Entertainment

Games: Second reboot of Doom a long time coming

Doom – it ain't deep, but that's kind of the point
Doom – it ain't deep, but that's kind of the point Doom – it ain't deep, but that's kind of the point

Doom (Multi)

DOOM is 23 years old – yes, we're that grizzled. Id Software, who single-handedly created the modern shooter with Wolfenstein, followed up their Nazi-blaster with a splatterific sci-fi that ushered in a golden era of chainsawing aliens in the face.

The second reboot of the franchise has been a long time coming, in the interim spawning 2006's schlocky, colossal misfire of a movie. But just as they gussied up Wolfenstein in fine style with 2014's New Order, Doom is finally back, with much of what defined the series' heyday – over-the-top action, hordes of hellspawn to slaughter, ridiculous weapons and buckets of gore.

With none of the cut-scene heavy narrative or character development of its lily-livered peers, Doom prefers instead to simply kick butt and take names. It ain't deep, but that's kind of the point, with trigger-giddy point n' shoot action against hulking bullet sponges.

And while at heart a run-and-gun shooter, what Doom lacks in innovation, it more than makes up for with technical bravado, jaw-dropping design and buttery smooth gameplay.

Building on the single player chops honed with the Wolfenstein reboot, unloading buckshot into imps is a joy – and even more horrifying than before with a gut-churning cast of demons to dispatch.

Playing out like Rambo in hell, it swings a high-octane punch at hardcore gamers, rammed with secrets, nods to the original (every mission hides a classic map) and weapon and armour upgrades.

Players are a lot more agile than before, with parkour skills allowing you to grab ledges mid-air and gambol through maps on bounce pads, while there's a suitably groaning arsenal of weapons to discover.

Guns feel pleasingly beefy, with plenty of kickback as they cut a swathe through Satan's succubi, and with no regenerating health, players must execute enemy-specific Glory Kills to earn their fettle.

You can, of course, blow your mates into steaklets online, though Doom's multiplayer is undoubtedly more vanilla in this day and age, where Cod and Halo have raised the game.

Better still is the impressive SnapMap, where players can create their own levels – a surprisingly well-appointed addition, playing out like a maleficent Mario Maker. For nippy, bloat-free action, Doom does exactly what it says on the tin, with a blockbusting combination of blistering action and gooey monsters.

High art this is not, but for unbridled, first person carnage, Doom is like manna from hell.