Best Doom Games to Play After Doom: The Dark Ages

If you have just finished Doom: The Dark Ages and want more of that heavy, melee-forward combat and dark sci-fi atmosphere, the best pick is Doom Eternal. It is the direct sequel in the modern Slayer saga, and it refines the fast-paced combat with a deep resource-management loop that will feel familiar yet more demanding. You get the same brutal glory kills, the same metal soundtrack, and a challenge that pushes you to master every weapon and movement tool.

What to Look For

When choosing your next Doom game after The Dark Ages, focus on these criteria:

• Combat pacing: The Dark Ages has a heavier, more deliberate feel with its shield and melee focus. If you want a faster, more acrobatic style, go for Eternal or 2016. If you prefer the slower, tank-like power fantasy, the classic games or Doom 64 might suit you better.
• Story continuity: The modern saga has a connected narrative. Playing Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal gives you the full arc leading into The Dark Ages.
• Accessibility: Some games have difficulty spikes or complex mechanics. Consider how much time you want to invest in learning systems versus just blasting demons.
• Platform: All mainline Doom games are available on PC and most consoles, but check for Switch or cloud versions if that matters to you.
• Mod support: If you are on PC, the classic games have a massive modding community that can extend replayability infinitely.

Doom Eternal (2020)

Strengths: The most direct follow-up to The Dark Ages in terms of story and gameplay. It introduces a resource loop where you must use the chainsaw for ammo, flame belch for armor, and glory kills for health. It is fast, demanding, and deeply rewarding. The movement system includes a dash and a meat hook that attaches to demons, making combat feel like a ballet of destruction.

Trade-offs: The difficulty is high, and the game expects you to master all its systems. Some players find the platforming sections and the Marauder enemy frustrating. The story is more present than in 2016, which can be a turn-off if you prefer minimal narrative.

Who it suits: Players who want a challenging, mechanically deep shooter that rewards practice and mastery. If you enjoyed the combat puzzles of The Dark Ages, this is the natural next step.

Doom (2016)

Strengths: The reboot that revived the franchise. It has a more grounded, gritty tone compared to Eternal. Combat is fast but less complex, focusing on weapon switching and positioning. The level design is more linear but still encourages exploration for secrets. It is easier to pick up and play than Eternal, making it a great entry point.

Trade-offs: The story is minimal, and the multiplayer is dead. The gameplay feels dated compared to Eternal and The Dark Ages, especially the lack of a dash or mid-air control.

Who it suits: Players who want a more straightforward, pure combat experience without the resource juggling. It is also a good choice if you want to see where the modern saga began.

Doom 64 (1997)

Strengths: Often overlooked, this game is a direct sequel to Doom II and has a darker, more atmospheric tone that matches The Dark Ages in mood. It features new enemy types and a more puzzle-heavy level design. The remastered version on modern platforms includes a new episode that ties directly into Doom Eternal.

Trade-offs: The controls are dated, and the gameplay is much slower than any modern Doom. The levels can be confusing with their maze-like layouts.

Who it suits: Retro enthusiasts who want to experience the bridge between classic and modern Doom. If you liked the medieval-fantasy elements of The Dark Ages, this game has a similar eerie vibe.

Doom II: Hell on Earth (1994)

Strengths: The classic that introduced the Super Shotgun, one of the most satisfying weapons in the series. It has larger levels, more enemies, and a faster pace than the original. It is endlessly replayable thanks to the modding community.

Trade-offs: The level design can be confusing, and some levels are infamous for their difficulty spikes. The graphics and sound are very dated.

Who it suits: Players who want to see the roots of the franchise and enjoy old-school level design. If you are on PC, the modding scene offers thousands of new levels and total conversions.

Doom (1993)

Strengths: The original that started it all. It is fast, simple, and still fun today. The level design is iconic, and the game is easy to run on any device. It is also a great way to appreciate how the series has evolved.

Trade-offs: It is very basic by modern standards. No verticality, no glory kills, and the story is just text screens. The difficulty can be brutal, especially in the later episodes.

Who it suits: Purists who want to experience gaming history. It is also a good choice if you want a quick, pick-up-and-play experience without any complex systems.

Doom 3 (2004)

Strengths: A survival-horror take on Doom. It has a dark, claustrophobic atmosphere and a focus on light and shadow. The combat is slower and more methodical, with a flashlight that forces you to choose between seeing and shooting. It is a unique entry that offers a different kind of tension.

Trade-offs: It is not a fast-paced shooter, and many fans consider it a departure from the series’ core. The horror elements can be more annoying than scary, and the shotgun is weak.

Who it suits: Players who want a slower, more atmospheric experience. If you liked the darker story elements of The Dark Ages but want a more horror-oriented game, this is a good pick.

How to Choose

First, decide your budget. All these games are available at various price points, with classic Doom games often bundled together at a low cost. If you want the most modern experience and are willing to pay full price, go for Doom Eternal. If you are on a tight budget, the classic collection (Doom 1, 2, and 64) is often sold together for a very reasonable price.

Next, think about your use case. If you want a quick adrenaline rush, Doom 2016 is perfect. If you want a deep, long-term challenge, Eternal is better. If you are a completionist, Eternal has a lot of collectibles and challenges, while the classics have secrets and mods.

Common trade-offs: Eternal is harder and more complex, while 2016 is more accessible. The classics are cheaper but have dated graphics and controls. Doom 3 is the odd one out, so only get it if you specifically want a horror experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to play Doom 2016 before Eternal?
A: Not strictly, but it helps to understand the story and appreciate the evolution. Eternal recaps the events, but playing 2016 first gives you more context.

Q: Are the classic Doom games worth playing in 2025?
A: Yes, especially with modern source ports that add quality-of-life features like mouse look and widescreen support. They are fast, fun, and have a huge modding community.

Q: Which Doom game has the best multiplayer?
A: Doom Eternal has a unique 2v1 Battlemode, but it is not for everyone. The classic games have deathmatch, which is still fun if you can find players. Doom 2016 multiplayer is largely dead.

Q: Is Doom 3 a good game?
A: It is a good horror shooter, but it is not a typical Doom game. If you go in expecting fast-paced action, you will be disappointed. If you want a tense, atmospheric experience, it is worth a try.

Q: Can I run these games on a low-end PC?
A: The classic Doom games run on almost anything. Doom 2016 and Eternal are more demanding, but they are well-optimized. Check the system requirements before buying.

Q: Are there any fan-made mods I should try?
A: Yes, for the classic games, there are total conversions like Brutal Doom and Project Brutality that modernize the gameplay. For Eternal, there are not many mods, but there are some gameplay tweaks.

Bottom Line

If you want the closest experience to The Dark Ages in terms of story and modern gameplay, choose Doom Eternal. If you prefer a more accessible, straightforward shooter, go with Doom 2016. For a taste of the series’ roots, the classic collection is a must. And if you want something different, Doom 64 offers a unique atmosphere. Ultimately, you cannot go wrong with any of these—they are all excellent games that will keep you ripping and tearing.

Related

• Repair Bad Sectors: What You Can and Can’t Fix
• Same-Bar Fallback in AI: Keep Reliability Without Lowering Quality?
• AI Governance in Australia: What Businesses Need to Know