Top Doom Alternatives for First-Person Shooter Fans
Doom, the iconic science fiction horror-themed first-person shooter, plunged players into a visceral battle against demonic hordes as the legendary "Doomguy." Originally posted to Mars after an incident involving civilians, "Doomguy" finds himself at the heart of a Union Aerospace Corporation experiment gone catastrophically wrong, unleashing hellish creatures from interdimensional gateways. While the original Doom (1993), Doom II: Hell on Earth (1994), and later iterations like Doom 3 and the more recent reboots have cemented its place in gaming history, many players seek fresh experiences or similar adrenaline-pumping action. If you're looking for an excellent Doom alternative, you've come to the right place.
Best Doom Alternatives
Whether you crave fast-paced arena combat, deep sci-fi narratives, or simply more demon-slaying fun, a plethora of games offer compelling experiences akin to Doom. Let's dive into some of the best alternatives that deliver on the promise of thrilling first-person shooter action.
Half-Life
Half-Life is a revolutionary first-person shooter series by Valve, renowned for its groundbreaking storytelling and advanced game technology. Available on Commercial, Mac, Windows, Linux, Steam, and Playstation, it offers a compelling single-player, sci-fi shooting experience from a first-person perspective, making it a strong narrative-driven Doom alternative.
Xonotic
Xonotic is a free and open-source (GPL) first-person arena shooter that provides fast-paced, addictive gameplay across Windows, OS X, Linux, BSD, and PortableApps.com. Its focus on competitive multiplayer and customizable options, built with OPENGL, positions it as an excellent open-source Doom alternative for fans of pure arena action.
Quake
Quake, from id Software, is a foundational first-person shooter series known for its maze-like, medieval-themed environments and intense combat. Available on Commercial, Mac, Windows, Linux, and Steam, Quake delivers a gaming experience rich in first-person shooter mechanics and sci-fi elements, serving as a direct spiritual successor and great Doom alternative for classic FPS enthusiasts.
Borderlands
Borderlands fuses first-person shooter action with role-playing game elements, setting players on a futuristic, Wild West-inspired planet. This commercial title is available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Steam, Playstation, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox, offering a unique blend of single-player and multiplayer shooting with RPG progression, making it a distinct yet engaging Doom alternative for those who enjoy loot and character building.
AssaultCube
AssaultCube is a free, multiplayer first-person shooter built on the CUBE engine, featuring fast-paced, arcade gameplay in realistic environments. Available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and PortableApps.com, it provides both single-player and multiplayer shooting action, making it a accessible and portable Doom alternative for quick, intense matches.
OpenArena
OpenArena is a community-driven, free and open-source deathmatch FPS based on GPL idTech3 technology, supporting various game types like Free For All and Capture The Flag. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it's a fantastic free-to-play multiplayer first-person shooter, embodying the spirit of classic arena shooters as a robust open-source Doom alternative.
Mafia
The Mafia series is a collection of action-adventure games known for their compelling stories and third-person perspective shooting. Available commercially on Mac, Windows, Steam, Playstation, and Xbox, it offers a single-player shooting experience, providing a narrative-rich alternative to Doom for those who prefer an immersive story and a different perspective.
GZDoom
GZDoom is a free and open-source enhanced port of the original Doom engine, designed for modern operating systems like Windows, Linux, and OS X. While not an entirely new game, it vastly improves the classic Doom experience by adding new features and modding capabilities, making it the ultimate Doom alternative for those who want to play the classics with modern conveniences.
Zandronum
Zandronum is a free and open-source multiplayer-focused port based on Skulltag, for Doom and Doom II. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it modernizes classic Doom with features like multiplayer, online-gaming, and free-to-play options, making it a fantastic Doom alternative for those seeking enhanced online experiences with the original game's engine.
Dead Space
Dead Space is a survival horror third-person shooter that plunges players into a terrifying sci-fi setting. Available commercially on Windows, Linux, and Wine, it offers a chilling single-player experience. While a third-person game, its intense horror atmosphere and shooting mechanics make it a compelling Doom alternative for those who enjoy a darker, more suspenseful approach to sci-fi action.
Whether you're looking for classic arena shooters, narrative-driven experiences, or modernized versions of Doom itself, this list provides a comprehensive range of Doom alternatives. Explore these options to find the perfect game that fits your craving for intense first-person action and thrilling adventures!