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14 Best Games Like Doom To Keep Your Trigger Finger Busy in 2026

The best games like Doom don’t just copy the shotgun and sprint.

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The best games like Doom don’t just copy the shotgun and sprint. They hit the same rhythm.

Fast weapons, mean arenas, heavy music in your chest. I grew up on ’90s shooters and still chase that pace, so I went back through the classics and the new blood to see what still rips.

After a lot of headshots and reloads, I’ve got a tight list. Some lean into story, others stick to pure boomer-shooter aggression. All of them bring the speed and bite that make Doom sing. Fourteen picks. Zero filler. Let’s hunt.

Our Top Picks for Games Like Doom

Some shooters still manage to hit that Doom rhythm: speed, aggression, and fights that reward clean movement and sharp aim. These three channel that energy while doing their own thing.

Prey

IMMERSIVE SIM

Smart horror-sci-fi on Talos I. Mimic paranoia, GLOO Cannon creativity, and a toolkit that lets you solve problems with brains or brute force. Tight systems with real payoffs.

Wolfenstein: The New Order

FPS

Brutal gunplay with dual-wield carnage, stealth-or-assault routes, perk unlocks, and an alt-history campaign built around sharp set pieces and strong character beats.

Painkiller

FPS

Pure arena carnage. Bunny-hop speed, the stake gun’s perfect thud, and boss fights built for movement and control. No filler, just flow.

If that trio hits, keep going. My full list of best games like Doom digs into eleven more picks that carry the same pace and punch in their own style.

14 Best Games Like Doom to Feed Your Shotgun

I picked these for speed, brutal gunfeel, and arenas that beg you to sprint. Some push story, others go full boomer-shooter, but all hit that Doom rhythm. Below, I break down why each one works, where it shines, and which to play first when you need pure, blistering momentum.

Prey

Best Sci‑Fi Horror Shooter

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  • Type of game
  • Immersive sim, first‑person shooter with survival horror elements
  • PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  • Creators
  • Arkane Austin, Bethesda Softworks
  • Average playtime
  • Around 16 hours for the main story, 25+ for completionists
  • What I liked
  • Creative abilities, atmospheric level design, and freedom to approach combat puzzles
  • Arkane’s

Prey

  • reimagines the
  • Doom

formula as a tense sci‑fi mystery. You wake up on a space station overrun by shadowy aliens, with the freedom to explore at your own pace. The core loop mixes shooting with immersive‑sim mechanics:

you can mimic objects, hack terminals, or use glue cannons to create paths.

This flexibility encourages experimentation and makes every fight a new experience. Visual design leans into retro‑futurism, and the eerie soundtrack keeps you on edge. In my latest playthrough, I loved using the GLOO Cannon to create makeshift platforms and uncover hidden areas.

Why we chose it I loved Prey’s ability to fuse slow‑burn horror with frantic gunplay. The creative power system boosts player agency without sacrificing tension. My playthroughs also showed that no two fights feel the same. It’s truly one of the most underrated games for Doom fans looking for a cerebral twist.

The developers balanced pacing by mixing horror with power fantasy;

once you unlock alien powers, the combat opens up in satisfying ways. Performance is solid on all platforms, and the PC version dishes out high frame rates on modest hardware. Completionists will appreciate environmental storytelling and numerous side quests that deepen the narrative.

My Verdict:

Prey

remains one of the strongest Doom ‑like experiences thanks to its rich storytelling and freedom‑of‑choice combat. It’s ideal for players who want atmosphere with their action.

Wolfenstein: The New Order

Best Cinematic Shooter

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  • Type of game
  • Story‑driven first‑person shooter
  • PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
  • Creators
  • MachineGames, Bethesda Softworks
  • Average playtime
  • 15-20 hours for the main story
  • What I liked
  • Superb narrative, weighty gunplay, satisfying stealth options
  • MachineGames revived the
  • Wolfenstein
  • franchise with a gripping alternate‑history campaign. In
  • The New Order
  • ,
  • you wage war against a technologically advanced regime in huge set‑piece battles

.

