Summary

  • Doom 2016 is highly regarded among fans.
  • Some fans have said that the game has the best art style in the series.
  • Fans praise the eerie and gory visuals of the 2016 game.

Some Doom fans consider the 2016 reboot to have the best visual style in the series. Originally planned as a sequel to the franchise's third installment, the 2016 Doom project faced significant development challenges before being shifted to a full reboot. This bold decision by developer id Software proved successful, as the 2016 game is now one of the most highly regarded entries in the series.

Developer id Software is currently celebrating the success of its latest release. Doom: The Dark Ages recently surpassed three million players, marking the biggest launch in the studio's history. Meanwhile, some Doom fans have taken to social media to reminisce about nostalgic elements of id Software's older titles, particularly the acclaimed 2016 reboot.

doom-the-dark-ages-difficulty-update-makes-game-harder
Doom: The Dark Ages Just Got Harder

Doom: The Dark Ages receives a difficulty increase across the board in response to player data collected since the game's launch.

1
By 

Reddit user Whole_Turnip_6065 shared a post on the game's subreddit, claiming that the 2016 installment has the best art style in the series. Since then, hundreds of fans have joined the discussion, with most agreeing. In their post, Whole_Turnip_6065 suggested that the rebooted Doom's eerie and gory visuals perfectly reflect the franchise's identity. They also acknowledged that more recent entries, Eternal and The Dark Ages, are good games. However, they argued, these titles take a design approach that doesn't fully align with the core elements of Doom, one of id Software's classic FPSs.

Fans Think the 2016 Game Was More 'Doom-esque'

Inevitably, many fans have compared the 2016 installment's art style with id Software's 2025 release. Doom: The Dark Ages was promoted as a faithful prequel, which led to many expecting a return to its roots. However, its attempt to expand the game’s universe by modernizing gameplay has caused some deviations. For instance, the new game makes heavy use of color cues, which may not sit well with fans of classic Doom. Some have also suggested that The Dark Ages feels caught between Eternal's comical tone and Doom's focus on intense, action-driven gameplay.

Of course, these recent discussions don't suggest that id Software made a misstep. Doom: The Dark Ages successfully introduces new gameplay elements that have been well-received. The thing is that many of these additions, such as the emphasis on dodge and parry, require visual changes. Several fans have acknowledged that without the color-cue-driven design, the 2025 Doom could have been nearly unplayable. Still, many die-hard fans hope id Software can strike a better balance in future installments, with a game that doesn't look uninspired but still stays true to the series' roots. It also seems that, at least in terms of visual identity, the 2016 installment has come closest to being the perfect modern Doom game in the eyes of fans.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
DOOM 2016 Tag Page Cover Art
8 /10

DOOM
Display card tags widget
FPS
Display card system widget
Systems
super greyscale 8-bit logo PC-1 PlayStation-1 Xbox-1
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget
Top Critic Avg: 86 /100 Critics Rec: 92%
Display card main info widget
Released
May 13, 2016
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
Developer(s)
id Software
Publisher(s)
Bethesda Softworks
Engine
id tech 6, id tech 5
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Franchise
DOOM
Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end

WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Genre(s)
FPS