Doom 64

This is the best of the classic style Doom games, fight me.

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DOOM 64 is a horror shooter game, originally released for Nintendo 64, now available on PC. Players fight against demons in a single-player campaign across 30 action-packed levels. The game features enhanced weapons, secrets to discover, and an atmospheric journey to hunt down the Mother of Demons and stop Hell's invasion. With amazing story, compelling gameplay, awesome graphics, and good music, DOOM 64 offers a dense and immersive experience for fans of the series.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,244 reviews

music256 positive mentions

optimization20 negative mentions

music
1,328 mentions
19 % positive mentions
74 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The music in Doom 64, composed by Aubrey Hodges, significantly departs from the heavy metal soundtracks of the earlier Doom games, opting instead for a dark, ambient, and eerie atmosphere that enhances the horror elements of the game. While some players appreciate the unsettling soundscapes and find them effective in creating tension, many miss the energetic and iconic rock tracks that characterized the original titles, leading to mixed feelings about the soundtrack's suitability for the gameplay. Overall, the ambient music is seen as a unique but polarizing choice that contributes to the game's distinct horror vibe, though it may not resonate with all fans of the series.
- “The dark atmosphere and the ambient soundtrack in combination with the sound effects really sell you on the feeling of being alone and distraught.”
- “The atmosphere is dripping with creepy vibes, helped greatly by the seriously dark and spooky soundtrack provided by Aubrey Hodges who also did the soundtrack for the PlayStation port of Doom.”
- “The soundtrack is bizarre and haunting, punctuated by distorted screams and babies crying over MIDI bass loops that can only be described as threatening.”
- “The game lacks memorable music, enemy encounters, has too much ammo, and features boring maps.”
- “The only negatives I have is that the music is boring.”
- “The soundtrack is nothing like the other doom games (except doom 3).”
atmosphere
936 mentions
52 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Doom 64 is widely praised for its dark, moody, and immersive qualities, which significantly diverge from the more action-oriented tone of its predecessors. Reviewers highlight the game's effective use of ambient soundtracks, eerie lighting, and gothic visuals that create a sense of horror and tension, making it feel more like a horror game than a traditional shooter. While some players miss the heavy metal soundtracks of earlier titles, many appreciate the unique atmospheric experience that Doom 64 offers, solidifying its place as a standout entry in the series.
- “The redesigns of the monsters and arsenal work exceptionally well in the dark, moody hallways of this game, which are lit with colorful ambiance and neon lights that resonate an atmosphere that is unique, thrilling, creepy yet incredibly cozy and just overall a highlight of this game - along with its chilling soundtrack that is just as great as Quake's OST in terms of both approach and execution.”
- “The atmosphere is superb, with such an intriguing and dark color palette and a complete tonal change soundtrack-wise from what we're used to seeing in Doom 1 and 2.”
- “Doom 64 is an FPS originally developed by Midway Games that is incredibly dark and atmospheric thanks to the sprite work and ambient soundtrack composed by Aubrey Hodges, which really helps deliver the experience.”
- “The atmosphere took a turn towards a darker and more ambient aesthetic.”
- “The dark atmosphere and the ambient soundtrack in combination with the sound effects really sell you on the feeling of being alone and distraught.”
- “The atmosphere is a lot darker and creepier than typical doom fare, and this is reflected in gameplay with an emphasis on puzzle-based levels, and how much damage enemies can dish out, forcing the player to take corners slowly, and even listen for specific demon noises.”
graphics
872 mentions
29 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of Doom 64 have received mixed reviews, with many praising the updated visuals and atmospheric enhancements that create a darker, more immersive experience compared to its predecessors. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and improved sprite work, others criticize the graphics as dated or lacking in detail, particularly when viewed on modern displays. Overall, the game is noted for its unique art style and effective use of lighting, contributing to a distinct horror aesthetic that sets it apart from earlier Doom titles.
- “From the moment I launched the game, I was greeted with nostalgia-inducing visuals that seamlessly blended the classic atmosphere of the original with modern graphical enhancements.”
- “The graphics are a gigantic upgrade, looking far better than ever before in the classic Doom series.”
- “With its gorgeous visuals, exhilarating gameplay, and expertly designed levels, it's a must-play for fans of the series old and new alike.”
- “The graphics are terrible, but not as bad as I expected on a large screen.”
- “Worse visuals and level design than Doom 1 & 2 - not worth it.”
- “The graphics style could have looked fine on a CRT screen due to how those handle pre-rendered graphics, but on a modern monitor they are just blurry jpegs of very basic models that stand out over the unfiltered pixely textures of the levels.”
