When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.

The 1993 Doom is still a titan an indomitable fiery force.

It changed the gaming landscape forever, and even your gran has heard about it.

A barrage of enemy bullets flies towards the Doom Slayer in Doom: The Dark Ages, mostly consisting of red orbs except for one column of green which indicates it can be parried with the shield saw - with a frame for the GamesRadar+ Big Preview

Chances are, she’s pretty good at it too.

It’s enduring for a reason.

But what is that makes Doom, well, Doom?

The Doom Slayer aims a super shotgun at a demonic enemy with an inverted cross helmet in Doom: The Dark Ages

It’s a legacy that’s also on the mind of developer id Software.

“We still feel like we have to live up to that legendary game.

We think of it as like a classical piece of art.

A Doom: The Dark Ages Big Preview frame shows key art of the Doom Slayer tearing a horde of demons apart using the shield saw, super shotgun in his off-hand

And id Software need to make Leonardo da BFG when it comes to filling its next canvas.

Everybody could pick up Doom and enjoy it.

Killing demons in 1993’s Doom it’s as fun today as it was back then.”

The Doom Slayer’s shield saw glows green as it parries a green whip attack from a cyberdemon in Doom: The Dark Ages

Firing on all cylinders

There’s more to discover in ourDoom: The Dark Ages Big Previewhub!

Revisiting the Doom legacy is crucial.

“We play it at the start of every project,” says Martin of the first Doom.

A demon holding a sword charging at the Doom Slayer during the Doom: The Dark Ages trailer.

[It was] just a reminder of how grounded the combat was after Eternal."

“There was nothing else like it.

So we start every project with how we’re going to innovate this time.”

A hellspawn soldier runs at the Doom Slayer in Doom: The Dark Ages, with a glowing red hell sigil on the ground behind it

WithDoom Eternal, movement was encouraged through the enemy movement more than it was their incoming fire.

How would revisiting that concept work within the context of the modernized Doom series?

“It was like an aha moment,” says Martin.

An enemy approaches the Doom Slayer in Doom: The Dark Ages as their gun is raised, while in the background a gigantic titan demon fights a mech

Immediately it was like: there you go, that’s the start of this new combat loop."

While going hands-on, I immediately notice the change especially when it comes to the shmup comparisons.

Doom, too

“What was so fun about Doom 2 is how it opened up.”

Doom: The Dark Ages

“Well Doom 2, right?”

“What was so fun about Doom 2 is how it opened up.

“Strafing to aim is alive and well in Dark Ages, as you saw,” explains Marin.

The Doom Slayer standing in front of fire in the FPS game, Doom: The Dark Ages.

Want to start blasting?

Check out ourbest FPS gameslist for more recommendations!

The Doom Slayer riding a demon dragon during the Doom: The Dark Ages trailer.

a gun that fires a metal ball attached to a chain for recall

Call of Duty Blaze of Glory event

Overwatch 2 heroes battling

Call of Duty High Art event

A screenshot shows the Siren Vex standing in Borderlands 4

One of the new Vault Hunters in Borderlands 4

Ritual Remnants appear in various rooms in The Horror at Highrook

Oblivion Remastered at night

Lego Mario Kart, Endgame Final Battle, Jango Fett�s Firespray-Class Ship, and Chopper divided by white lines, with a �GamesRadar+ new Lego� badge in the middle

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle screenshot of Indiana dressed as priest, looking over a book

Days Gone Remastered protagonist Deacon running from hundreds of zombies in the rain

PS5 Pro reveal from trailer

Articulate box, cards, board, and tokens on a wooden table

The cast of Thunderbolts standing in an elevator during the trailer for the upcoming Marvel Phase 5 movie.

Logan Kim as Hershel and Lauren Cohan as Maggie in The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2