How to Play Every Doom Game in Order From 1993 to the Dark Ages

The legacy of Doom is etched into the very foundation of the first-person shooter genre. Since its inception in 1993, the franchise has undergone radical transformations—from a pixelated shareware phenomenon to a high-octane technical powerhouse. Understanding the order of these games is not merely a matter of following dates; it involves navigating through direct sequels, narrative reboots, atmospheric horror experiments, and the complex lore of the Doom Slayer.

For a player looking to experience the series today, there are two primary ways to categorize the titles: the Release Order and the Narrative Timeline.

The Definitive Release Order of Mainline Doom Games

The following list represents the primary entries in the franchise as they were unleashed upon the public. This sequence allows you to witness the technical evolution of gaming hardware and the refinement of id Software’s "push-forward" combat philosophy.

1. Doom (1993)

Originally released on December 10, 1993, the first Doom defined the "Doom Clone" era. Playing as an unnamed space marine stationed on Phobos, one of Mars' moons, you witness a teleportation experiment gone horribly wrong, tearing open a portal to Hell.

In our technical analysis of the original engine, the game utilizes a 2.5D perspective—while levels appear 3D, the engine calculates logic in 2D to allow for high-speed performance on early 486 PCs. The iconic "Knee-Deep in the Dead" episode remains a masterclass in non-linear level design. The 1995 re-release, The Ultimate Doom, added a fourth episode, "Thy Flesh Consumed," which significantly spiked the difficulty for veteran players.

2. Doom II: Hell on Earth (1994)

Released just a year later, Doom II did not reinvent the wheel but perfected the arsenal. It introduced the Super Shotgun (double-barreled), a weapon that has since become the series' most recognizable tool of destruction. Rather than self-contained episodes, Doom II features one continuous journey of 30 levels (plus two secret levels inspired by Wolfenstein 3D).

The game shifted the setting from Martian moons to Earth, introducing iconic enemies like the Mancubus, the Revenant, and the Arch-vile. For modern players, the recent 2024 enhancement Doom + Doom II integrates these classics with KEX Engine support, offering 4K resolution and high-refresh-rate gameplay.

3. Doom 64 (1997)

Despite the name suggesting a mere port, Doom 64 is a distinct, standalone entry developed by Midway Games. For years, it was considered a forgotten gem, but recent lore integration confirms it as the true chronological sequel to Doom II.

The tone of Doom 64 is markedly different—darker, more atmospheric, and leaning into cosmic horror. It replaced the heavy metal aesthetic with a haunting, ambient soundscape. Technically, it introduced the "Unmaker," a weapon that could be upgraded via Demon Keys found in secret levels. It remains a crucial bridge between the classic era and the modern revival.

4. Doom 3 (2004)

A decade after the original sequel, Doom 3 served as a narrative and technical reboot. Built on the id Tech 4 engine, it was a showcase for dynamic lighting and unified shadows. Unlike its predecessors, Doom 3 is a survival-horror game. The pacing is slower, the corridors are claustrophobic, and the terror stems from what you cannot see.

In our retrospectives, the "flashlight mechanic"—which originally required players to switch between their weapon and their light source—remains a point of contention among fans. The 2012 BFG Edition "fixed" this by mounting the light on the suit, though many purists argue this diminished the intended atmosphere.

5. Doom (2016)

The 2016 reboot discarded the horror-centric pace of Doom 3 in favor of "Rip and Tear." This title introduced the "Glory Kill" system, which rewards aggressive play by dropping health and ammo when enemies are executed up close.

Powered by id Tech 6, the game revitalized the franchise. It successfully blended the speed of the 90s with modern progression systems. It also began the "Slayer Saga," rebranding the protagonist as the Doom Slayer—an ancient, mythic warrior feared by all of Hell.

6. Doom Eternal (2020)

Doom Eternal expanded the mechanics of its predecessor into what developers call "Combat Chess." Every enemy has a specific weakness, and every resource (health, armor, ammo) is tied to a specific action (Glory Kill, Flame Belch, Chainsaw).

Using id Tech 7, the game removed the 250 FPS cap and introduced sprawling, high-fidelity environments across Earth, Mars, and various demonic dimensions. It is significantly more difficult than the 2016 entry, requiring players to master the "Meat Hook" on the Super Shotgun and the new Dash mechanic for survival.

7. Doom: The Dark Ages (2025)

The upcoming entry, Doom: The Dark Ages, is positioned as a prequel to the 2016 reboot. It explores the Slayer’s origins as a super-weapon for the Night Sentinels. From the reveal footage, we observe a shift toward "heavy" combat, introducing a Shield Saw and dragon-riding mechanics, suggesting a more grounded but equally brutal experience compared to the high-flying platforming of Eternal.

The Chronological Narrative Timeline: A Lore Perspective

If you want to follow the story of the Doom Slayer from his humble beginnings to his ascension as a god-like entity, the order of play changes. While the lore was originally minimalist, the modern trilogy has retroactively tied nearly all mainline games into a singular, multiversal continuity.

The Prequel Era

• Doom: The Dark Ages: This game depicts the Slayer (at the time, a gladiator) during the civil wars of Argent D'Nur. It establishes the technology and the pacts made between the Sentinels and the Maykrs.

The Classic Cycle

• Doom (1993): The marine's first encounter with Hell on Mars. He is a mortal soldier who refuses to follow an illegal order and is sent to the UAC facility as punishment.
• Doom II: Hell on Earth: The invasion follows him back to Earth. He saves humanity by defeating the Icon of Sin but loses his family (and his pet rabbit, Daisy) in the process.
• Doom 64: After the events of Doom II, the marine stays in Hell to ensure no demon ever crosses over again. Over eons, his rage and power grow. This is where he eventually encounters the Sentinels of Argent D'Nur, leading into the events of The Dark Ages.

