DOOM II

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,743 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
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DOOM II is a classic first-person shooter where players must save Earth from an invasion of powerful demons. The game offers enhanced and original versions, featuring new weapons like the Super Shotgun and iconic enemies like the Icon of Sin. Additionally, it includes TNT: Evilution, The Plutonia Experiment, and Master Levels for Doom II, providing countless hours of intense FPS action.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,743 reviews
gameplay92 positive mentions
grinding13 negative mentions
  • gameplay314 mentions

    The gameplay of Doom II is widely praised for its fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled action that remains engaging even decades after its release. Players appreciate the satisfying mechanics, diverse enemy encounters, and the introduction of new weapons like the super shotgun, which enhance the core experience. Additionally, the extensive modding community offers countless gameplay modifications and custom levels, ensuring that the game remains fresh and replayable for both newcomers and veterans alike.

    • “The gameplay is fast, furious, and unforgiving, demanding quick reflexes and strategic thinking.”
    • “The gameplay is fluid, the controls are responsive, and the gunplay is satisfying.”
    • “With its clever level design and pivotal gameplay mechanics, Doom 2 has been and will be 'too young to die' forever.”
    • “Not even an overworld map with the locations you are going to progress for the story, just puzzle after puzzle with obnoxious mechanics and just a pinch of secrets.”
    • “Doom II, while improving gameplay mechanics of Doom, brings a lot of frustration with its level design.”
    • “The levels seem to have been designed with visuals in mind first, and with gameplay as a secondary concern.”
  • graphics233 mentions

    The graphics of Doom II are widely regarded as dated, reflecting the game's 1994 origins, yet they maintain a nostalgic charm that resonates with long-time fans. While not comparable to modern AAA titles, the pixelated visuals and retro aesthetic contribute to the game's immersive atmosphere and overall experience. Many players recommend using mods or source ports like GZDoom to enhance graphics and controls, allowing for a more modern gameplay experience while preserving the classic feel.

    • “The gritty, gruesome visuals and eerie atmosphere add to the game's dark and foreboding tone.”
    • “The graphics look amazing (compared to the original), and there is quite a bit of support for resolutions and overall quality of life.”
    • “The graphics are dated, but the gameplay is still just as fun as it was back in the day.”
    • “Graphics from 1877 and Doomguy groans when you press space near a wall.”
    • “You can replay this classic all you want, but with these really outdated visuals, I honestly think that this game is losing its charm and relevancy as time goes by.”
    • “Now, unless nostalgia is at play, you will want to gouge your eyes out because of the awful graphics and hit or miss level design.”
  • music205 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its heavy metal soundtrack composed by Bobby Prince and Mick Gordon, which perfectly complements the intense gameplay and enhances the overall atmosphere. While some players noted that certain tracks feel repetitive or less impactful compared to the original, the majority agree that the soundtrack remains a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's nostalgic and adrenaline-pumping experience. Overall, the music is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, with many calling it iconic and a hallmark of the Doom series.

    • “Bobby Prince, folks, he's the maestro behind the unforgettable soundtrack.”
    • “The iconic heavy metal soundtrack by Bobby Prince provides the perfect backdrop for the demon-slaying carnage.”
    • “The soundtrack is a masterpiece of metal fury.”
    • “Elevator music and trash, obnoxious, labyrinthine level design ruins what made the original great.”
    • “The music is strangely enough no longer guitar shredding metal and is instead a more laid back industrial techno sounding type of genre.”
    • “Overall the soundtrack is a little out of place and not as rockin' or ambient as the original.”
  • story132 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is generally viewed as minimal and often overshadowed by its fast-paced action and gameplay mechanics. While some players appreciate the continuation of the protagonist's journey through hell and earth, many note that the narrative lacks depth and complexity, often feeling like an afterthought. Overall, the focus remains on the adrenaline-fueled combat rather than a compelling storyline, making it less suitable for those seeking a rich narrative experience.