Gunfights are crunchy and visceral, with dual‑wielding mechanics letting you mow down enemies like the Doomslayer.

Stealth is a viable option too, and balancing stealth with all‑guns‑blazing keeps gameplay varied. It’s on our list of the best first-person shooters on Xbox for a reason.

Why we chose it I chose The New Order for its blend of explosive combat and heartfelt storytelling. During my sessions, I found myself genuinely caring about the characters, which is rare in a genre dominated by gunplay. The game strikes a balance between cinematic narrative and pure shooter fun.

The narrative stands out:

characters are memorable, and the story tackles themes of resistance and sacrifice without over‑romanticizing war. On PC and modern consoles, the game runs smooth at high resolutions, though last‑gen versions can have occasional frame dips. Replayability comes from collectibles and alternate narrative choices.

My Verdict:

With robust gun mechanics and an unexpectedly touching story,

Wolfenstein: The New Order

is the perfect pick for players who want a Doom ‑like shooter anchored by a strong narrative.

Painkiller [Best Doom-like Reboot of a Cult Classic]

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  • Type of game
  • Arena FPS, action horror
  • PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
  • Creator/s
  • Anshar Studios, 3D Realms
  • Average playtime
  • Around 10 hours for the main story, around 30 to 100%
  • What I liked
  • Grapple-dash movement, co-op that actually feeds the arena flow, tarot builds, modernized stakegun feel, Rogue Angel mode for repeat runs
  • The 2025

Painkiller

  • is a reimagining, not a museum piece. When I think,
  • great games with guns

, it’s always among the very best.

You’re back in Purgatory – gothic halls, titanic bosses, and a clear job: erase Azazel’s army and earn a shot at redemption. The difference is how it plays. Movement now has jump, dash, and a grapple that lets you sling through arenas and stay airborne while lining up shots.

The classic power curve returns via tarot cards, only now they’re tuned around co-op synergies and short, high-intensity arenas. And yes, the stakegun still lands with that mean thunk, backed by shotguns, rockets, and the electrodriver – modernized effects without losing that crunchy feedback.

Why we chose it

It keeps Painkiller’s soul with fast arenas, obscene weapons, and grotesque bosses, while adding modern mobility, build depth, and short-session co-op that actually serves the combat loop. It’s the first reboot that feels built for 2025 without sanding off the series’ bite.

Structure is split between a story campaign and Rogue Angel, a co-op roguelike variant built from handcrafted, randomized arenas. It’s three-player online (cross-platform supported), fast resets, and gear paths that push different team comps – peel for the grappler, burst for the finisher, sustain for boss phases.

Compared to the 2004 game, this one cuts dead air and leans into readable, replayable fights with traversal that keeps you moving instead of circle-strafing in place. Previews questioned solo bot quality and impact feel in early builds, but the launch tuning promises tighter hit reactions and cleaner collision.

My Verdict:

This reboot gives

Painkiller

its bite back. Grapple-dash movement, tarot builds, and short, readable arenas keep every fight focused. The stakegun feels mean again, bosses hit harder, and Rogue Angel co-op adds real replay. The story is light, and solo is less sharp, but the combat loop wins. I’m keeping it installed.

Serious Sam 4

Best Doom-Like Horde Shooter

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  • Type of game
  • Fast‑paced shooter, horde shooter
  • PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
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  • Croteam, Devolver Digital
  • Average playtime
  • Around 10 hours for the main campaign, 15-20 hours to 100%
  • What I liked
  • Massive enemy counts, varied weapon arsenal, co‑op support

Serious Sam 4

is unapologetically bombastic.

It sends wave after wave of monsters at you, forcing you to weave between projectiles while firing on all cylinders. Levels are large and open, so you’ll have plenty of room to circle‑strafe and kite enemies.

