10 Years Ago, DOOM Showed How to Perfectly Reboot a Franchise

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Okay, so everyone knows Doomguy kicked some serious demon butt in Hell, but he kinda disappeared for a while after DOOM 3 came out in 2004. That game was pretty controversial, and honestly, it felt like the series was just… over. Like it had its moment and was going to stay stuck in that era forever. Then, DOOM (the 2016 reboot) dropped, and it totally changed everything. It wasn’t just a great FPS, it proved that even older franchises can make a huge comeback after all these years. Seriously, it was awesome!

The enduring popularity of DOOM stems from its unique blend of classic and modern gameplay. The original DOOM, DOOM 2, and DOOM 64 emphasized fast-paced action and strategic thinking, requiring players to quickly prioritize enemies, choose the right weapons, and skillfully avoid attacks. This engaging combination of elements kept players hooked and continues to be a key factor in the series’ lasting appeal.

DOOM (2016) Translated Old DOOM Incredibly Well

The latest DOOM captured that intense feeling perfectly. Winning battles depended on skillful dodging and making smart decisions about targeting and weaponry. While visually more polished, the underlying thrill of outmaneuvering enemies – like sliding past a fireball – felt just as primal and satisfying as in previous games.

The 2016 DOOM didn’t just recreate the fast-paced action of its predecessors; it expanded upon it. Players had more ways to move around levels, and a wider range of attacks to use. The innovative Glory Kill system, considered one of the best gameplay mechanics in recent years, further encouraged aggressive play by rewarding players with health for close-quarters combat. This brilliantly reinforced what DOOM had always done well. The 2016 game clearly understood the core strengths of the original DOOM titles and built upon them, successfully capturing the magic while adding its own unique elements.

Getting the gunplay right was the top priority, but we applied that same level of attention to detail across the board. While the new demon designs were familiar, they each had a unique style. We hid secrets throughout each level to encourage exploration, and these secrets offered rewards that were more meaningful than just temporary power-ups. Just as heavy metal was key to the original DOOM‘s atmosphere, composer Mick Gordon delivered in the 2016 version with intense, guitar-driven tracks. He also blended in electronic music, creating a sound that perfectly captured the game’s blend of demonic horror and futuristic setting.

The story successfully updated the classic DOOM formula, offering a surprisingly detailed narrative without getting in the way of the action. While the protagonist shares the player’s desire to simply fight demons, the story goes further than necessary, providing rich backstory and concise dialogue. It cleverly satirizes corporate greed, mirroring current trends in gaming that demand a cohesive plot while still acknowledging the original games’ emphasis on pure, fast-paced gameplay – a deliberate choice by the developers.

DOOM (2016) Took Time to Find

Considering how troubled the development of DOOM 4 was, the success of the 2016 DOOM reboot is even more remarkable. The original DOOM 4 faced numerous problems and, according to the developers, began to lose the core elements that defined the DOOM series. In a Noclip documentary about the 2016 game, id Software artist Kevin Cloud explained that the canceled DOOM 4 simply didn’t feel like DOOM at a certain point in its development.

Footage from the game shows this shift in direction. Even though it was still under development, the combat looked more like games such as Rage or Call of Duty, drawing heavily from shooters of that time period – a departure from the classic DOOM games it was meant to follow. Game director Marty Stratton confirmed this, even jokingly calling it “Call of DOOM” because of its emphasis on story, numerous pre-planned events, inclusion of enemies that weren’t demons, and use of cover mechanics. Despite the early ideas for the Glory Kill system originating in this version, it ultimately didn’t feel enough like a true DOOM experience.

Why DOOM (2016) Is Important

It’s impressive when a game series endures, understands its core appeal, builds on that foundation, and still manages to be innovative. Too many older franchises are now gathering dust, only appearing as ports, remakes, or brief appearances in games like Fortnite or Astro Bot. This hesitancy to create new installments has affected series like Dead Rising, Splinter Cell, Metal Gear, and Ape Escape, which haven’t seen proper new games in a long time. This fear is understandable – many franchises, including Dead Rising, Ninja Gaiden, and Thief, suffered when sequels strayed from what made them special. While franchises need breathing room to experiment, long breaks and spin-offs should be well-thought-out, not driven by profit or poor decisions, which unfortunately happens often.

The 2016 reboot of DOOM remains incredibly fun – the fast-paced combat is brilliantly designed. However, its most important achievement is how it successfully modernized a classic formula and set the stage for future games in the series. As Martin pointed out with Star Wars, many recent entries lack a clear understanding of what makes the franchise special, leading to underwhelming results. This happens too often in gaming. If publishers are going to rely heavily on older titles, they should carefully study DOOM (2016) as a prime example of how to revitalize a classic, rather than just giving it a visual upgrade.

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2026-05-14 20:13