Doom

What can really be said? DOOM is a beautiful return to form by Id and a magnificent show of tradition whilst accepting modern sensibilities. Sure, the two non-campaign modes are lacking, but this is DOOM. To give much weight to either snapmap or multiplayer would be like criticizing a steakhouse with subpar salad and dinner rolls despite the sheer quality of their world-famous Filet Mignon.

What a difference 12 years makes. In the sizable gap between Doom games, the first-person shooter genre has evolved in myriad ways. Far Cry embraced the freedom of open worlds. Call of Duty set a new high bar for set-piece-driven linear campaigns and deep multiplayer progression. Games like BioShock doubled down on storytelling, while others like Team Fortress 2 abandoned single-player altogether in favor of dedicated competitive experiences. The further these offerings push boundaries, the less modern shooters resemble the game that put the genre on the map. This diaspora ultimately works in ...

Bethesda pulled off quite the trick with Doom, giving us the first real AAA third-party game experience on the Nintendo Switch. What it lacks in graphical power, it makes up for in portability, and the fact that the complete, unadulterated campaign and multiplayer modes made it over intact is an achievement other studios should take note of.

Despite Bethesda’s successful attempt at revitalizing the Wolfenstein series in 2014, I wasn’t sure if the publisher could strike gold twice. After all, DOOM isn’t going to have you drop acid with Jimi Hendrix, and the last time id Software had released a hit was 2004. I’ve never been happier to be wrong, as DOOM is a brilliant reboot that captures what made the series so fun while also modernizing it.

There's no question that – despite uncertainty amongst the most diehard of fans – DOOM's reboot has managed to piece together an enjoyable experience. Its combat is as relentless and fast-paced as fans have come to expect, and this helps it stand out amongst a number of other shooting titles. Combat may become a little tedious after long stretches of play, the load times are a little lengthy, multiplayer is a smudge unbalanced, and SnapMap is a so-so addition, but the adrenaline-fueled gameplay and the ample replayability featured within the campaign makes this a standout entry in the FPS genr...

SIGIL II is a love letter to those who cherish the classic Doom titles. Not only it's made by John Romero, but it is simply content that feel like it can belong as an official episode. SIGIL II is also going to test your survival skills because it is certainly not a walk in the park, and it makes the original SIGIL look pale in comparison.

Whilst the multiplayer is enjoyable enough, I do question its longevity due to the approach that Bethesda are taking with releasing a number of paid map packs over the coming months. I definitely think that there is some enjoyment to be had in the coming weeks, but I don’t know that its worth splashing out on the map packs, and I do question how long the game will remain populated in a very over saturated genre.