Doom Games Ranked – What Is the Best Doom Game?

Plug in your electric guitars and start shredding; we’re making a list of the DOOM games ranked. 

Trying to decide the best DOOM game is like deciding who your favorite child is. You love every one of them, imperfections and all. 

Deep down, though, you know which one your favorite is. Don’t worry; your secret is safe with me. 

Since its debut in 1993, DOOM has helped define the FPS genre. There have been some stumbles along the way, but since Bethesda acquired id Software, the franchise is in good hands. 

We’re using a combination of personal opinion, critical acclaim, and fan response to curate this ranked list. You may agree; you’ll probably disagree. Make sure you keep the conversation going in the comments below.

Let’s begin!

DOOM Resurrection isn’t even the best mobile DOOM game

(Metascore: 79)

There are good mobile DOOM games we will discuss later on our list of ranked DOOM games.

DOOM Ressurection is not one of those games. 

The on-rails shooter may look like a DOOM game, but that’s all it has in common. This is the type of game when you want to scratch that itch and don’t mind not getting the genuine experience. 

Honestly, your time is better spent elsewhere. 

DOOM VFR is a solid virtual reality game but still is at the bottom of our list of DOOM games ranked

(Metascore: 69)

Next up in our quest to find the best DOOM game is DOOM VFR.

On a technical level, this virtual reality DOOM experience works. It offers the same DOOM we all know and love in a successful VR presentation. That said, it can’t match the same success as the traditional game released a year prior. 

2017’s DOOM VFR feels like a relic of the past after the release of DOOM 2016. A nice experience for those hungry for VR. If you want something with more substance, you’re best to look elsewhere.

Final DOOM is more DOOM, and that’s never a bad thing

(Metascore: n/a)

If DOOM II is more DOOM, then Final DOOM is more DOOM II. 

In terms of content, there’s a distinct lack of new weapons or enemies. Final DOOM offers more levels available, and that’s pretty much it. 

Developed by a small team of modders and published by id Software, Final DOOM is a brutal and challenging experience. What it lacks in terms of innovation, it makes up for in refinement. 

Final DOOM may be the toughest to place out of all the DOOM games ranked. It has no inherent issues or flaws but doesn’t necessarily need to exist. The franchise isn’t better or worse off for it. 

DOOM 64 may have the biggest cult following of all games on our list of DOOM games ranked

(Metascore: 76)

It may not be one of the best Nintendo 64 games, but DOOM 64 is still a great game. 

One key critique against DOOM 64 is its similarities to the original game. On the one hand, I understand that. On the other hand, is playing a souped-up DOOM such a bad thing? I’d argue not. 

This isn’t a straight port of the original 1993 PC release. DOOM 64 is inspired by the original games but isn’t afraid to put its own spin on things. Developed by Midway (not id Software!), we’re given more depth to the experience. 

The game isn’t afraid to push back on seasoned veterans, offering a challenging experience. In a way, its story has a meta feel to it. The DOOM guy realizes he’s destined forever to fight the forces of hell. It parallels how we, as gamers, are destined forever not just to play the original DOOM but also to find ways to run it on virtually every technical device known to man. 

DOOM RPG and DOOM II RPG are the best mobile DOOM game experiences

(Metascore: 80)

Before mobile phones could run fully fledged games, shortcuts had to be made.

DOOM RPG and DOOM II RPG are two examples of those shortcuts. Like Wolfenstein RPG, this is a bonafide FPS experience transformed into the turn-based RPG genre.

The transition from fast-paced FPS to turn-based dungeon crawler is seamless and enjoyable. There’s a lot of passion felt in the game that translates to a memorable experience. 

What may be the best redeeming quality of these games is that the passage of time hasn’t obliterated them. While they haven’t aged like fine wine, they’re still worth checking out. 

DOOM 3: Resurrection of Evil is a solid improvement over DOOM 3

(Metascore: 78)

Resurrection of Evil deserves a spot on our list of DOOM games ranked solely for one reason. 

The Xbox version adds a flashlight attachment for your weapon. 

id Software uses the DOOM 3 expansion to address a key criticism of the base game: it was too dark at times. Other gameplay additions, such as the double-barreled shotgun, are very welcome.

Resurrection of Evil has the DNA of DOOM 3 with some tweaks to make it better resemble the original titles. It’s a welcome addition but doesn’t do enough to stop the franchise from seeing yet another reboot a decade later.  

