The BEST Level in Every DOOM Game
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VOICE OVER: Ty Richardson
WRITTEN BY: Ty Richardson
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today, we're taking a look at the BEST Level in Every “DOOM” Game! The “DOOM” franchise has boasted a plethora of examples of fantastic level design. But which ones shine the most in each of the games? Our list includes E1M1: Hangar from "DOOM" (1993), Primary Excavation: Artifact Dig from "DOOM 3" (2004), the Terraformer from "DOOM 64" (1997), and more!
Script written by Ty Richardson
It’s extremely hard to think of a single level that isn’t anything below decent when discussing the original “DOOM”. They all bring something unique to the table with different visuals and layouts. E1M1, on the other hand, does everything that defines the series. It encourages exploration while also setting your expectations on how levels are going to be laid out. It teaches you to anticipate enemies in unexpected places, investigate those nooks and crannies that seem suspicious, and do so at whatever speed you wanna play at. Of course, it also helps to have that iconic tune playing the entire time, too.
“DOOM II” is arguably the hardest game in the franchise. Many levels end up becoming a massive labyrinth, and enemies are significantly more aggressive. The map before the Icon of Sin here stands as a true test of your skills as the Marine. Demons are crawling around every corner and can shoot you from halfway across the map. The constant teleporting can overwhelm and get you lost easily. To make things worse, you can’t move around a whole lot because of how narrow most of the rooms are. And yet, this obscene challenge has kept players coming back to it all these years later.
Yes, we will be talking about both portions of “Final DOOM” as separate entries. Of the levels in “TNT: Evilution”, we have to give the spotlight to the sixth map, “Open Season”. With a name like that, one has to wonder who is really hunting who? It’s a tough question to answer as you’re constantly finding tight rooms with a few explosive barrels as well as plenty of ambushes. Like a hunter, you’ll have to find ways to trick your prey while keeping your aim steady. Running and gunning this map is simply a bad idea, and it’s this concept that makes Open Season so enjoyable despite being somewhat antithetical to the “DOOM” formula.
Odyssey of Noises has been widely regarded as the most frustrating and difficult level in not just “The Plutonia Experiment'', but the entire “DOOM” franchise. We can’t blame them either! Odyssey of Noises is very much a level that feels like it's out to get you. The map is so expansive that it leaves you feeling completely vulnerable while demons get to shoot from afar. Like Open Season, you’re forced to pace yourself and figure out your vantage points. Know when it’s time to shoot and when it’s time to run like a madman. And of course, always anticipate an ambush!
The first level of “DOOM 64” does a great job at making players feel right at home, but the Terraformer is where Midway turns around and says, “This isn’t just another ‘DOOM’ - this is OUR ‘DOOM’!” Terraformer’s layout makes it clear how players should approach the rest of the game in contrast to the previous installments. Secrets are very well hidden, and the dark rooms force you to be on the edge of your seat, ready for the next enemy to pop out. It also tells you through a few puzzles that “DOOM 64” is going to require some speed and platforming skills in order to conquer it.
The problem with “DOOM 3” is that most of its levels are more focused on scaring the player or forcing them into an unexciting puzzle. That isn’t to say we’re putting the final level on here because “ugh, thank god it’s over”. On the contrary, Primary Excavation serves as a wonderful payoff. As a veteran player going in blind, you spend so much time in the game wondering how terrifying the Cyberdemon is going to look compared to all the other monsters. Turns out, he’s very terrifying in all of his polygonal glory. Final boss status aside, Primary Excavation also does an excellent job at putting pressure on the player with its small arena and limiting space. It’s like a slow dance with death!
The 2016 reboot had so many fantastic levels to choose from, but in the end, we have to go with Titan’s Realm. This was the level that showed us “DOOM” was back with a vengeance. For starters, the opening area looks like someone had made a heavy metal album come to life, and the only way to leave was to dive down the corpse’s mouth. Gross, but sick! From there, the environment tells you that you aren’t anywhere close to the UAC anymore - you are deep into the bowels of Hell, and the demons are ready to tear into you! Be prepared for lengthy fights!
The best levels in gaming make sure the player has understood the game’s mechanics and concepts before sending them into the aether. It’s why E1M1 is on this list, it’s why The Terraformer made this list, and it’s exactly why Doom Hunter Base makes this list. Doom Hunter Base makes it clear that you cannot play the rest of “Eternal” like you would any of the other games, and to ensure this, it requires a lot of aerial maneuvers for not just combat, but navigating the level in general. The way it's built forces you to know how to control your dashes, how to spot traps, and overall, how to maintain control of the fights. By the time you reach the dreaded Hunter itself, the level has done its job - you’re ready to rip and tear until it is done.
