Doom series

Iconic DOOM series

The DOOM series is one of the most legendary and influential FPS game franchises in history. Created by id Software, DOOM helped shape the first-person shooter genre as we know it today. The series centers around the Doom Slayer (also known as Doomguy), an unstoppable warrior who battles hordes of demons unleashed by human experiments gone wrong.

This game franchise is all about brutal, high-speed combat, overpowered weapons, iconic monsters, and relentless energy. Over time, it has evolved from pixelated corridors to modern 3D carnage while staying true to its fast, fluid, and violent roots.

When did DOOM games first release?

The original DOOM was released in 1993 and changed video games forever. With its fast action, mod support, and groundbreaking 3D visuals (for its time), it became a phenomenon. Since then, the DOOM game series has been rebooted, expanded, and reimagined across multiple decades and console generations, from MS-DOS to next-gen.

DOOM series in order of release

There are over a dozen titles under the DOOM name, including mainline games, spin-offs, and reboots. Here’s a list of the games in order:

1. DOOM (1993)
2. DOOM II: Hell on Earth (1994)
3. Final DOOM (1996)
4. DOOM 64 (1997)
5. DOOM 3 (2004)
6. DOOM (2016) – Series reboot
7. DOOM Eternal (2020) – Direct sequel to the reboot
8. DOOM: The Dark Ages (2025)

There are also expansions like The Ancient Gods Parts 1 & 2 (2020–2021), which extend the DOOM Eternal storyline.

What’s the best order to play DOOM games?

Although the game isn’t known for having a deeply complex narrative, the DOOM timeline has some continuity. You can either play in release order or follow the chronological timeline of the story across the game series in order.

Chronological DOOM game timeline:

1. DOOM (1993) – The original outbreak of Hell on Mars
2. DOOM II: Hell on Earth (1994) – Demons invade Earth
3. Final DOOM (1996) – Spin-off campaigns continuing the original story
4. DOOM 64 (1997) – A direct follow-up to DOOM II; now canonically the bridge to the reboot
5. DOOM: The Dark Ages (2025) – Prequel of the rebooted DOOM, with action set in the depths of hell
6. DOOM (2016) – A new Slayer rises in a rebooted universe, but connected through lore
7. DOOM Eternal (2020) – Expands on the Slayer's origin and sets up the endgame
8. The Ancient Gods Part 1 & 2 – Concludes the DOOM Eternal arc with a god-tier showdown

DOOM 3 (2004) is generally considered a standalone reimagining of the original game, set in its own timeline with a more horror-focused tone. You can play it separately without needing to follow the others.

The best DOOM games

The original DOOM (1993) is iconic for its innovation and influence. DOOM II ramped up the chaos with tougher enemies and faster pacing. However, DOOM (2016) is often hailed as the perfect modern revival, blending brutal combat, smooth movement, and an epic metal soundtrack. Its follow-up, DOOM Eternal, took everything to the next level with more mobility, complexity, and lore. Many believe that the best Doom game is the rebooted 2016 title. 

Who are the most iconic DOOM characters?

The DOOM game franchise keeps it simple but legendary. At the center of everything is the Doom Slayer, an unstoppable force of rage and justice who doesn’t need much dialogue to leave an impact.

Other important characters include:

• VEGA – The AI companion of the Slayer
• Samuel Hayden – A morally gray scientist from DOOM (2016) and Eternal
• The Khan Maykr – Celestial antagonist in DOOM Eternal
• Davoth / The Dark Lord – The final boss of The Ancient Gods Part 2

Rather than lengthy exposition, the games tell their story through the environment, lore tablets, and epic boss fights.

When is the new Doom game coming out?

As of 2026, id Software has not shared any concrete details about a possible next game in the DOOM series. The modern DOOM trilogy concluded with the release of DOOM: The Dark Ages, which premiered on May 15, 2025, on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, bringing all major storylines to a close. However, fans of the franchise should not be disappointed, as the developers have no intention of abandoning an IP that has grown significantly since 2016 and has received countless accolades from both critics and players.

Representatives of id Software have confirmed that the studio is working simultaneously on multiple different projects, and that the DOOM universe still has plenty of life left, offering opportunities to explore many new stories and worlds. An announcement of a new title seems to be only a matter of time, though development itself will likely take several years. At the earliest, a new DOOM game can be expected around 2028 or 2029 on PC and next-generation consoles, giving developers ample time to implement new graphical effects and technologies. For all the latest info, check out our gaming news section and stay up to date.