Video Game Review #587: Doom II

Doom II

PC

Nostalgia Factor:

Prior to this review, I had played through Doom II twice in my life. Both times I liked the game, but I didn't really consider it to be anything special. I usually play it on the heels of the original Doom, and I'm sure I just get "Doom'd out" from playing so many of these levels.

This time, I approached the game from a different perspective. Instead of sitting down and devoting long chunks of time to playing the game, I would play it more sparingly. A level here, a level there. Maybe play for 45 minutes each night before bed. The more casual approach definitely helped, as I was more able to enjoy the game than I have in the past.

Let's move onto my full review.

Story:

If you are playing Doom II for the story, you're doing it wrong. I don't know what this story is about. You're a soldier and you are fighting against the bad guys of hell. Mars! Space stations! None of that mattered one tiny bit to me as I played through this. I was here for the gameplay.

Gameplay:

If for some reason you've never played a Doom game before and aren't familiar with how they work, let me explain it to you. Doom is a dark, futuristic first person shooter. The action is fast and chaotic. The levels are giant mazes, and you have to blast through waves of enemies to find the keys you need to make it through the stages and get to the level exits.

The game is filled with weapons you can pick up to mow down your foes. Doom II introduces the double-barreled shotgun. This was my favorite weapon as I played through this game. It packs such a devastating punch. There were only a few occasions in the game where I found myself running out of ammunition. But you still have to manage your ammo inventory properly. You can't just spin around in circles, firing recklessly every which way but where. 

While the gameplay is very similar to that found in the first Doom, I think this game does things just a little bit better. The stages are more creatively designed. There is a wider array of enemies to fight. Lots more secrets and hidden passages to discover. There's even some bonus stages in this game that transport you into the world of Wolfenstein 3D. I was so shocked and surprised to discover these stages on my playthrough, because I had never unlocked them in the past.

There are about 30 stages in total. However, Doom II offers a series of hidden stages called the Master Levels. These levels are extra difficult, and you start each of them with only a handgun. These levels were pretty fun, and added a longevity to the game that wouldn't have been there otherwise.

My only real complaint about this game is the fact that I got lost so many times while playing it. So many stages had one small thing that would hold me up. A switch I couldn't find, a hidden door that I didn't know was there. I had to turn to the internet for help more often than I would care to admit. I don't feel too bad, though. I'd probably still be wandering aimlessly through this game if I didn't turn to the internet for assistance. Back in the day, I can imagine this game must have been quite frustrating to play through without the option of looking online for a walkthrough.

Graphics:

People might say that Doom doesn't look good anymore. I beg to differ. To me, this game has a timeless look and feel that will never die. The levels are big and atmospheric. The enemies are iconic. I can't help but feel overwhelmed by the game's charm when I play this. The graphics clearly are from the 90s and suffer from pixelization and muddied textures at times, but it never effects the actual gameplay.

Maybe this game doesn't look as clear and defined as a Call of Duty game or anything like that. But I love how this game looks. Heck, I prefer this look to the look of the recent Doom remake and its sequels. They lack the heart and soul found here. And they always find a way to mess up the Cacodemons.

Sound:

This game sounds great. It's dark and moody when it needs to be. I love the combination of metal and techno music. But what steals the show for me are, oddly, the sound effects. Each enemy is easily identifiable by the sound it makes when it becomes aware of you. The Imps make kind of a yelling sound. The Pinkies make an oinking sound. The Cacodemons hiss. You always know which weapon to get ready and which enemy to expect when you hear their signature sound effects.

The sound of your weapons firing is awesome, too. Who doesn't feel like a badass when using the double barreled shotgun and listening to the sound it makes as you reload in battle?

Overall:

I had such a great time coming back to visit the classic Doom originals. I really liked the first Doom (let me shamelessly plug my own blog and give you the link to my review here). As much as I liked the original Doom, it is possible that the second Doom is even better. I absolutely loved it. Not only did I love it, but my 5 year old son did too. Now I know this isn't a game for 5 year olds, but he came home when I was playing this once and saw me playing. He would periodically ask to see it in the ensuing weeks, and I'd put it on for him for a few minutes. He became fixated on the Cacodemons. When we have play time before bed, he likes to hiss and pretend we are hiding from the Cacodemons. Sometimes he lays down and says he's dead and that they killed him. It's very cute.

I gave the original Doom an A+. Since I like this game even more than the original, it will very obviously also get an A+. To me, this is super surprising. When I started replaying these old Doom games, I did so with trepidation. I knew that I liked them from when I was younger, but I wasn't very excited to come back. I certainly didn't expect to fall in love with them like I did.

So yeah. Classic Doom. Both 1 and 2: these are awesome games. I had such a fabulous time with both of them. Looking back at my old reviews, I gave Doom 64 an A back when I reviewed it in 2021. So it's not just a fluke. The whole darn series is pretty good. I don't know why that comes as a surprise to me. Doom is a popular franchise for a reason. I'm glad I have finally opened my eyes and am just now appreciating its true greatness.

THE GRADE:

A+

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