in fast-paced, bullet hell action. The game even boasts a very fun multiplayer component.
Ultrakillis arguably the most famous and beloved boomer shooter. It was released in early access in 2020 and remains in that state at present. However, despite not being a feature-complete game yet,Ultrakillhas already cemented itself as one of the best of its genre by taking inspiration from both the old and the newDoomgames with a perfect combination of modern movement mechanics and retro style.
Ultrakillhas the weapon variety, pace, and gory spectacle expected of the genre. It distinguishes itself by introducing robot arms as a gameplay mechanic, which spices up gameplay with the potential for combos. The story is surprisingly deep, too, and definitely worth experiencing for fans of theDoomseries.