E1M1: Hangar
“DOOM” (1993)It’s extremely hard to think of a single level that isn’t anything below decent when discussing the original “DOOM”. They all bring something unique to the table with different visuals and layouts. E1M1, on the other hand, does everything that defines the series. It encourages exploration while also setting your expectations on how levels are going to be laid out. It teaches you to anticipate enemies in unexpected places, investigate those nooks and crannies that seem suspicious, and do so at whatever speed you wanna play at. Of course, it also helps to have that iconic tune playing the entire time, too.
The Living End
“DOOM II: Hell on Earth” (1994)“DOOM II” is arguably the hardest game in the franchise. Many levels end up becoming a massive labyrinth, and enemies are significantly more aggressive. The map before the Icon of Sin here stands as a true test of your skills as the Marine. Demons are crawling around every corner and can shoot you from halfway across the map. The constant teleporting can overwhelm and get you lost easily. To make things worse, you can’t move around a whole lot because of how narrow most of the rooms are. And yet, this obscene challenge has kept players coming back to it all these years later.
Open Season
“TNT: Evilution”Yes, we will be talking about both portions of “Final DOOM” as separate entries. Of the levels in “TNT: Evilution”, we have to give the spotlight to the sixth map, “Open Season”. With a name like that, one has to wonder who is really hunting who? It’s a tough question to answer as you’re constantly finding tight rooms with a few explosive barrels as well as plenty of ambushes. Like a hunter, you’ll have to find ways to trick your prey while keeping your aim steady. Running and gunning this map is simply a bad idea, and it’s this concept that makes Open Season so enjoyable despite being somewhat antithetical to the “DOOM” formula.
Odyssey of Noises
“The Plutonia Experiment”Odyssey of Noises has been widely regarded as the most frustrating and difficult level in not just “The Plutonia Experiment'', but the entire “DOOM” franchise. We can’t blame them either! Odyssey of Noises is very much a level that feels like it's out to get you. The map is so expansive that it leaves you feeling completely vulnerable while demons get to shoot from afar. Like Open Season, you’re forced to pace yourself and figure out your vantage points. Know when it’s time to shoot and when it’s time to run like a madman. And of course, always anticipate an ambush!
The Terraformer
“DOOM 64” (1997)The first level of “DOOM 64” does a great job at making players feel right at home, but the Terraformer is where Midway turns around and says, “This isn’t just another ‘DOOM’ - this is OUR ‘DOOM’!” Terraformer’s layout makes it clear how players should approach the rest of the game in contrast to the previous installments. Secrets are very well hidden, and the dark rooms force you to be on the edge of your seat, ready for the next enemy to pop out. It also tells you through a few puzzles that “DOOM 64” is going to require some speed and platforming skills in order to conquer it.
Primary Excavation: Artifact Dig
“DOOM 3” (2004)The problem with “DOOM 3” is that most of its levels are more focused on scaring the player or forcing them into an unexciting puzzle. That isn’t to say we’re putting the final level on here because “ugh, thank god it’s over”. On the contrary, Primary Excavation serves as a wonderful payoff. As a veteran player going in blind, you spend so much time in the game wondering how terrifying the Cyberdemon is going to look compared to all the other monsters. Turns out, he’s very terrifying in all of his polygonal glory. Final boss status aside, Primary Excavation also does an excellent job at putting pressure on the player with its small arena and limiting space. It’s like a slow dance with death!
Titan’s Realm
“DOOM” (2016)The 2016 reboot had so many fantastic levels to choose from, but in the end, we have to go with Titan’s Realm. This was the level that showed us “DOOM” was back with a vengeance. For starters, the opening area looks like someone had made a heavy metal album come to life, and the only way to leave was to dive down the corpse’s mouth. Gross, but sick! From there, the environment tells you that you aren’t anywhere close to the UAC anymore - you are deep into the bowels of Hell, and the demons are ready to tear into you! Be prepared for lengthy fights!
Doom Hunter Base
“DOOM Eternal” (2020)The best levels in gaming make sure the player has understood the game’s mechanics and concepts before sending them into the aether. It’s why E1M1 is on this list, it’s why The Terraformer made this list, and it’s exactly why Doom Hunter Base makes this list. Doom Hunter Base makes it clear that you cannot play the rest of “Eternal” like you would any of the other games, and to ensure this, it requires a lot of aerial maneuvers for not just combat, but navigating the level in general. The way it's built forces you to know how to control your dashes, how to spot traps, and overall, how to maintain control of the fights. By the time you reach the dreaded Hunter itself, the level has done its job - you’re ready to rip and tear until it is done.
