By Yorch la Torch

DOOM is one of the most influential games of all time. It single-handedly elevated the First Person Shooter to immense popularity. Originally released in 1993, DOOM took the world by storm, providing an immersive setting, addictive gameplay, iconic enemies, and a memorable soundtrack. Legendary developer Id Software understood the impact DOOM could have on the industry, and encouraged the modding community to create their own levels and narratives. The game has aged remarkably well, and its fan base continues to grow after more than 30 years. To commemorate the franchise's achievement, particularly its roots, Bethesda and id Software recently announced the release of DOOM + DOOM 2. This article will help you understand what the hype and excitement are all about. Let's get started!

What is DOOM + DOOM 2

DOOM + DOOM 2 is a complete package containing the definitive, and newly enhanced versions of both DOOM and DOOM 2. It also includes the now legendary expansion packs Master Levels of DOOM II, TNT: Evilution, The Plutonia Experiment (both of them part of the retail version of DOOM FINAL), No Rest for the Living, Sigil, and a new DOOM chapter titled Legacy of Rust. The update is free for you if you already bought DOOM and DOOM 2, or you can buy the entire collection for about $10 USD.

What is each expansion pack about?

Master Levels of DOOM II: A curated expansion to DOOM II by id Software after the company noticed some levels from the community were bundled for retail without much quality. It features 21 levels created by top authors. The new edition provides a playthrough order for the Master Levels. TNT Evilution and The Plutonia Experiment: These two games were part of the retail version of Final DOOM. TNT Evilution was developed by revered modding team TeamTNT taking place on one of the moons of Jupiter. The Plutonia Experiment was created by Dario and Milo Casali, and is often considered one of the most challenging DOOM episodes. No Rest for the Living: Released in 2010, it was the first new official DOOM episode in 14 years. This episode takes place after the events of DOOM II, featuring nine adrenaline-filled maps that take advantage of newer system capabilities, offering elaborate outdoor scenes and environmental storytelling. Sigil: An unofficial 5th episode after DOOM's Thy Flesh Consumed, Sigil was designed by none other than DOOM's chief designer, John Romero to celebrate the game's 25th anniversary in 2019. It features tight combat areas with constrained ammo ib an intense setting, making it a memorable DOOM experience. Legacy of Rust: The newest official episode for DOOM and developed exclusively for DOOM + DOOM 2 by id Software, Nightdive Studios and MachineGames. The episode is incredibly well designed, reflecting id Software's and the community experience with the DOOM engine over the past 3 decades. This episode alone is well worth the price of admission.

I install DOOM + DOOM 2, now what?

The game immediately opens with a menu where you can choose each of the games, expansions and episodes in the collection. I really liked the fact each entry has interesting commentary about the history and setting of each pack. After making your selection, you'll be in front of a solid gameplay experience. You can also choose between the original soundtrack or the impressive IDKFA soundtrack by Andrew Hulshut. The game runs at 60 fps in 1080p on all platforms, and can be scaled to a whopping 120 fps in 4K on supported hardware.

So, do you recommend DOOM + DOOM 2?

I'll keep this short and sweet: ABSOLUTELY! If you were wondering about online deathmatch the answer is YES. DOOM + DOOM 2 offers online deathmatch and co-op for up to 16 players featuring 43 levels of pure online mayhem. It also supports community mods.