Prepare yourself for some mayhem, because DOOM is back. After a 12-year drought without a full-fledged entry in the franchise’s main story, one of the most beloved first-person shooters of all time has returned to remind everyone of just how badass gaming can be.

Fashioned as a “reboot,” DOOM’s approach is similar to that of previous DOOM games. In this one, you play as an unnamed marine on Mars who is tasked with killing off hordes of demons, which have made their way to the red planet. There are machinations behind the scenes, however, and it is left up to you to make sure the bootprint you leave in these monstrosities’ behinds is the final one that will send them back to hell for good, or at least until the next DOOM game. There are some interesting hints regarding the background of the character you play, and fans of the series will enjoy sinking their teeth into how this background enriches the overarching narrative.

DOOM brings the pulse-pounding and chaotic energy you would expect it to. The modes of difficulty range from “I’m Too Young to Die” (easy) to “Ultra Nightmare,” which is apparently so intense that it has to be unlocked to be played. DOOM certainly can be tricky at times, but its standard difficulty level – “Hurt Me Plenty” – is not too overbearing and one most gamers will find manageable. But be forewarned: Things get crazy quick, and they just keep getting crazier. More often than not, you will find yourself swarmed by your demonic foes and on the brink of death. Blasting (or blowing up) one of your enemies will often reward you with the opportunity to replenish your health, and you will most definitely need it. The up-close-and-personal combat gets gnarly, especially with the “glory kills,” a hands-on approach that always gets the job done. Add in the haunted house effect for the creepy element, and what you have is a survival horror game that forgoes all the tedious puzzles and headaches.

For all the fast-paced action that takes place in DOOM, the gameplay itself is mostly seamless. There are times when the screen may freeze up when the action gets really hot, but in this go-round, it didn’t become a repetitive problem. Moments when you die after swearing you had snatched up that health replenishment just in time can become frustrating and confusing, but chances are you won’t even notice since everything happens so fast. (These minions from hell keep up on their cardio and are quick.)

It may sound like DOOM is a standard shoot-’em-up that you’ll blaze through. And, for the most part, it is. But it’s fun. Plus, there is the Snap-Map level editor capability that allows you to create your own playable map sets and gameplay rules, helping to make DOOM a worthy entry to the classic series and one that will have you going back to play again and again.

For more, visit doom.com.

By Jason Savio