The Modern Cycle

• Doom (2016): The Slayer is awakened from a sarcophagus in a UAC facility on Mars. He is no longer just a marine; he is a force of nature.
• Doom Eternal: The Slayer returns to Earth to stop the Khan Maykr and the consumption of the human world.
• The Ancient Gods (DLC): This two-part expansion concludes the Slayer’s current arc, dealing with the creation of the universe and the ultimate fate of the Dark Lord.

The Outlier: Doom 3

• Doom 3 is generally considered a separate continuity or a parallel universe. It tells a similar story of a Martian invasion but does not feature the "Slayer" persona or the Argent D'Nur lore found in the other titles.

Expansions, Spin-offs, and Forgotten Chapters

To be truly comprehensive, one must look beyond the numbered entries. The Doom universe is filled with high-difficulty level sets and experimental genres.

Official Level Packs

• Final Doom (1996): Comprised of two 32-level episodes—TNT: Evilution and The Plutonia Experiment. Plutonia is legendary among the community for its brutal difficulty, often featuring multiple Arch-viles and Cyberdemons in tight spaces.
• Master Levels for Doom II (1995): A collection of standalone maps created by various designers. While lacking a cohesive narrative, these maps pushed the limits of the Doom II engine's geometry.
• Sigil & Sigil II: Created by original designer John Romero in 2019 and 2023 respectively, these serve as the unofficial fifth and sixth episodes of the original Doom.

Mobile and RPG Spin-offs

Before the smartphone era, id Software explored turn-based combat.

• Doom RPG (2005) and Doom II RPG (2009): These were first-person, turn-based dungeon crawlers for early mobile phones. They added significant character dialogue and stats, a rarity for the series.
• Mighty Doom (2023): A top-down, "roguelite" shooter for iOS and Android featuring a "mini" version of the Slayer.

Virtual Reality (VR)

• Doom VFR (2017): A standalone VR experience set during the 2016 invasion. It uses a teleportation-based movement system and focuses on the UAC’s attempt to stabilize the Martian base.
• Doom 3: VR Edition: A full port of the 2004 game optimized for VR headsets, enhancing the horror elements by placing the player directly into the dark corridors of Delta Labs.

Technical Evolution: From Sprites to Vulkan

The Doom series has always been a benchmark for PC hardware. Examining the technical order reveals how id Software influenced the industry.

In our testing, Doom Eternal remains one of the most optimized games on the market, capable of running at high frame rates even on modest hardware like the GTX 1650, while scaling up to utilize the full 24GB of VRAM on an RTX 3090/4090 for "Ultra Nightmare" textures.

How to Play Doom Today: Recommendations for 2024 and 2025

If you are looking to enter the series now, the landscape has changed thanks to recent remasters.

The "All-in-One" Solution

Bethesda recently released the Doom + Doom II bundle. This is the definitive way to play the classic era. It includes:

• Doom and Doom II.
• TNT: Evilution and The Plutonia Experiment.
• Master Levels.
• Sigil.
• A brand-new episode titled Legacy of Rust, developed in collaboration between id Software, Nightdive Studios, and MachineGames.

For Newcomers

We recommend starting with Doom (2016). While the 1993 original is a masterpiece, its abstract level design and lack of vertical aiming can be jarring for those raised on modern shooters. Doom (2016) provides the perfect entry point into the lore and the feel of modern combat. If you enjoy the adrenaline, move immediately to Doom Eternal.

For the Retro Purist

To experience the classics with modern conveniences (like mouse look and widescreen support), use a Source Port. GZDoom is the industry standard for modding, allowing you to run the original .WAD files with enhanced lighting and thousands of community-made "Megawads."

Summary of the Doom Franchise Journey

The Doom series is a rare example of a franchise that has successfully reinvented itself multiple times without losing its core identity. Whether you follow the release dates to see the history of gaming unfold or follow the Slayer's timeline to understand the fall of Argent D'Nur, the experience is unparalleled.

1. Classic Era (1993–1997): Focuses on speed, maze-like levels, and resource management.
2. Horror Era (2004–2005): A detour into cinematic terror and lighting tech.
3. Slayer Era (2016–Present): A return to speed but with "Glory Kills" and deep lore.

With Doom: The Dark Ages on the horizon for 2025, the order of the games is set to expand once more, taking us back to the beginning of the Slayer's myth.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Doom Game Order

Q: Do I need to play the old Doom games to understand Doom Eternal? A: Not strictly. Doom Eternal provides "Codex entries" that explain the history. However, playing Doom 64 and Doom (2016) provides much-needed context for the Slayer's origins and the secondary characters like Samuel Hayden.

Q: Is Doom 64 actually Doom 3? A: Narratively, yes. Doom 64 takes place after Doom II and explains why the marine stayed in Hell. The game titled Doom 3 is a separate reboot.

Q: What is the hardest Doom game to play in order? A: In terms of mechanical skill, Doom Eternal is the most demanding. In terms of level navigation and "cheap" enemy placement, The Plutonia Experiment (from Final Doom) is widely considered the most difficult.

Q: Can I play all Doom games on one console? A: Currently, the PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch all host almost every mainline entry, including the original classics, Doom 3, 2016, and Eternal.

Q: In what order should I play the DLC for Doom Eternal? A: You should play The Ancient Gods, Part One first, followed by Part Two. They are direct continuations of the main campaign's ending and are significantly more difficult.