Demons? Check. Guns? Check. Even bigger guns? Double check. The latest incarnation of Doom from id Software keeps things simple, but its fast-paced and brutal gameplay gives it an edge in a sea of plodding cover-based shooters.
There's no pseudo-military style action here - this is a retro shooter updated for modern hardware and audiences. And it's good.
A word of warning before we proceed: you may want to leave the kids at home for this one. Doom is rated R and there are no parent-friendly options to minimise the violence and gore.
Doom is a glorious return to the early days of the first-person shooter at its most hyperactive.
The marine is super quick on his feet and has acrobatic ability beyond what feels “right” for a modern shooter.
This is part of its beauty – Doom never forgets that it’s a game, and revels in its ability to not take itself seriously.
While there is an overarching plot that even the marine himself doesn’t seem interested in, most of the game is spent clearing large enemy-infested arenas with whatever demon death-dealing devices you can find.
Most of these arenas are either wide open spaces or have multiple levels upon which to fight, or in most cases both. This gives you plenty of room to move and also to experiment with the combat system, which rewards you for mixing up how you dispense righteous justice.
Shooting demons expends your ammo, which you can replenish by killing demons with the chainsaw.
You can also replenish your health by finishing off demons in hand-to-hand combat, so no matter how badly things are going, the right answer is almost always to just keep fighting.
But while the campaign shows inspired brilliance, the multiplayer doesn't reach the same standard.
One of the high points is the ability to transform into a demon and fight against other players as a minion of Hell, which is a decent change of pace from the bland run-and-gun that makes up the majority of the multiplayer experience. In this regard, the old-school, retro feel just seems shallow.
Creative types will also find the game’s editor mode, SnapMap, lacking. It’s great for whacking together a room or two, but ultimately the options are quite limited. Minecraft on Mars this ain’t.
Neither SnapMap nor the multiplayer are worth the price of admission alone, so if you aren’t interested in playing solo, it may be best to let sleeping Dooms lie.
However, if blasting demons across Mars sounds like a Hell-uva good time, strap on the marine boots, load the super shotgun, and get ready to rip and tear!
Doom is rated R and is available on PC, PS4 and Xbox One. RRP $79.95.