gameplay
750 mentions
29 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Doom 64 retains the classic fast-paced run-and-gun mechanics familiar to fans of the series, while introducing a darker atmosphere and more puzzle elements that some players find engaging, though others may see them as tedious. While the core experience is largely unchanged from previous entries, the game features new weapons and enhanced graphics, making it a nostalgic yet fresh experience for both new and returning players. However, some players note that the gameplay can feel slower and less dynamic compared to earlier titles, with occasional frustrating design choices that may hinder enjoyment.
- “The gameplay flows along the levels which are memorable and engaging (especially the secret levels and what they have to offer to the player), the combat encounters are thoughtful and work well within the areas they are confined in, and the difficulty and tension escalates steadily and in a manner that pushes the player forward, rather than stuns them in any capacity.”
- “With its gorgeous visuals, exhilarating gameplay, and expertly designed levels, it's a must-play for fans of the series old and new alike.”
- “The gameplay is everything that made doom so much fun, it's the satisfying fast-paced run and gun dance to slaughter hordes of demons.”
- “I guess it's all right, as a FPS from 1997, but I found the mazes too difficult and the gameplay too punishing.”
- “It's fun, but personally after playing the last two games where the gameplay is exactly the same and still so confusing where to go and what to do, it does get boring and frustrating circling the same places over and over without knowing where to go.”
- “Overall the gameplay felt more like a chore and I finished it just for the sake of completing the franchise.”
story
318 mentions
13 % positive mentions
83 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of Doom 64 serves as a direct sequel to Doom II, focusing on the resurrection of demons by the "mother of all demons" and the protagonist's struggle against them. While some players appreciate the simplistic narrative and its connection to the broader Doom lore, many agree that the story is secondary to the gameplay, often described as minimal or forgettable. The inclusion of "lost levels" in the re-release attempts to bridge the game to Doom 2016, adding some depth but still leaving the overall plot feeling less significant compared to the action-oriented gameplay.
- “Doom 64 is a sequel to the events after Doom 2, where the mother of all demons has started to resurrect the hellspawn you have killed, so it is connected to the original Doom storyline.”
- “The story seems more developed than in the previous Doom games, since the ending makes you feel proud of finishing the game by killing the mother of all demons.”
- “With one last addition in the form of the lost levels, the story is now completely connected with 2016 and Eternal, and it only makes it feel all the more epic for doing so.”
- “No story or tutorials to waste your time.”
- “Only downside is no story, not even a limited attempt.”
- “Let’s be honest, the plot is almost entirely unimportant.”
optimization
60 mentions
27 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing stuttering and performance issues, particularly on certain systems and after updates. While many appreciate the modern controller support and overall smooth performance, others prefer alternative versions like Doom64EX for better optimization. Overall, the port shows potential but requires further refinement to address the reported performance inconsistencies.
- “The game also includes new controls that are optimized for modern controllers, which makes the game even more intuitive and easy to play.”
- “This port's optimization is absolutely fantastic.”
- “The performance seems rock-solid for me, and seems to be pretty well-optimized.”
- “This game also has a stuttering issue for whatever reason.”
- “It's not enough to be game breaking, but the game is still playing while you're stuttering, so if you're in a fight while it's happening it could result in you dying.”
- “At launch, performance is terrible on my Windows 10 install, some bug that will hopefully be ironed out.”
replayability
44 mentions
23 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is viewed positively, with many players noting its infinite replay potential due to secrets, hidden maps, and multiple difficulty levels. However, some reviewers mention that the puzzle-solving aspect can hinder replayability, as players may forget solutions. While the game offers substantial replay value, particularly for those interested in challenges or mods, the absence of additional modes like multiplayer is seen as a missed opportunity to enhance it further.
- “Its actually a great deal, all 4 games are fantastic, and all of them have incredible replay value.”
- “The preponderance of replayability in Doom 64 is in digging secrets, playing hidden maps, and finding easter eggs.”
- “The game took me roughly 5 hours to complete, but this is definitely one of those games that has enough replay value for another 20+ hours for mods and learning how to speedrun it, so you're getting a lot of value out of it.”
- “Having an achievement for beating a level in a par time, or pistol starting certain levels would have added some extra length, challenge, and replay value.”
- “I honestly think the puzzle solving is what makes the game fun and engaging, but it does make replayability pretty lacking, since you might not remember all the solutions and get stuck easily.”
