Summary
TheDOOMseries has been a high-profile franchise since the original installment in 1993. While not the first first-person shooter game,DOOMushered the genre into the mainstreamin brilliant, gory fashion. Since its debut in the early 1990s,DOOMhas spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs, as well as films, books, and many other forms of media. Naturally, the story ofDOOMhas branched off into numerous directions, creating its own universe of lore in which the Doomguy has been reimagined many times over.WithDOOM: Dark Agesrecently announced,now is a great time to get the story straight.
If excluding all media outside of the video games,DOOMessentially has three core timelines. Of course, each timeline is packed full of blood-hungry hellions, but how the Doomguy is portrayed, as well as his backstory, changes vastly with each. Another factor that differs in each timeline is why the space marine is on Mars in the first place. From mad scientists and corporate villains to cosmic battles between the angelic and demonic, the space marine has truly seen it all.Get ready to go to Hell and backas we examine the three main timelines of theDOOMgames.
DOOM: The Dark Ages Official Trailer
Announcing DOOM: The Dark Ages in a trailer revealed at Xbox Games Showcase, June 2024. Wishlist on Xbox GamePass, Xbox Series X|S, PC or PlayStation.
The Original DOOM Timeline
The Timeline That Started It All
In the originalDOOM, an unnamed space marine toils on Mars and its moons for the UAC (Union Aerospace Corporation). The marine was stationed there as punishment for assaulting a senior officer after refusing an order to harm unarmed civilians. On the surface of Mars and its moons, Deimos and Phobos, the UAC conducts clandestine experiments regarding interdimensional travel. Disregarding safety measures, Hell literally breaks loose when the UAC’s experiments accidentally open a rift in dimensions, allowing the denizens of Hell to escape into humanity’s reality. Carnage ensues, and the Doomguy travels to Hell itself to crush the invading hordes.
According to Tom Hall and John Romero, the original DOOM Marine was the grandson of Commander Keen and great-grandson of William J. Blazkowicz, though this may not be canon in the modern version.
The sequel,DOOM II: Hell on Earth, sees Doomguy return to Earth only to find his homeworld invaded by demonic forces. Much of humanity has been destroyed, with a few fortified cities housing the few living that remain. The game features the space marine blasting his way through various suburban and urban locations as he hunts for the source of the infernal siege. In the game’s climax, Doomguy encounters the “Icon of Sin,” an immensely powerful demonic entity responsible for the invasion of Earth. After a brutal battle, Doomguy is victorious, ending Hell’s threat to Earth for the time being.
1996’sFinal DOOMexpands the lore of the original two games with a pair of new storylines, “TNT: Evilution” and “The Plutonia Experiment.” The UAC has established a new base on Io, one of Jupiter’s moons. Things, once again, go awry, and the armies of Hell pour into the human realm. The timeline comes to its bloody conclusion in 1997’sDOOM 64, in which a retired Doomguy is called back into action to defeat the forces of Hell for good. After defeating the Mother Demon in the game’s climax,Doomguy elects to remain in Hell to prevent further demonic invasions.
Screen Rantinterviewed John Romero, co-creator of theDoomseries, about his new book.
DOOM 3 Is A Timeline All Its Own
DOOM 3 Reimagines The Original Doom
DOOM3is an interesting installment in that its timeline begins and ends within a single game. Whereas the games before it were fast-paced shooters, 2004’sDOOM 3leaned into the horror elements of the franchise,placing more emphasis on atmosphere and survival.Rather than a purely demonic final boss, the game’s main antagonist is the corrupt Dr. Betruger, who transforms into a demonic specter, Maledict, by the game’s end.DOOM 3distinguishes itself from other entries in the series by pondering the ethics of science run amok, primarily through the actions of Dr. Betruger, whose work disregards human life.
The DOOMReboot Timeline Fleshes Out The Protagonist & His Mission
DOOM 2016 Re-introduces Doomguy
The reboot ofDOOMin 2016 sees the series continue the story of Doomguy. Gaining the title of “Doom Slayer,” the protagonistwas sealed away in a sarcophagus for centuries, only to be awakened by the UAC in their Mars facility. The UAC’s Dr. Olivia Pierce is attempting to harness the energy of Hell in an effort to solve an energy crisis on Earth. However, she allows the hordes of Hell to invade our reality, and once again, the Doom Slayer must crush these otherworldly invaders to ensure humanity’s ultimate salvation.
DOOMEternalpicks up after the events ofDOOM(2016), and once again, demons have overrun Earth. However, what distinguishesDOOM Eternalfrom its predecessors is how it builds out the backstory of the Doom Slayer, a character that has largely remained one-dimensional in most prior titles. Numerous elements are introduced that enrich the game’s story, such as the Seraphim, the Sentinels, and the Divinity Machine.The Doom Slayer is recruited by the Sentinels of the dimension Argent D’Nur, another realm fallen under demonic invasion. Through the use of the Divinity Machine, the Doom Slayer is transformed into a near-immortal.
DOOM: The Dark Ages Will Expand The Backstory Of The Doom Slayer
DOOM Dark Ages Acts As A Prequel To DOOM (2016) & DOOM Eternal
WithDOOM: Dark Agesofficially announcedat the recent Xbox Summer Showcase, the little that is known about the upcoming prequel seems to promise a deep exploration of the Doom Slayer’s ancient origins. Placed in a medieval setting, the series protagonist fights Hell’s legions withan incredible arsenal of weapons inDark Ages.Most notable are the Shield Saw and the Skull Crusher, a gun that chews up the skulls of the dead and fires out lethal bone chips at enemies. Perhaps the boldest addition thatDark Agesbrings to the table is mech warfare, a first for the series.
DOOM Eternal Review: Let The Giblets Hit The Floor
DOOM Eternal is to DOOM 2016 what the Brutal DOOM mod is to the original, and if it wasn’t for the lack of multiplayer options it would be perfect.
For decades, Doomguy was little more than a vessel for carnage. While the originalDOOMtitles are still a blast even today,the added depth of the space marine’s backstory has made the reboot that much more engaging.DOOM: Dark Ageswas a highlight of the Xbox Showcase, and iD Software seems poised to take the series in exciting new directions. Whether it’s in an industrial facility on the surface of Mars or an ancient medieval castle, crushing demons will never stop being fun. The various timelines of theDOOMseries only become more exciting to explore with each iteration.
Editors Note: The original version of this article incorrectly stated that the 2016 continuation of the DOOM franchise was a different version of the original Doomguy, Beast, Doom Slayer, DOOM Marine, or the other variations and aliases the protagonist has had over the franchise’s history, but he is actually the same character from the original trilogy. The article has since been amended.
