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DOOM Eternal
2020Shooter
More story focusedExpanded multiplayer modesPost-apocalyptic setting
If DOOM's relentless, forward-pushing combat loop has you craving more, you're in exactly the right place. Games like DOOM share a very specific DNA: blistering first-person action, a heavy metal attitude, and a design philosophy that rewards aggression over caution. From the iconic 2016 reboot's satisfying glory kills to its thunderous soundtrack, DOOM set a benchmark — and there are some outstanding titles that hit that same nerve.
What makes DOOM genuinely special isn't just that it's a shooter — it's the way every system conspires to keep you moving. The fast-paced combat demands constant momentum, positioning, and weapon-switching, all wrapped in a sci-fi horror atmosphere thick with demons, blood, and industrial dread. Players aren't here for deep storytelling or complex character arcs; they're here for gunplay that feels like a percussion instrument and levels that escalate relentlessly. That's the experience any worthy alternative needs to replicate.
Doom Eternal raises the mechanical complexity with an addictive combat loop and stunning visuals. DOOM: The Dark Ages introduces a bold shield-and-parry system with a stunning dark medieval aesthetic. Prodeus is a love letter to classic boomer shooters with phenomenal weapon feel and a robust level editor. Serious Sam 3: BFE delivers relentless horde-based action with old-school charm. Trepang2 blends fast gunplay with bullet-time mechanics and a surprisingly atmospheric horror edge. Wolfenstein: The New Order rounds things out with polished first-person action and a rare story worth caring about.
Every recommendation below is ranked by similarity to DOOM using real player data, so the closest matches appear first. Browse the full list to find your next favorite first-person shooter.
If DOOM's relentless combat loop—where weapon switching, resource management, and forward momentum create a rhythm you can't break—kept you locked in, Doom Eternal doubles down on that exact flow. The chainsaw refuels ammo, the flame belch triggers armor drops, and every tool serves a tactical purpose that forces you to stay mobile and engaged.
Both games share that heavy metal soundtrack amplifying pure adrenaline, but Eternal weaponizes it differently: the music pulses with your combat intensity, making environmental destruction and demon dismemberment feel like percussion hits rather than afterthoughts. The graphics push further too—vibrant, layered arenas replace DOOM's darker corridors, giving you more visual feedback for the chaos you're creating.
Where Eternal pivots is deliberate complexity. DOOM's elegance came from simplicity; Eternal demands you master more systems simultaneously. This trades accessibility for depth—some find it overwhelming, but completionists and strategy-minded players discover significantly higher replayability across difficulty tiers.
Where the original stumbled with thin narrative, Eternal actually weaves story into your moment-to-moment choices, though critics debate whether that serves or clutters the core experience. Best for players hungry for mastery-driven combat that rewards learning every tool at your disposal.
If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to DOOM Eternal.


Ripping through demons at close range, then instantly chaining the next kill, is the kind of pressure DOOM fans know by heart, and DOOM: The Dark Ages keeps that ruthless rhythm alive. The first-person combat still centers on speed, blood, and aggressive positioning, so every fight pushes you to keep moving instead of hiding.
What carries over especially well is the fast-paced weapon loop and the constant demand to read enemy patterns on the fly. The new shield and parry mechanics add a fresh layer because they reward timing and forward momentum, which preserves that “never stop attacking” feel while giving you more ways to control the arena.
It also answers one common complaint about the 2016 DOOM: the story feeling thin. The Dark Ages leans harder into story-rich and lore-rich presentation, so the action has more context without abandoning the core loop that made the series work.
Best for players who want mastery, heavy combat, and a darker twist on DOOM’s signature pace.
If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to DOOM: The Dark Ages.


Both titles thrive on the raw adrenaline of backpedaling through a corridor while unloading heavy ordnance into a relentless wall of monsters. Serious Sam 3: BFE captures that specific flow where survival depends on constant movement and prioritizing the most lethal threats in a crowded room. This creates a mechanical loop where your pulse stays high as you navigate arenas designed for maximum carnage.
The game emphasizes a diverse arsenal, requiring rapid swaps between shotguns and launchers to exploit specific enemy weaknesses. Much like the intense resourcefulness required in DOOM, the sheer volume of foes in Serious Sam will overwhelm anyone who relies on a single weapon. The inclusion of robust co-operative modes further expands the chaos, allowing you to tackle these punishing waves with a team.
Serious Sam 3 swaps grim horror for a campy, humorous tone. This shift addresses common complaints regarding DOOM’s thin narrative by embracing a self-aware "B-movie" vibe that prioritizes absurdity over cryptic lore.
Best for players who prioritize arcade-style mastery and total battlefield saturation.
If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Serious Sam 3: BFE.