- “Including a multiplayer mode or any other new mode could've remarkably pumped up the replay value, especially since this is a repackage.”
stability
40 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many users reporting smooth performance on various platforms, including the Steam Deck and modern hardware. However, some players have encountered occasional visual glitches and technical issues, such as crashes when alt-tabbing, which detracts from the experience for a few. Despite these minor setbacks, the game is largely considered well-ported and bug-free, especially compared to its original version.
- “Another revamping of an old Doom engine game by Nightdive Studios that remains faithful and bug-free.”
- “Looks and runs great, rendering with Vulkan.”
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck, I never got this for the 64, so being able to play it through now was dope.”
- “Serious visual glitches aside, this is a very old game with poor controls and gameplay.”
- “This is one where, even though it's a really good game and I really like it, I have to go thumbs down because of significant technical issues/glitches with the game that result in less than an expected/hoped for gaming experience.”
- “A bit buggy though, had a few crashes when alt-tabbing out.”
grinding
36 mentions
8 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
61 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being excessively tedious, with many players noting the need for extensive backtracking, repetitive puzzles, and a lack of engaging combat. While some appreciate the atmospheric design and overall fun, the consensus is that the gameplay can feel like a long, drawn-out grind, detracting from the overall experience. Players recommend approaching the game with caution, suggesting it may be best to wait for a sale due to its grind-heavy nature.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “It is rather tedious, with few monsters and a lot of doors, walking around and pushing buttons.”
- “Unfortunately, they are offset by really tedious levels that suck the joy out of the game.”
- “Tedious shooter with a lot of backtracking between switches, simplistic level design, hideous monster design and non-existent soundtrack (compared to, say, System Shock 2 or Thief).”
humor
36 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of nostalgic references and playful absurdity, with players finding amusement in the juxtaposition of horror elements and comedic gameplay mechanics. Many reviews highlight the funny sound effects and quirky level designs, while also noting the irony of a horror-focused game being associated with Nintendo. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the otherwise intense gameplay experience.
- “Good happy funny doom haha”
- “+ funny gameplay and a lot of guns to use; also the music and level design are fantastic for a game made in 1997.”
- “I was terrified at a young age seeing how monstrous that cyberdemon was; now I was laughing as I ended one after the other.”
monetization
18 mentions
11 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism for feeling like a cash grab, particularly due to Bethesda's push for advertising and the presence of unnecessary features that detract from the experience. Despite these concerns, some players still advocate for the game's quality, hoping that positive reception will encourage the developers to adopt a more player-friendly approach in the future, free from microtransactions and excessive marketing.
- “This game is totally worth it, especially because it offers no microtransactions and no account required, allowing for pure fun.”
- “If we can show Bethesda that we want more games like this, without the burden of microtransactions, it might encourage them to change their approach.”
- “Might change my review if they ever address the issues, but as it is, it just feels like a cash grab by Bethesda.”
- “The tickbox for getting spammed with Bethesda news is another sour point - why would I recommend buying a game that wants to push advertising?”
- “This is a rushed cash grab of a port.”
emotional
18 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional responses to the game are mixed, with some players feeling a sense of excitement and nostalgia, particularly enjoying the art style and classic violence. However, others express disappointment with the port's execution, feeling it detracted from the overall experience, and some mention moments of fear and discomfort that were impactful. Overall, while the game evokes strong feelings of nostalgia and intensity, the quality of the port has left some players disheartened.
- “The heartbreaking part about the port is that the game itself is amazing, but the Bethesda/Nightdive release is not the way to experience it.”
- “But even as a kid playing for the first time, there were only two parts that ever made me feel uneasy.”
- “Personally, I loved all of the monster changes; it's been a long time since Doom monsters have made me feel afraid and uncomfortable to fight them up close!”
character development
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
While the character designs and art style are praised for their brilliance and unique color palette, there are no specific comments on character development itself, suggesting that this aspect may not be a focal point in the game.
- “The art style and character designs are brilliant, and the color palette gives the game a feel of its own.”