Final Doom vs. Doom 2: Untangling the Twisted Afterlife
No, Final Doom is not the same as Doom 2. While Final Doom uses the Doom 2 engine and level structure, it is a compilation of two entirely new, standalone episodes called TNT: Evilution and The Plutonia Experiment. These episodes feature completely different levels, textures, and even new story elements, distinguishing them as separate entities from the original Doom 2 experience. Think of it like this: Doom 2 is the core game, while Final Doom is a pair of expansive level packs that require that core game to run but offer a dramatically different gameplay experience.
Deep Dive into Doom and Final Doom
To truly understand the relationship between Final Doom and Doom 2, we need to dissect what each title brings to the table. Doom 2, officially titled Doom II: Hell on Earth, built upon the groundbreaking success of the original Doom. It retained the core gameplay loop of running, gunning, and demon-slaying, but expanded upon it in several key ways.
What Doom 2 Added to the Formula
Doom 2 introduced:
- New enemy types: Doubled the number of non-boss monsters from Doom.
- Re-used Bosses: Started using bosses from the original Doom as normal level enemies.
- The Super Shotgun: A devastating double-barreled shotgun that quickly became a fan-favorite.
- The Megasphere: A powerful item that grants maximum health and armor.
- 32 New Levels: Followed the same level structure as Doom I with 30 regular levels and 2 secret levels.
These additions, while seemingly incremental, significantly enhanced the Doom experience. Doom 2 felt like a bigger, badder, and more brutal sequel that cemented the franchise’s legacy.
Final Doom: Community Creations Turned Official
Final Doom, released in 1996, takes a different approach. It doesn’t alter the core mechanics established by Doom 2. Instead, it delivers two brand new campaigns, TNT: Evilution and The Plutonia Experiment, developed by external teams and later acquired by id Software. These aren’t merely a few extra levels; they’re essentially two entirely new games built on the Doom 2 foundation.
- TNT: Evilution was created by TeamTNT. It has a narrative focus on avenging fallen comrades.
- The Plutonia Experiment was created by the Casali brothers. It focuses on a marine tasked with closing hell gates.
Final Doom is notable because it represents id Software’s endorsement of the burgeoning Doom modding community. These were not in-house creations, but rather high-quality community-made content that id Software recognized as worthy of official release. The campaigns are known for their significantly increased difficulty compared to the original Doom and Doom 2.
The Impact and Legacy
Final Doom and Doom 2 exist in a symbiotic relationship. Final Doom wouldn’t exist without Doom 2’s engine and mechanics, but it offers a dramatically different experience that stands apart. It showcases the power of community creativity and id Software’s willingness to embrace it. Furthermore, It’s canonicity is ambiguous since none of the other games reference it and it wasn’t developed by id Software directly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the differences and similarities between Final Doom and Doom 2:
1. What is the difference between Doom and Doom 2?
Doom 2 expanded on the original Doom by adding new enemy types, re-using bosses from Doom 1, introducing the Super Shotgun and Megasphere, and including a new set of 32 levels.
2. Is Ultimate Doom just Doom 1?
The Ultimate Doom is essentially the original Doom with an added fourth episode consisting of nine new levels. It also features some graphical enhancements and engine tweaks. Therefore, both are considered “Doom 1.”
3. Does Final Doom have a story?
Yes, Final Doom consists of two episodes, each with its own narrative. In TNT: Evilution, the player must avenge fallen comrades, while in The Plutonia Experiment, the player is tasked with closing gates to Hell.
4. Who is the main character in Final Doom?
The main character in Final Doom, as in all classic Doom games, is the Doomguy (also known as the Doom Marine or Doom Slayer), a space marine tasked with battling demonic forces.
5. How long does it take to beat Final Doom?
On average, completing the main objectives of Final Doom takes around 13 hours. Completionists looking to explore every aspect of the game can expect to spend around 16.5 hours.
6. Is Final Doom canon?
The canonicity of Final Doom is debated because it wasn’t directly developed by id Software and isn’t referenced in subsequent Doom games.
7. Is Final Doom harder than Doom 2?
Yes, Final Doom is generally considered significantly harder than Doom 2, especially The Plutonia Experiment. The levels are more complex, and the enemy placement is more challenging.
8. Does Brutal Doom work with Final Doom?
Yes, the popular gore-themed mod Brutal Doom is compatible with Final Doom, along with Doom, The Ultimate Doom, and Doom 2.
9. What happened to Final Doom on Steam?
In August 2022, Final Doom was delisted from Steam and bundled into a single listing with Doom 2, Master Levels for Doom II, and the No Rest for the Living expansion. This was done to consolidate the various Doom releases.
10. Was Final Doom made by id Software?
Final Doom was not made by id Software. It was made by community members and purchased by id Software to be published as an officially licensed Doom product.
11. Is Doom 3 a retelling of Doom 1?
Doom 3 is considered a reimagining of the original Doom, taking a horror-focused approach and ignoring the events of Doom 2 and Final Doom.
12. Is Doom 64 just Doom 1?
Doom 64 is not just Doom 1. It’s an entirely new game that takes place after the events of Doom 2, featuring new levels, enemies, and a distinct visual style.
13. Is Final Doom still fun to play?
Absolutely! Despite its age, Final Doom remains a challenging and rewarding experience for fans of classic first-person shooters. The intense level design and relentless enemy encounters provide a unique and satisfying gameplay experience.
14. How many levels are in Final Doom?
Final Doom features 64 levels in total, split between its two episodes. TNT: Evilution and The Plutonia Experiment each have 30 regular levels and 2 secret levels.
15. What is id Software’s role in the Doom Community?
id Software has significantly influenced the gaming community by embracing the modding community. They’ve been able to release products, like Final Doom, that was built by members of the community. Communities such as Games Learning Society and GamesLearningSociety.org foster learning through gaming and can help to cultivate future game developers.
In summary, while Final Doom is built upon the framework of Doom 2, it provides a distinct and challenging experience that makes it a worthwhile addition to any Doom fan’s library.