DOOM 3 gave the franchise a new direction

(Metascore: 87)

Next on our list of DOOM games ranked is the black sheep of the franchise. 

Released in 2004, DOOM 3 is a technological marvel. At the time, few games could match the power of id Tech 4. Sadly, the gameplay couldn’t always keep up.

The design choice to add atmospheric horror and tension with DOOM 3 didn’t always pay off. The days of running and gunning were gone. DOOM 3 plays out with a more methodical pace, though the run and gun were still present at times. 

Overall, DOOM 3 represents a big gamble on the part of id Software. Sometimes it works well, but other times it can’t live up to its expectations. Between uneven gameplay and unchallenging AI, DOOM 3 is a solid game but not the best DOOM game. 

DOOM transformed the FPS genre, as well as all gaming

(Metascore: n/a)

Is the original the best DOOM game? For some, the answer is 100% yes. 

DOOM isn’t the father of the FPS genre (cheers to you, Wolfenstein). Having said that, this is the game that put first-person shooters on the map. 

Released in 1993, id Software’s DOOM took the concept of Wolfenstein 3D and turned it up to 11. The exploration and adventure from Wolfenstein are abandoned in favor of fast-paced gameplay and intense shootouts. 

Enemies are fast and furious, and they all want you dead. Thankfully, there is plenty of firepower at your disposal. Each weapon is iconic and capable of eliminating hell’s forces. 

The best part of the DOOM experience? It might just be the soundtrack. Its subtle yet heavy metal tempo constantly cheers you on as you continue to rip and tear your way through the forces of hell. 

DOOM II: Hell on Earth expands and innovates on the original game

(Metascore: n/a)

After the success of the original DOOM, a sequel was all but assured.

1994’s DOOM II: Hell on Earth offers more DOOM, which is good! However, the lack of innovation and advancement isn’t such a good thing. 

There isn’t anything inherently bad about DOOM II. It just suffers from being a little too much of the same. 

The narrative decision to portray a story where the forces of hell have attacked Earth is neat. Sadly, we don’t play DOOM for the plot. 

id Software would eventually show they can push the envelope with a sequel, as with Quake II. Sadly, that doesn’t help out DOOM II too much. 

The super shotgun does exist in this game, though. That alone may make it the best DOOM game. Or at least one of the best. 

DOOM Eternal is the most recent entry on our list of DOOM games ranked and one of the best

(Metascore: 87)

For some, the most recent DOOM game is also the best DOOM game. 

DOOM Eternal manages to refine the DOOM experience while improving the game’s pacing. Considering how well-paced the 2016 game is, that’s incredibly impressive. 

Eternal isn’t afraid to let players relax and breathe now and then, making those over-the-top action sequences even better.  

Plus, it has a grappling hook. Every game is better with a grappling hook. 

I never thought that an extra level of verticality was missing from DOOM, but now I know better. If anyone wants to make a mod that incorporates the grappling hook into DOOM 2016, please make it happen. 

DOOM 2016, for our money, is the best DOOM game

We end our list of DOOM games ranked with not just the best DOOM game but one of the most recent ones. 

To call 2016’s DOOM reboot a long time coming is a massive understatement. The wait was entirely worth it.

From the start, there’s only one thing this game wants you to do: rip and tear. It gives the middle finger (literally) to attempts at pointless expositional dialogue or common storytelling tropes. As I said before, we don’t play DOOM for the story. We play DOOM to kick some butt. 

Publisher Bethesda has overseen a beautiful renaissance in the FPS genre. The throwback to old-school mechanics and design versus the modern trends has worked wonders. There is no better example of this than 2016’s DOOM. 

You don’t walk down hallways and hide behind cover. You run face first into the demonic forces of hell and obliterate them. 

I’m sorry, that’s putting it lightly. You f@$&ng annihilate them. 

I could talk all day about how much I love this game. 

Wrapping Up

That will do it for our list of DOOM games ranked from worst to best! For my money, DOOM 2016 is the best DOOM game. Honestly, though, there isn’t a bad game on this list. Id Software has created banger after banger in the franchise.

While not every release sets the world on fire, there is almost always something enjoyable to be found in these games.  

What is your favorite DOOM game? What did we get right or wrong on our list? Let us know and keep the conversation going in the comments below!