The game shines in co‑op mode, where coordinating power‑ups and heavy weapons brings chaotic fun. Whenever I played the campaign, I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face while blasting through hundreds of enemies.

Why we chose it I picked

Serious Sam 4

for its scale. Few games match the sheer number of enemies on screen. During my testing, I loved the adrenaline rush of dodging headless kamikazes while juggling multiple weapons.

Graphically, the PC version pushes high frame rates if you have the hardware; performance on consoles is respectable but can dip during the busiest moments. Players looking for a thoughtful story should look elsewhere; this game is about reflexes and mayhem. If that’s your jam,

Serious Sam 4

is your arena.

My Verdict:

For pure horde‑shooting fun,

Serious Sam 4

is hard to beat. It’s perfect when you need stress relief through digital carnage.

Shadow Warrior

Best Mix of Swords and Guns

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  • Type of game
  • First‑person shooter with melee combat
  • Originally DOS, modern ports on PC, PS4
  • Creators
  • 3D Realms, Westlake Technologies
  • Average playtime
  • 10-15 hours for the main campaign, 36-50 for 100%/Platinum
  • What I liked
  • Katana‑gun combat, self‑aware humor, upgrade system

This reboot blends fast gunplay with slick sword fighting.

You play as Lo Wang, slicing demons with a katana one moment and blasting them the next. The combat system encourages stylish combos and constant movement. Humor plays a big role; the protagonist quips throughout the campaign to add some levity to the gore.

Why we chose it Sword‑and‑gun gameplay sets

Shadow Warrior

apart. I enjoyed mastering katana parries and then seamlessly switching to a shotgun. The second installment even ended up on our list of the best samurai games, of all places. The humor may not hit for everyone, but the combat variety earned it a spot on my list.

The game’s upgrade system lets you tailor abilities to your playstyle, from increasing bullet damage to unlocking magical powers. Graphics still hold up on modern PCs and consoles, and there’s a remastered edition with improved textures. If you enjoy melee mixed with mayhem, this one’s for you.

My Verdict:

Shadow Warrior

offers flashy combat and a tongue‑in‑cheek tone. It’s great for players who like their Doom clones with a splash of samurai.

Project Warlock

Best Spell‑Slinging Shooter

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  • Type of game
  • FPS with RPG elements
  • PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
  • Creators
  • Buckshot Software, Retrovibe, App Global Ltd, Crunching Koalas
  • Average playtime
  • Around 6.5 hours for the main story, up to 14 to 100%
  • What I liked
  • 60 compact levels, upgrade system, mix of magic and guns

Project Warlock

  • packs
  • 60 bite‑sized levels across five episodes

, each with its own aesthetic and enemies.

Combat blends guns with magic spells, which allows you to swap from shotguns to fireballs on the fly.

I enjoyed switching between firearms and lightning bolts mid‑fight because it added variety and kept me thinking on my toes. The RPG‑like progression system lets you upgrade stats and unlock perks, giving the game a sense of growth.

Why we chose it I was impressed by how

Project Warlock

manages to feel fresh despite its retro roots. Mixing spells with guns adds strategic depth. The short levels make it perfect for quick sessions.

The pixel art style is crisp and colorful, and the soundtrack channels ‘90s shooter vibes. Some players may find the levels too short, but the constant variety prevents fatigue. Controls are tight on PC and consoles, though mouse aim feels best.

My Verdict:

This indie gem offers a creative twist on the old‑school shooter. If you like customizing your hero and experimenting with spells,

Project Warlock

deserves a spot on your playlist.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood

Best Co‑Op DOOM-Like Adventure

Our Score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Type of game Co‑op first‑person shooter PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch Creators MachineGames & Arkane Studios (developers), Bethesda Softworks (publisher)

Average playtime 12-15 hours for a typical run, 25-30 to 100% What I liked Co‑op missions, light RPG progression, fluid shooting Set two decades after The New Order, this spin‑off puts you in the shoes of BJ Blazkowicz’s twin daughters.

