Let the Obsession begin. Again. This time, the entire forces of the netherworld have overrun Earth. To save her, you must descend into the stygian depths of Hell itself! Battle mightier, nastier, deadlier demons and monsters. Use more powerful weapons. Survive more mind-blowing explosions and more of the bloodiest, fiercest, most awesome blastfest ever!
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This game is basically an extension of the first one, so its good as is.
Comparing to the original/Ultimate DOOM, DOOM II is the objectively better experience, playing 95% the same as the original with the same engine/coding/enemies/mechanics as the original, with a few additions made that contribute to the game being objectively better since it just has more content with the same framework. Added in one additional weapon, the super shotgun, which attained legendary status alongside the BFG 9000, and four new enemy types. In the community's perspective, level design is shakier than the previous entry, making not as a complete cohesive experience, but in my opinion, the experimental levels to where they have succeeded in designing something new to DOOM II's sandbox heavily outweigh it's decidedly mid and bad levels, and I think some that are considered bad are harshly underrated, "Downtown" being one I will fight for as a cool attempt at trying out verticality and a non-linear approach not seen. The Icon of Sin being the final boss of the game is also a cool way to end the game, while not necessarily being an enemy you have to directly fight, while moreso being an extension of the level itself. Soundtrack is also a 10/10, while being surprised that there had been no legal action taken by metal groups and record labels for ripping off popular tracks from the time, there are original tracks in there too, which are also bangers. One other thing to consider too is the modding scene for DOOM, and since there is objectively more content in this game, it is the preferred framework to play for map packs and standalone experiences over the original, however some play around modding the original with intent of the "less is more" methodology and put out good content because of it. Overall, a game I will continue to go back to and replay for the rest of my life.
While the level design can be overtuned in terms of their labyrinth nature and overreliance on enemy ambushes, it's still classic DOOM at the end of the day. It's fun in that primal sense where you run around and sling slugs, rockets, bullets and giant plasma shots at Hell's population, and the addition of the Super Shotgun to the arsenal is very appreciated. I will say that if you disliked the final episode of DOOM 1 (Thy Flesh Consumed), this entry is not for you.
Everything great about the first game is carried over and cranked to 11, with map design that doesn't blow!
i hate this game so much it's unreal
The devious new monsters, larger hordes, and legendary Super Shotgun make Doom II's combat exquisite. The city levels in the mediocre middle act—some of which are outright sloppy—originally made this a 4-star rating, but my most recent pistol start playthrough has shot up my appreciation of the level design elsewhere considerably, bumping this up to a 5. I play through the Ultimate Doom way more, but the new additions (and its modding scene) earned DOOM2.WAD a permanent home on my hard drive.