Doom

The Doom franchise follows humanity’s repeated attempts to exploit the power of Hell through advanced technology, and the rise of the Doom Slayer (Doom Guy), an unstoppable warrior who becomes the eternal enemy of demonic forces. Across games, films, comics, novels, and crossovers, Doom blends sci-fi, horror, and mythic action as the Slayer battles demonic invasions unleashed by the Union Aerospace Corporation’s experiments.

I’ve played Doom on PC, Super Nintendo, Xbox, so many different devices. It’s been a part of my whole life, starting as a child with the red cartridge, to The Dark Ages. It’s one of the few franchises that’s followed me across every era of gaming.

Doom Classic Games Story

The story begins on the UAC bases on Phobos and Deimos, where teleportation tests accidentally open portals to Hell. A lone marine fights through the overrun facilities, descends into Hell, and destroys the demonic leadership. The invasion later reaches Earth, forcing the marine to battle through a devastated planet before returning to Hell to stop the Mother Demon. Choosing to remain in Hell, he vows to end the demonic threat forever.

Doom 2016, Eternal Story, and The Dark Ages

Centuries later, the UAC rediscovers the Doom Slayer while harvesting Argent Energy from Hell. Their experiments trigger another invasion, awakening the Slayer to reclaim his Praetor Suit and destroy the corrupted UAC operations. In Doom Eternal, the invasion escalates to a full-scale assault on Earth, revealing the ancient Night Sentinels, the Maykrs, and the Slayer’s origins. The Slayer battles across dimensions to end the Hell–Earth energy cycle and defeat the Khan Maykr. Doom: The Dark Ages is a prequel to the modern trilogy. It takes place between Doom 64 and the 2016 game.

Other Media

Doom has expanded beyond games into multiple forms of media. The franchise includes official novels that reinterpret the classic games with a more narrative-driven approach, exploring the marine’s psychology and the broader implications of the Hell invasion. Comics published by id Software and later by DC provide stylized, exaggerated takes on the Slayer’s battles, often emphasizing the mythic and supernatural elements of the universe. Doom’s influence also extends into tabletop adaptations, fan-made animations, and official lore videos that expand the mythology introduced in the reboot era.

Movies

The franchise has received two live-action film adaptations. The 2005 film Doom loosely adapts the series with a sci-fi horror approach and a first-person action sequence inspired by the games. In 2019, Doom: Annihilation offered a more direct Hell-focused storyline, though both films received mixed reception from fans. While neither film fully captures the tone of the games, they remain notable extensions of the franchise’s cultural footprint.

Crossovers and Cameos

Doom has appeared in numerous crossovers across gaming culture. The Doom Slayer is a playable character in Quake Champions, and Doom-themed content has appeared in titles like Rage, Fallout 76, and even Minecraft through official add-ons. The Slayer’s armor and weapons have also been featured in Fortnite, bringing the franchise to a new generation of players. These crossovers reinforce Doom’s status as one of gaming’s most iconic and influential series.

Core Themes

The franchise centers on humanity’s hubris, the collision of science and the supernatural, and the Slayer’s transformation from soldier to myth. Across every era and medium, Doom explores the consequences of exploiting forbidden power and the relentless determination of a warrior who refuses to let Hell win.

The Future

Doom is one of the most recognizable franchises in the world so new entries in the franchise is all but guaranteed. The latest game, Doom: The Dark Ages, launched in 2025 and changed the game, literally. No longer is the lore hidden in logs, but for the first time in Doom history, the story plays out in cut scenes.

Doom: The Dark Ages, which released in 2025, is set to receive a huge DLC, which game director Hugo Martin has described it as practically a sequel. With Eternal’s Ancient Gods DLC spanning across multiple parts, there’s no telling how much will be included in the Dark Ages’ DLC.