Youngblood emphasizes co‑operative play: you can team up with a friend or an AI partner to take down targets across an open‑ended map.

I enjoyed exploring Paris with my co‑op partner and using special abilities to flank bosses.

Combat is familiar to series veterans, with modern weapons and dual‑wielding returning. It’s certainly not among the best Wolfenstein games, but I don’t agree it’s the worst either. It looks and runs better than its predecessors, and I truly enjoyed it for what it is.

Why we chose it I included Youngblood for players who want Doom ‑like action with a friend. During my sessions, coordinating abilities and flanking enemies felt satisfying. It’s not perfect, but co‑op adds replay value.

While the narrative isn’t as impactful, the co‑op mechanics encourage teamwork and exploration. The RPG progression system lets you unlock abilities and customize loadouts, which adds extra depth. Performance across platforms is stable, though some players criticize enemy bullet sponginess.

My Verdict:

Wolfenstein: Youngblood

isn’t a narrative powerhouse, but it shines in co‑op. Grab a buddy and enjoy fast gunplay with RPG progression.

My Verdict on the Best Games Like Doom

Doom -likes come in different flavors: speed, spectacle, pure carnage, or smart systems. Here’s where I’d start, based on how you like to rip through a level:

For Systems-Driven Shooter Fans >

Prey

. Tool-first combat, creative routes, and powers that turn every room into a puzzle you can break wide open.

For Campaign Diehards >

Wolfenstein: The New Order

. Weighty gunplay, sharp set pieces, and an alt-history story that actually earns the big moments.

For Arena Purists > Painkiller (2025). Grapple-dash movement, mean stakegun feedback, short arenas that reward clean lines and ruthless target priority.

For Horde Crushers >

Serious Sam 4

. Wide-open kill fields, enemy mixers that force constant repositioning, and a gun roster built for absurd crowd control.

For Quick Movers >

Quake

. Air control, strafe jumps, and weapons that reward timing over spray. The blueprint for speed with zero filler.

Different routes to the same high: fast decisions, loud payoffs, and fights you feel in your hands. Start with the lane that fits you, then sample the rest.

FAQs What is the best game like Doom?

The best game like Doom is

Prey

. It blends fast-paced shooting with immersive sim mechanics, letting you explore a space station overrun by aliens while using creative powers and tools to tackle combat and puzzles in multiple ways.

What Makes a Game Similar to Doom?

Doom -like games are all about speed, aggressive gunplay, and sharp movement. Chunky weapons with clear roles, arena-style fights, and enemies that push you forward instead of hiding. Tight level flow, secrets, and quick resets after death. Style varies (horror, sci-fi, retro), but the rhythm stays: move, aim, commit, repeat.

Are There Doom‑Like Games on Nintendo Switch?

Yes, there are Doom ‑like shooters on Nintendo Switch, such as

DUSK

,

Quake

, and Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary. They run well and capture that retro shooter feel.

Which Doom‑Style Games Have Co‑Op Modes?

Games like

Serious Sam 4

,

Wolfenstein: Youngblood

, and

Blood: Fresh Supply

let you play co‑op. You can team up with friends to blast through campaigns or survival modes.

Are There Free Games Like Doom?

Very few games are completely free, though some indie shooters offer demos or prologues. You can download them to see if the game’s worth buying for you. Also, some platforms do occasional giveaways that include old or retro titles similar to Doom.

Do Doom‑Like Games Require a Powerful PC?

Usually no. Mos t Doom -likes run on modest GPUs and even laptops. Modern reboots benefit from a mid-range card and SSD. Aim for 60+ fps. Drop resolution scale, shadows, and post-processing first. CPU matters in big hordes. If in doubt, try demos or the Steam refund window.

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