As a standalone game, DOOM 3 is honestly pretty solid. Released back in 2004, its graphics—while obviously dated now—were impressive for the time, especially considering it was competing with titles like Far Cry and GTA: San Andreas. So, from a historical perspective, you really can’t complain too much. What makes the current offering even more appealing is the price. For around $10, you’re getting DOOM 3, its expansion content, plus DOOM and DOOM II. That’s a great deal, especially if you want to dive into the roots of the franchise. I had a lot of fun revisiting the originals, and while DOOM 3 is slower-paced, I still found some enjoyment in it.

That said, DOOM 3 isn’t just a standalone title—it’s a DOOM game. And when you judge it within the franchise, things fall apart. Compared to what came before and after, DOOM 3 just doesn't hold up. It’s the only entry that leans heavily into survival horror instead of the fast, brutal, adrenaline-fueled action the series is known for. The pacing is sluggish, the enemy AI is lackluster, and overall, it just lacks that signature DOOM energy. The gameplay is linear, encounters feel repetitive, and there’s very little variety in mechanics. To be honest, the main reason I picked this up was to complete my DOOM collection. Unless that’s your motivation too, I wouldn’t recommend DOOM 3 to anyone trying to get into the franchise. If you want a true DOOM experience, skip this one and go straight to DOOM (2016).

As a standalone game, DOOM 3 is honestly pretty solid. Released back in 2004, its graphics—while obviously dated now—were impressive for the time, especially considering it was competing with titles like Far Cry and GTA: San Andreas. So, from a historical perspective, you really can’t complain too much. What makes the current offering even more appealing is the price. For around $10, you’re getting DOOM 3, its expansion content, plus DOOM and DOOM II. That’s a great deal, especially if you want to dive into the roots of the franchise. I had a lot of fun revisiting the originals, and while DOOM 3 is slower-paced, I still found some enjoyment in it. That said, DOOM 3 isn’t just a standalone title—it’s a DOOM game. And when you judge it within the franchise, things fall apart. Compared to what came before and after, DOOM 3 just doesn't hold up. It’s the only entry that leans heavily into survival horror instead of the fast, brutal, adrenaline-fueled action the series is known for. The pacing is sluggish, the enemy AI is lackluster, and overall, it just lacks that signature DOOM energy. The gameplay is linear, encounters feel repetitive, and there’s very little variety in mechanics. To be honest, the main reason I picked this up was to complete my DOOM collection. Unless that’s your motivation too, I wouldn’t recommend DOOM 3 to anyone trying to get into the franchise. If you want a true DOOM experience, skip this one and go straight to DOOM (2016).