    • “With its fast-paced action, gripping storyline, and impressive level design, it's a must-play for any fan of the genre.”
    • “Taking place right after the first game's ending, the story takes place on Earth, which has been devastated by an invasion from the forces of hell after the Doomguy kicked their ass on Mars.”
    • “The fast-paced action, new weapons and enemies, and the little bit more of a story with Earth and hell really just pull everything together into what I feel like is a timeless game.”
    • “The story itself, starting off with a mission to shuttle the last remaining survivors off-world via a great spaceship, feels too high concept for the anonymously gloomy environments, and as you progress into hell for the third act, much of it lacks the bite that hell had in the original game.”
    • “The fact that a game as simple and to the point has no definitive story, and can hold its own against modern FPS shooters is quite groundbreaking.”
    • “If you're looking for a story-based game, I wouldn't recommend this game to you.”
  • replayability39 mentions

    The replayability of Doom II is highly praised, with many users noting that the game offers near infinite replay value, especially when enhanced by a robust modding community that provides countless custom maps and gameplay modifications. While the base game itself is enjoyable, the true longevity comes from user-generated content, making it a timeless classic that remains engaging for both new and returning players. Overall, the combination of solid core gameplay and extensive mod support ensures that players can find fresh experiences long after their initial playthrough.

    • “Doom II's replayability is a testament to its timeless appeal.”
    • “The immense amount of player-made wads, ranging from new maps to full-on gameplay conversions, provides near endless replayability.”
    • “Oh, how can I forget the modding community? On top of a wonderful base game, you have endless mods and custom levels to play, increasing the replay value of what can be seen as a simple FPS game from 1994 into an art of its own.”
    • “More Doom, exactly the same as Doom but with 'worse' levels, story is almost non-existent, I get lost more easily, plenty of guns, more bad guys, not so much replayability, plenty of Doom.”
    • “Personally not an enjoyable time on its own, again, most of the replayability of classic Doom comes from user-made content, not the base game.”
    • “Certainly more playable with ports, but the game itself just never gets old.”
  • humor24 mentions

    The humor in the game is often described as quirky and absurd, with players finding amusement in the game's over-the-top elements, such as the ridiculousness of certain enemies and the nostalgic charm of classic gameplay mechanics. Many reviews highlight specific funny moments, like the interactions between characters and the absurdity of certain game features, contributing to an overall lighthearted and entertaining experience. While some humor may be seen as dated or simplistic, it adds to the game's charm and enjoyment for many players.

    • “Haha, funny demons going brrrrr.”
    • “Not only does Skeletor look so stupid that it makes him funny looking and lovable, but he is also one of the most dangerous enemies in the game.”
    • “There’s even one level where you can get a cyberdemon and a spiderdemon to fight, which is as hardcore as it is hilarious to watch.”
  • grinding24 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for its lengthy and tedious maps, which often lead to frustrating backtracking and a sense of monotony. Players frequently mention the need for excessive grinding, with some suggesting it feels like a second job, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the gameplay. While there are enjoyable enemy encounters and some fun levels, many reviewers feel that the experience becomes a slog, especially in the later stages.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Grindy (60 - 100 hours).”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Maps tend to be too long and tedious, and I was getting sick of playing by the time I had only gotten a little less than halfway through the game.”
    • “Of course, I've skipped to the last level and the bonus levels since those can be fun... but the game crosses from fun challenge to tedious slog for a good chunk for me.”
    • “The entire Doom series has too many annoying, tedious maps where you have to stroll around endless corridors searching for the blue, yellow, and red key, searching for the switch that opens the door.”
  • atmosphere20 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its dark, gritty, and immersive qualities, effectively creating a sense of dread and foreboding. Despite some dated visuals, the sound design and level architecture contribute to a uniquely vivid and chilling experience that resonates with players, making it a standout in the retro shooter genre. Overall, the game's atmosphere remains compelling and impactful, even when compared to modern titles.

    • “The gritty, gruesome visuals and eerie atmosphere add to the game's dark and foreboding tone.”
    • “With its exceptional level design, satisfying gameplay, and chilling atmosphere, it remains one of the greatest first-person shooter games ever made.”
    • “The atmosphere is very strong, making you feel like the earth has been corrupted with flesh and metallic walls, and the living eye switches that blink when you touch them or the pools of blood. You go to factories, cities, and more.”
    • “The atmosphere and dread is gone, with more gimmick levels and bland suburban designs thrown in.”
    • “However, I do feel like the overall tone (music, atmosphere, and level design) was better in the first one.”
    • “The atmosphere is very strong, making you feel like the earth has been corrupted with the flesh and metallic walls and the living eye switches that blink when you touch them or the pools of blood; you go to factories, cities, and more.”
  • stability19 mentions

    The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with many users reporting significant bugs and freezing issues, particularly at the main menu and during gameplay. While some players experience smooth performance on certain systems, others face frequent crashes and glitches that hinder their experience. Overall, the game is described as playable but requires workarounds and external fixes to address its instability.

