Highlights
- Doom Eternal offers one of the best single-player campaigns with top-notch visuals and fast-paced run-and-gun gameplay.
- Fans of Doom Eternal can satisfy their slaying needs with alternative games like Quake 2 Remastered, Prodeus, and Turbo Overkill.
- These alternative games provide similar mechanics, speed, and violence, allowing players to switch off and indulge in satisfying gunplay and intense action.
With Doom Eternal, gamers get to experience one of the best single-player campaigns of this generation. The top-notch visuals and impeccable framerate have been designed to get the best out of their respective platform. Doom Eternal, like its predecessor, is a brutal shooter that does away with modern gameplay mechanics like cover shooting and stealth in favor of old-school run-and-gun.
There is still a great deal of emphasis on strategy and tactics in using the environment to take down enemies as efficiently as possible in adrenaline-inducing gunfights. Unfortunately, like all good single-player campaigns, they have to end, but there are some great alternatives for fans of Doom Eternal to satisfy their slaying needs.
Updated August 19, 2023, by Michael Llewellyn: Fans of the Doom series love the adrenaline-infused nature of the gunplay. It is fast-paced, gruesome, and violently satisfying. Few games can match the speed or the level of power fantasy the series provides. Mechanically, Doom is the opposite of methodical shooters like Ghost Recon or Rainbow Six. Instead of stealth, the Doom series forces players to think fast and react with skill and good timing. Even though Doom Eternal will remain the best for many players, that does not mean there are no viable alternatives. This list has been updated to include more great games like Doom Eternal.
21 Quake 2 Remastered
- Released: 2023
- Developer: id Software and Machine Games
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
Launching 26 years after the original Quake 2, the Quake 2 Remastered is a dream come true for fans of old-school shooters. It features 4K support, smoother gameplay, and cross-platform multiplayer. The remaster also includes more accessibility features to give it a modern sheen. Moreover, it has the original DLC, with The Reckoning, Ground Zero, and the Doom 64 missions. The remaster includes an expansion from iWolfenstein's Machine Games with 28 new levels.
20 Prodeus
- Released: 2022
- Developer: Bounding Box Software
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
After spending time in Early Access, retro-inspired shooter Prodeus launched in 2022. The game was inspired by the Doom and Quake titles from the 90s; it looks and feels similar to the Quake 2 Remastered and is perfect for fans of the classics and Doom Eternal.
Yet despite the retro aesthetic, Prodeus feels and plays like a modern Doom game with its gunplay, accessibility, speed, and rendering techniques. Fans of the classics will love Prodeus, but there is enough here to please fans of modern shooters too.
19 Turbo Overkill
- Released: 2023
- Developer: Trigger Happy Interactive
- Platform: PC
Turbo Overkill is another retro-inspired shooter that fans of Doom Eternal will love. Instead of demons and alien-like creatures, Turbo Overkill is a cyberpunk action shooter with similar mechanics, speed, and pacing to Doom. It even manages to outdo most of its inspirations with the amount of blood and gore on display with its creative and gruesome kills - the chainsaw leg mechanic is particularly memorable and fun to pull off.
Turbo Overkill plays like a mash-up of Doom, Quake, and the Serious Sam series. There is a more prominent emphasis on shooting and killing everything in sight than its inspirations. Turbo Overkill is a great way to switch off and conduct an orchestra of violence from start to finish.
18 Left 4 Dead 2
- Released: 2008
- Developer: Valve
- Platform: PC and Xbox 360
The second entry in the Left 4 Dead series capitalized on the influx of zombie films and games of the late 2000s and early 2010s. It is still a popular game with horror and action fans, with many still hoping for a proper sequel even after the launch of its spiritual successor, Back 4 Blood.
Although the game has a thoroughly enjoyable single-player campaign, the multiplayer modes made Left 4 Dead 2 stand out. The game was also highly regarded for its enemy variety which demands that players are on their toes as each comes with its strengths and weaknesses.
17 Unreal Tournament 3
- Released: 2007
- Developer: Epic Games
- Platform: PC, PS3, and Xbox 360
Developed by Epic Games, Unreal Tournament 3 was ahead of its time, especially for consoles, as it focused primarily on online play. Like the rest of the series, Unreal Tournament 3 adopts tried and trusted game modes like capture the flag and deathmatch.
One change from the previous iterations of the series is that the single-player campaign has a more in-depth story. Rather than being based around the Tournament Grand Championship like its preceding games, the single-player in Unreal Tournament 3 features a Necris attack on a human colony.