DOOM fans know that feeling: you round a corner, demons flood the arena, and your shotgun barks loud enough to rattle your teeth. Prodeus nails that same visceral rhythm—each weapon has punch, every kill feeds the adrenaline loop, and the pace never lets you catch your breath.
The weapon design deserves special credit. Just like DOOM's arsenal, Prodeus weapons feel weighty and distinct; the chaingun rattles, the rocket launcher explodes with screen-shaking authority. That satisfying gunplay stems from tight feedback systems: muzzle flash, recoil, sound design, and enemy reaction all sync to make shooting feel consequential rather than sterile. Additionally, both games embrace the classic arena-shooter loop of clearing rooms, grabbing keys, and unlocking paths—spatial puzzle-solving through pure firepower.
Where Prodeus diverges is its retro pixel aesthetic and built-in level editor. The chunky sprites and limited enemy roster sacrifice DOOM's monster design polish for nostalgic charm, but the editor compensates by turning players into creators with thousands of community-built maps to explore.
Best for players who prioritize pure combat mastery over narrative depth and want endless content beyond the campaign.
If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Prodeus.


That same pulse of relentless forward pressure — where stopping moving means dying — runs through Trepang2 just as it does through DOOM's combat arenas. Both games demand you stay aggressive, punishing passive play and rewarding players who push into danger rather than retreating from it.
The first-person gunplay is fast, weighty, and bloody, and Trepang2 layers in a bullet-time mechanic that gives combat a similar feeling of controlled chaos — you're not slowing things down to be careful, you're slowing them down to be more destructive. The destructible environments add a physical feedback to firefights that DOOM players, already conditioned to feel every kill, will immediately appreciate.
Where DOOM keeps its story thin, Trepang2 actually builds a psychological horror narrative with more texture — a meaningful tradeoff for players who've wanted the kinetic action without the shallow plot.
Best for DOOM players who want that same high-speed lethality but are ready for a campaign that gives them something to chew on between the carnage.
If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Trepang2.


The shared DNA of Doom 3 and DOOM lies in their relentless first-person combat against waves of hellish demonic hordes. This high-octane violence is amplified by a pounding, industrial soundtrack that keeps the adrenaline surging through every claustrophobic corridor.
The primary tradeoff is a shift in pacing: DOOM thrives on hyper-kinetic movement, while Doom 3 anchors itself in visceral survival horror and slow-burn tension. Where the former favors fluid gunplay, the latter prioritizes atmosphere and shadow-heavy, methodical exploration.
Pick this up if you want the satisfying visceral gunplay of the franchise but can live without the constant, breakneck speed of modern arena-shooters.
If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Doom 3.


Both DOOM and Wolfenstein: The New Order deliver intense first-person shooter action, emphasizing fast-paced combat that keeps players constantly engaged. Their shared science fiction themes add depth, enriching the core gunplay with a memorable setting. This connection anchors the gameplay experience despite different narrative approaches.
Wolfenstein's strong character development and story contrast with DOOM’s minimal narrative, providing emotional stakes that influence player investment beyond raw action. This matters for players who value story-driven shooters without sacrificing combat intensity. The tradeoff lies in Wolfenstein’s more constrained level design and stealth elements, which can disrupt momentum.
Pick Wolfenstein: The New Order if you want a deep narrative and tactical variety but can tolerate occasional pacing issues. Choose DOOM if your priority is relentless, reflex-driven combat with a straightforward, adrenaline-fueled experience.
If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Wolfenstein: The New Order.


Both DOOM and Dying Light deliver fast, punchy first‑person combat, and both let you tear through enemies with a friend in co‑op.
The shared horror tone adds stakes to the firefights, making each bullet feel weightier even when the pace is frantic.
Dying Light swaps DOOM’s breakneck speed for a sprawling open world with parkour and a richer story, but the slower survival mechanics and grind can dull the immediacy.
Grab Dying Light if you crave DOOM’s aggressive shooter loop in a co‑op setting but can deal with a more methodical pace and occasional monetization.
If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Dying Light.


Both games nail the same core appeal: relentless first-person combat with a killer metal soundtrack that makes violence feel like a rhythm game. The soundtrack isn't window dressing—it's the glue binding action to atmosphere.
DOOM II trades modern polish for raw replayability through split-screen multiplayer and mod support that the newer game lacks. You're choosing between 2024 spectacle and 1994 staying power.
Pick DOOM II if you want the original recipe and don't mind pixel art, but need multiplayer flexibility modern DOOM reserves for online modes.
If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to DOOM II.Return to Castle Wolfenstein captures the same kinetic, punchy combat rhythm that defines DOOM. You will spend your time navigating tight corridors and mowing down relentless waves of enemies using an arsenal of high-impact weaponry.
The shared reliance on supernatural horror grounds the gunplay in a satisfying, visceral context that elevates standard combat encounters. While DOOM prioritizes relentless forward momentum, this title forces occasional tactical restraint through clunky stealth sequences.
Pick this up if you crave old-school, high-octane FPS mechanics but can live with archaic AI and the technical friction of running a legacy engine on modern hardware.
If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Return to Castle Wolfenstein.