    • “4-5 hours of playtime on a single charge; everything is fluid and runs great.”
    • “Bug-free experience.”
    • “The game runs great on my Windows 7 64-bit.”
    • “Doom 2 is great since it has controller support, but the only problem I'm having is that the game freezes up during the secret levels and doesn't want to send me to the next map.”
    • “Freezes and won't let me proceed after the first level.”
    • “I'm sure this game is great and I was very excited to play it, but it doesn't work; it goes to the title screen and freezes.”
  • optimization11 mentions

    The optimization of the remastered classic is mixed, with some users noting that it runs smoothly on modern systems like Windows 10+, while others experience performance issues such as stuttering and off-beat music. Many recommend using community-created source ports like Zandronum or PrBoom for better performance, as the default setup using DOSBox is not well-optimized. Overall, while the game retains a small file size and nostalgic charm, it requires additional tweaks for optimal performance on newer hardware.

    • “A Windows 95/98 classic remastered to run smoothly on Windows 10+.”
    • “- Hilariously small file size with great optimization (thanks Carmack! But I guess it's a given with how old it is by now).”
    • “As with the original Doom, Zandronum or any other modernizer/patch are recommended to make this game run smoothly with newer computers.”
    • “The frame rate runs at a constant stutter, the music is offbeat, it has some performance issues oddly enough, and more that I'm sure I didn't encounter.”
    • “The fake DOS emulation done by the game (without the module) is poorly optimized and runs poorly.”
    • “This Steam release uses DOSBox to emulate a DOS environment for the game, but its default setup is not optimized.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Reviews highlight a mixed emotional experience in the game, with some players appreciating the calmness and resilience of characters, while others find the lack of a compelling storyline and dialogue disappointing. The gameplay can evoke strong feelings, particularly through challenging levels that can be emotionally taxing, yet the music stands out as a significant emotional highlight. Overall, the emotional depth varies, with some players finding it impactful and others feeling it falls short.

    • “It's, uh, emotionally devastating, for when you're feeling a bit too cocky after beating Plutonia on ultra-violence and need to get knocked down a couple notches.”
    • “New enemies that make you feel like you want to cry.”
    • “Doom 2 is a touching tale of a space soldier and his super shotgun trying to get by in a city run by hell demons.”
    • “The story is pretty boring, and you might want to skip through the cutscenes, but you can't expect the game to be perfect.”
    • “While there are great classic levels and a variety of weapons and enemies, the emotional depth of the narrative falls flat.”
    • “The music is fantastic and my favorite part of the game, but it can't make up for the lack of emotional engagement in the story.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for its reliance on microtransactions, limited-time events, and DLC, which detracts from the overall experience and balance, particularly in multiplayer. Reviewers suggest that the game feels like a cash grab with a lack of originality, recommending alternatives like "Megaman 8-Bit Deathmatch" and "Brutal Doom" for a more authentic and enjoyable experience.

    • “The game features 7 weapons, with no secondary weapon mode, no mods, and no ads.”
    • “Modern gaming is plagued by microtransactions, limited-time events, DLC, and unbalanced multiplayer.”
    • “I wish we could time travel to a time before microtransactions, broken game releases, and DLC, focusing instead on perfect fun, skill, and, of course, hell.”
    • “Modern doom = microtransactions, limited time events, DLC, unbalanced multiplayer.”
    • “If you want to play an actual good Doom game, play Doom Eternal and don't get this shameless cash grab with no originality.”
    • “Time travel to before microtransactions, broken game releases, and DLC, focus on perfect fun, skill, and, of course, hell.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted by American McGee's imaginative design and Adrian Carmack's strikingly grotesque character designs and landscapes, which create a haunting and memorable experience for players.

    • “American McGee brings his imaginative design skills, and Adrian Carmack, not related to John but just as talented, gives us those grotesque character designs and landscapes that stick in your nightmares.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

6hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
5-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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