16 Back 4 Blood
- Released: 2021
- Developer: Turtle Rock Studios
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
As a spiritual successor to Left 4 Dead, Back 4 Blood was developed by the team that created the original co-op zombie shooter. As with its predecessor, Back 4 Blood does have a single-player element, but it is designed to be played as part of a team.
That said, the action and gunplay in Back 4 Blood are particularly satisfying, fast-paced, and violent - everything a fan of Doom could ask for. There is a good selection of weapons, and the undead monsters are gruesome.
15 Painkiller
- Released: 2004
- Developer: People Can Fly
- Platform: Android, iOS, PC, and Xbox
Released in April 2004, Painkiller is the oldest entry on this list. Polish developer People Can Fly teamed up with DreamCatcher Entertainment to release a Doom clone with an emotional story centered around the death of the protagonist and his wife.
The playable character, Daniel, must fight through hordes of monsters as he attempts to leave purgatory and join his wife in heaven. Like most games on this list, Painkiller has a multiplayer mode that features the classic modes Capture the Flag and Deathmatch.
14 Bioshock
- Released: 2007
- Developer: 2K Games
- Platform: iOS, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One
With an eye-watering score of 96, Bioshock is one of the highest-rated games on Metacritic. The beloved shooter from 2K Games has more of a survival horror element to it than the Doom series, as players struggle to stay alive amidst the threat of avoiding numerous enemies, such as the notorious Big Daddies.
Bioshock is more story-driven and immersive than the action-packed Doom series. Even so, Bioshock will appeal to Doom fans with its excellent FPS combat that requires a more tactical approach. However, players should still be prepared for some frantic and brutal battles against the residents of Rapture.
13 Titanfall 2
- Released: 2016
- Developer: Respawn Entertainment
- Platform: PC, PS4, and Xbox One
Developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by EA, the first Titanfall game had some excellent ideas but struggled to keep the interest of many players months after its launch. Titanfall 2 initially continued this trend of having a disappointing player base, as the game went under the radar potentially due to EA launching it just one week after Battlefield 1.
However, despite the slow start, Titanfall 2 gained more fans through constant word-of-mouth praise from active players, and the fast-paced shooter is still going strong today thanks to its excellent single-player and multiplayer modes.
12 Metro Exodus
- Released: 2019
- Developer: 4A Games
- Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S
Metro Exodus is a post-apocalyptic action horror game with an emphasis on survival. Its pacing and gunplay are very different from Doom Eternal, but the variety of hideous monsters and stunning visuals make it an experience that all FPS fans should consider.
The use of customized weapons and satisfying gunplay make Metro Exodus one of the best horror shooters available. Despite being a sequel, the player can jump into Metro: Exodus without feeling lost, as it serves as a solid introduction to the games and books.
11 Bulletstorm
- Released: 2011
- Developer: People Can Fly
- Platform: Nintendo Switch, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One
Developed by People Can Fly, the same studio that created Gears of War: Judgment and co-developed the first three games in the Gears series, Bulletstorm is unsurprisingly a violent and brutal first-person shooter that harks back to classic 90s shooters and action films.
Bulletstorm launched in 2011 but was remastered for the PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in 2017 and the Nintendo Switch in 2019. The game boasts an incredible arsenal of fantastically violent weapons that encourages players to get creative in the most hilariously sadistic ways possible.
10 Shadow Warrior 2
- Released: 2016
- Developer: Flying Wild Hog
- Platform: PC, PS4, and Xbox One
Released in 2016, Shadow Warrior 2 is an old-school shooter that can be played cooperatively or in a single player. It is a gory fast-paced shooter where players take control of an assassin that can kill and dismember his enemies.
Like Doom Eternal, Shadow Warrior is about taking down enemies as quickly and violently as possible. The weaponry, from blades to guns, is impressive and easily matches the pacing of Doom in the speed, blood, and guts department.
9 Quake 4
- Released: 2005
- Developer: Raven Software
- Platform: PC and Xbox 360
Released in 2005 for the PC and the Xbox 360 as a launch title, Quake 4 was built using the same engine – id Tech 4 – used in Doom 3. While the game was developed by a studio better known for their Call of Duty titles, Doom developers id Software oversaw the development of Quake 4.
Quake 4 is another lightning-fast science fiction horror shooter that feels and plays like it was born of the same DNA as the Doom series and is perfect for fans of that game.
