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It’s safe to say that videogames have been around long enough to produce what I like to call “forever games”, those specific titles that have survived their original release, re-releases, and every attempt to make them “better” by modernizing their visuals, updating gameplay, etc, etc. That’s not to say newer games can’t become iconic, but there’s something special about knowing a specific title has managed to survive (and in some cases, thrive) decades of modernization attempts, only to revert back to its original intent.
Pac-Man is a great example, as are the original Tetris and Super Mario Bros. games. Have there been improvements and welcome additions to each game’s subsequent sequels? Sure, but none have managed to displace the original pixelated graphics, chiptunes, and especially their old-school gameplay.
Another such game is id Software’s DOOM, released in 1993, the followup to the devs own Wolfenstein 3D, and arguably the most influential first-person shooter of all-time. What more can be said about id Software’s DOOM that hasn’t been said, resaid, and said again? DOOM has become the rare franchise whose lineage happily sits alongside itself, games from different eras complementing rather than replacing each other. It’s amazing that we live in a world where both the original chunky Doomguy can exist alongside his “rip ‘n tear” counterpart seen in more recent games, letting fans choose between these two different, yet somehow related, flavors. This is how it’s done.
via YouTubeDOOM + DOOM II, a surprise release during this year’s QuakeCon 2024, combines the 2019 releases into one package, updating the backend engine to Nightdive Studios’ proprietary KEX Engine. This allows for improved performance, especially for PlayStation and Xbox users, as the games now support full 4K resolutions and buttery-smooth 120 FPS. Switch players, sadly, max out at only 1080p and 60 FPS, which is nothing to sneeze at.
But there’s more! Also included are new accessibility features like high contrast test for better legibility, improved audio options, text-to-speech, speech-to-text multiplayer chat, and more. Even better, there’s finally full crossplay across all platforms, meaning PC users can finally obliterate Nintendo gamers, who in turn can frag their obnoxious PlayStation foes while teaming up with Xbox enthusiasts. This may not bring world peace, but it’ll certainly edge us a little closer to platform harmony. While Deathmatch is more chaotic than ever, going through these levels co-op with a friend (or two) can’t be topped, but letting you have 16 (!) players all blasting Imps, Pinkies and demons is a dream come true.
Like last year’s sublime Quake 2 Remastered, DOOM + DOOM II honors not just the plethora of games contained within, but makes a great case why the original DOOM experience is pretty perfect the way it always was. Here, DOOM’s so-called limitations become welcome features that offer a respite from modern gaming, such as blasting through hordes of baddies, a forced perspective (no mouselook), a sparse narrative, and giant levels that are effectively giant puzzles to be solved.
Like checkers, it scratches a very specific itch that can only be satisfied by playing the real thing. It’s why so many so-called “boomer shooters” promise a DOOM-like experience, though none quite as fulfilling as the real thing.
The titles included are a healthy mix of base games and add-ons, including DOOM, DOOM II: Doom II: Hell on Earth, Master Levels for DOOM II, TNT: Evilution, The Plutonia Experiment, No Rest for the Living, and even original creator John Romero’s Sigil expansion. Curiously, Romeros’ Sigil II, a megawad released just last year to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary, is still available under the Featured Mods section. Why it doesn’t receive a prominent placement alongside the first Sigil is a mystery, but it’s an absolute must-play.
There’s also a new deathmatch map pack loaded with 25 new arenas to frag friends and foes alike, bringing the total available maps to well over 200. That’s…a lot.
A huge highlight for many will be “Legacy of Rust”, an all-new campaign created by members from id, Nightdive Studios, and MachineGames and is touted as the first “official” expansion since the 1990s. Spread across 16 new maps, it offers a classic DOOM experience with modern sensibilities and intricate level designs. The soundtrack by Andrew Hulshult is awesome and completely fits with the postmodern vibe, and there’s even new (and repurposed) enemies to frag and new weapons to dispatch them with. Some of the new levels can be maddening in their complexity and ramped up difficulty, but that’s exactly what makes them so satisfying when you finally manage to conquer them.
New baddies include: Ghouls, quick-packed flying skulls that lob even quicker particle attacks and can be super deadly in swarms, Banshees, screaming face blobs that explode on impact, Shocktroopers, resurrected humans blasting plasma waves, yet prone to quick decapitations, and the terrifying Vassago, super demons that lob crispy fire attacks.
The two new weapons actually replace two older ones; the Incinerator, replacing the plasma rifle, is a flamethrower that toasts villains – and yourself if you get too close. Replacing the BFG is the Calamity Blade, another fiery weapon that shoots energy waves and can be charged for wider shots. Watching a timed shot cut through hordes of demons is immensely satisfying.
Another highlight is the soundtrack, which features a complete remix to modern IDKFA versions by legendary DOOM music enthusiast Andrew Hulshult (Dusk, DOOM: Eternal), updating both the original Bobby Prince tracks while adding tons of new music for the new “Legacy of Rust” campaign as well. Purists, fear not, as you can swap between the modern updates and original midi versions on the fly. There’s even bonus FM synth and DMX “remixes” to punch up Prince’s OG midi tracks (just like the old Sound Blaster days!).
Another treat is the id Vault, a mini-encyclopedia of artwork, trivia, and other DOOM-related goodies showcasing the franchise’s various monsters, weapons, items, menus, logos, textures, and more.
But the available content goes way beyond just sanctioned campaigns, maps, and wads. One of the biggest and best additions to the collection, especially for console gamers, is the ability to download and play mods created by other fans and enthusiasts, and likewise create and upload your own masterpieces (or utter disasters). Sadly, only Featured Mods are available for Switch users thanks to Nintendo’s restrictive policies around user-generated content, so you’ll want to opt for another platform if you really want to take advantage of how truly bonkers some of these mods can get.
Honestly, it’s my least-favorite part, mostly due to the clunky navigator that’s both slow and lacking searching features, making it difficult to find exactly what you’re looking for. Another big caveat is that mods must be BOOM-compatible, meaning popular releases like MyHouse.wad aren’t available, or anything developed in the GZDoom source port. While this is disappointing, it’s not surprising, and made me think about how this package might be looked on by DOOM enthusiasts.
The DOOM modding community is legendary, and legendarily picky. I can’t think of another franchise with as passionate or as protective members, and sometimes this can lead to a bit of elitism about how “good” a remastered package like this is. While this isn’t the right venue for a proper discussion on the intricacies of just how evolved DOOM modding has become, I will say that even with the dearth of content available here, it won’t be enough for some. The additions and enhancements won’t be enough, nor will the modding options. Nothing will ever be enough for some people.
The hardest of hardcore DOOM enthusiasts are entirely different beasts and that’s fine, but they were never the intended demographic for this release anyway. The vast majority of most casual players (if you can even call a 30+ year DOOM vet “casual”) should find this DOOM 1+2 update a real treat and perfectly acceptable.
To be honest, something like DOOM + DOOM II is really a review-proof package, one whose 30-plus years of legacy speak for itself and doesn’t need selling. And what’s to sell? If you already own a version of these games you can download the update for free (or about $10 if you don’t). The new campaign is incredibly fun (and incredibly frustrating), and full crossplatform support between all versions may be the ultimate gift to hardcore Doomguys who never thought they’d see the day. DOOM will never end, it’s Eternal, and most definitely forever.