Weston Sanders

I'll cut right to the chase, If you played Doom 2016 and are hoping for more of the same you are probably going to be disappointed. The game looks, plays, and feels not completely but significantly different from it's predecessor and was clearly built from the ground up with a new vision instead of continuing where that game left off. This is both to the game's advantage and detriment as while the new style is unique and definitely fun it has lost some of the flair that made Doom 2016 such a standout, especially in the storytelling department. The game goes for a more arcade like feel both in visuals and game play (clearly inspired by the original Doom 2) and while that does fit with the franchise it is a jarring change from the visceral and grounded presentation in Doom 2016 and I must admit to feeling a bit disappointed at the lack of immersion some of the changes create... especially given how well the first of the new Dooms tied together modern and traditional fps mechanics and utilized environmental and non-diegetic storytelling to make the game world feel cohesive and real despite having health packs and power ups scattered about the place. With that being said it is by no means a bad game and is the most fun I've had in quite awhile with an fps. The combat is visceral and exciting and feels suitably brutal and the platforming and exploration are fun and engaging. My only real complaint is that the game's HUD is quite difficult to make heads or tales of at times, with every weapon and ability having it's own icon and cool-down/charging meter making it feel cluttered and busy, especially in battle when you can't remember which bar is for what and wind up pitifully kicking a Hell Knight in the shins because what you thought was your charged special attack meter was actually the cool-down on your flamethrower.