Summary
- Doom 3 strayed from the series' fast-paced combat, opting for survival-horror elements.
- Doom 64's combat was methodical with a focus on atmosphere, but lacked variety.
- Doom Eternal refined combat with new weapons and enemy designs, offering immersive gameplay.
The Doom franchise ranks among the most popular and influential in videogame history, helping revolutionize the First-Person Shooter genre and shaping the design of many similar games. Its main strength has always been its combat, throwing players into frenzied action against hordes of demons while they move through the levels and wield different weapons to reach that goal.
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So, the Doom games with the best combat are precisely those that manage to capture the frenetic spirit the series has always shown, delivering smooth gameplay that values constant movement and remains fun. When these elements are handled well, the games give an experience that few other titles in the genre can match.
7 Doom 3
Doom Combat Underwent Major Changes In This Game
DOOM 3
- Released
- August 3, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS
After the series became known for fast pacing and constant movement, Doom 3 was released intending to bring radical changes to the game’s style. Unlike what players had grown accustomed to, the game chose a slower approach, lacking the dynamism the series had always had and often feeling more like survival horror than an FPS.
This heavier movement and the constant focus on jump scares make the combat in Doom 3 very different from what fans expected from the franchise. The need to switch between the flashlight and weapons in dark areas also did not mesh well with the game’s flow, and, although the graphics and atmosphere are interesting, the combat is not as enjoyable as in other entries.
6 Doom 64
A Very Different Entry In The Franchise
Doom 64
- Released
- April 4, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Originally, Doom 64 was conceived solely as a console game, and its PC port arrived many years later. The title introduced a darker look, a more atmospheric soundtrack, and combat with a less frantic pace; although it kept the classic weapons from Doom 2, all received remastered sprites, and it added the Unmaker, a laser cannon that grows stronger as the player finds demon keys hidden in the stages.
Despite the solid arsenal and the presence of new enemies, Doom 64 removed iconic figures such as Revenants and Arch-Viles, which affected combat variety. The protagonist’s movement gained more inertia, creating a “floating” feel that suited the focus on atmosphere but reduced dynamism; the combat still works well, with unique scripts and well-designed challenges, yet it is more contained and methodical than in the other games.
5 Doom 2
Few Improvements Over The First Game
Doom 2
- Released
- October 10, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Even though it is a sequel to one of the most popular games ever, Doom 2 offered a modest expansion of the first game’s content, improving only what was necessary. Some new weapons were added, along with new enemies for players to face, while the core FPS mechanics saw no major changes and, above all, the intense pace set by the 1993 Doom remained intact.
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Although it does not bring radical changes, Doom 2 is fondly remembered for expanding the elements that made the original so striking. The addition of the Super Shotgun altered combat rhythm by giving more impact in close-quarters encounters, and with more complex maps and greater variety, the game was important because it kept the frantic essence and further cemented the franchise’s identity.
4 Doom (1993)
Combat In This Doom Is Among The Most Fun And Important In The Series
Doom (1993)
- Released
- December 10, 1993
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
The first release of the Doom franchise shook the videogame market in many ways, creating numerous pillars that later FPS titles would use and delivering frenzied gameplay that few series have managed to copy. Although its combat was simple yet intense, the 1993 Doom was packed with labyrinthine levels full of varied enemies that forced players to switch weapons according to the different demons encountered along the way.
Fast movement based on constant running and a frenetic pace, unseen at the start of the 1990s, also contributed greatly to the game’s success and enduring legacy. While it now looks simple next to modern entries, considering its release period it delivered brutal, unforgettable combat that secures 1993 Doom a place among the best FPS titles ever made.
3 Doom (2016)
The Reboot Modernized What Doom Always Did Best
DOOM
- Released
- May 13, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Responsible for revitalizing the entire franchise, the 2016 release of Doom modernized all of its combat without abandoning the roots that had always defined the game, turning into an even more fun game. Through agile movement and constant speed, players were urged never to stand still, creating an explosive gameplay rhythm that makes the overall experience so compelling from beginning to end in every arena engagement.
The animations, especially when a player performs a Glory Kill on an enemy, also elevate quality, making this reboot one of the most well-executed in series history. In the same way the original launch changed the genre, it again brought something fresh to FPS games for modern audiences, providing aggressive gameplay paired with strong level design throughout its campaign.
2 Doom: The Dark Ages
Kept The Frenetic Pace But With More Focus On Melee Combats
DOOM: The Dark Ages
- Released
- May 15, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Doom: The Dark Ages delivers one of the most frenetic gameplays in the franchise, keeping the same explosive tempo recent titles gave players, yet focusing more on the protagonist’s melee combat against demons. The change is visible in the character’s movement, which feels slightly slower and, with the heavy armor, noticeably tankier during chaotic encounters.
One highlight that makes combat so satisfying is the Shield Saw, a new weapon that lets the Slayer both block incoming strikes and rip into enemies with a spinning blade. Although a fairly radical twist on the long-running formula, it fits nicely within the franchise’s trademark frenetic style, adding fresh depth without undermining the series’ core identity.
1 Doom Eternal
One Of The Best Combat Systems In The Entire Franchise
DOOM Eternal
- Released
- March 20, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Building on the fast style established by the 2016 release, Doom Eternal pushed the series’ combat to an extreme level, adding many innovations to gameplay that was already engaging. Every classic weapon, such as the Shotgun, Heavy Cannon, and Plasma Rifle, gained new modifications that opened fresh options in battle, not to mention the entirely new gear added to the arsenal.
These additions, combined with smarter and more complex enemy design, exemplified by the Marauders, who create some of the toughest fights, make Eternal’s combat even better, because beyond the relentless speed, players must master movement to avoid harsh punishment. As a result, the game delivers one of the most enjoyable experiences in the entire series, satisfying veterans and welcoming newcomers alike.
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