8 Prey
- Released: 2006
- Developer: 3D Realms
- Platform: PC and Xbox 360
Prey launched in 2006 to critical claim. It was developed by 3D Realms and built on the Doom 3 engine. It is another science fiction horror shooter with a good campaign that is perfect for fans of the Doom series.
Prey is brutal and gory, with satisfying gameplay and shooting mechanics. The weapons in the game are inventive, with exploding crab-like creatures in place of grenades and other organic weapons that players can get disgustingly creative with.
7 Necromunda: Hired Gun
- Released: 2021
- Developer: Streum On Studio
- Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
Upon release, Necromunda: Hired Gun was not a hit with critics thanks to its bugs and some less-than-interesting side quests. Much of the game has been addressed, and the Warhammer 40K universe is immersive as a backdrop.
The gunplay is fast-paced and violent, with well-designed but linear levels. The protagonist is agile with wall-running, leaping large distances, and can call his cyborg combat dog into action and a good variety of weapons. It is heavily influenced by Titanfall 2 single-player campaign with gunplay similar to Prey 2006.
6 Serious Sam 3
- Released: 2011
- Developer: Croteam
- Platform: PC, PS3, PS4, Switch, Xbox 360, and Xbox One
Developed by the independent studio Croteam, Serious Sam 3 was first released on the PC with console ports to follow a year later. Stylistically the game is a nod to classic fast-paced 3D shooters and the classic B-movie action films released by Cannon in the 1980s.
The humor in the Serious Sam series can be hit or miss and will not resonate well with everyone, but the action is right up there with the Doom series. Fans of the Doom Slayer's antics will feel at home destroying waves of monstrous and demonic enemies like the Beheaded Kamikaze, Scrapjack, and the Beheaded Rocketeer - all of which would not look out of place in a Doom title.
5 Syndicate
- Released: 2012
- Developer: Starbreeze Studios
- Platform: PC, PS3, and Xbox 360
Released in 2012 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and the PC, Syndicate is a cyberpunk first-person shooter and a reboot of the classic real-time strategy series of the same name from the 1990s. While there are no demons, monsters, or other forms of hellspawn to deal with, the incredibly stylish, violent, and fast-paced gunplay makes Syndicate an easy recommendation.
Like Doom, the shooting mechanics are impactful, fast, and strategic so that only quick thinking prevails. Most importantly, the suped-up arsenal can despatch enemies in multiple gruesome ways and satisfy that same power fantasy that Doom Eternal Players crave.
4 The Darkness 2
- Released: 2012
- Developer: Digital Extremes
- Platform: PC, PS3, and Xbox 360
Released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and the PC in 2012, The Darkness 2 is the sequel to the 2007 hit first game developed by Starbreeze Studios. The Darkness 2 was created by a different studio Digital Extremes, and its approach to the gameplay is distinct from the first game. While the effort from Starbreeze fits into the action-adventure genre, The Darkness 2 is a pure shooting experience from start to finish.
Based on the comic book series of the same name, players take on the role of the demonically possessed mobster Jackie Estacado. The gunplay is solid, but the Darkness powers take center stage. Doom fans will undoubtedly appreciate the variety of ways he can tear his enemies limb from limb up in close and personal ways.
3 Wolfenstein The New Order and The New Colossus
- Released: 2014 and 2017
- Developer: Machine Games
- Platform: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One
Wolfenstein: The New Order and its sequel, The New Colossus, were released in 2014 and 2017, respectively. Thematically, Wolfenstein and Doom have several differences. There is more character development in Wolfenstein, and the level design is crafted to fit a variety of playing styles. The games implement stealth with brutal and satisfying takedowns.
Like Doom, however, Wolfenstein has a long lineage and an old-school feel. The games feature excellent replayability, epic boss battles, and a brutally sadistic combat system that Doom-slaying fans will love.
2 Killing Floor 2
- Released: 2016
- Developer: Tripwire Interactive
- Platform: PC, PS4, and Xbox One
Killing Floor 2 was launched on PC and PS4 with an Xbox port following a year later. Like Doom Eternal, it is a violent and bloody retro-style shooter that requires its players to fight strategically and react quickly to the waves of zombies and monsters trying to kill them.
The story is not anything to write home about, but for fans of the Doom series, this is par for the course they are in this for the fast-paced and gory action and the heavy metal soundtrack. Killing Floor 2 also brings its unique mechanics to the table with its character customization and co-op gameplay.