Non-RPG General News - DOOM and DOOM II are back

[HiddenX]

Henriquejr spotted that DOOM and DOOM II got an update on Steam:

DOOM + DOOM II Release Notes

DOOM + DOOM II are back in a combined release with new content and features!

Developed by id Software and originally released in 1993, DOOM pioneered and popularized the first-person shooter, setting a standard for all FPS games. The critically acclaimed sequel, DOOM II, followed in 1994.

Now the definitive, newly enhanced versions of DOOM + DOOM II are available in a single combined release on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, in addition to PC platforms and Game Pass (subscription required). This definitive enhanced version is our biggest effort yet with online cross-platform Deathmatch and Co-op for up to 16 players, community-published single-player mod support (with in-game mod browser), optimized renderer, accessibility options, optional modern IDKFA soundtrack by Andrew Hulshult (including brand-new DOOM II recordings) selectable alongside the original MIDI soundtracks, presented in up to 120hz in 4K on supported platforms (see FAQ below for details) and a brand-new episode "Legacy of Rust," with new weapons and demons made in collaboration by individuals from id Software, Nightdive Studios and MachineGames.

Note: Existing owners of DOOM (1993) and / or DOOM II on any of the above platforms receive a free upgrade to the new combined game, and can still access their previously owned versions. (See FAQ below for details.)

More information.

 

[Redglyph]

IDKFA - full health, ammo, weapons, armor and keys. Smart name for a soundtrack TC.

I owned both of the original games, but not on Steam. I wouldn't even know where to look for them. It was a good relaxing game during the exams.

PS: It's not that they're back with a new release; the Doom + Doom II combo has been there since 2007 and updated many times, apparently. It's only a new update concomitant with the QuakeCon event.

 

[txa1265]

PS: It's not that they're back with a new release; the Doom + Doom II combo has been there since 2007 and updated many times, apparently. It's only a new update concomitant with the QuakeCon event.

Exactly - I own them on Steam at least, and also for Switch where I grabbed them on some wild sale for next to nothing a few years back.

 

[Redglyph]

Exactly - I own them on Steam at least, and also for Switch where I grabbed them on some wild sale for next to nothing a few years back.

That must be the perfect game for handhelds.

EDIT: Something eludes me, though. They talk about 60 and 120 FPS, but the original game was 35-ish FPS. So I suppose it's only for the camera's movements and possibly for projectiles? Unless they changed the original code.

 

[Carnifex]

Not sure I'd ever replay these now yet had fun with them at releases.

 

[Taluntain]

The release is on GOG as well.

 

[bkrueger]

The release is on GOG as well.

Yes I got an email about it yesterday and downloaded it immediately. I got it for free, since I had some older versions on GOG (of the single games, not the bundle). It contains some additional level collections I didn't have before.

 

[SSIGuy]

I believe I still have my Wolfenstein 3D and Doom 1 floppies in a box. Maybe I should just reinstall from those?

 

[Redglyph]

I believe I still have my Wolfenstein 3D and Doom 1 floppies in a box. Maybe I should just reinstall from those?

Maybe that would work with an MS-DOS PC emulated in a VirtualBox.

 

[Alrik Fassbauer]

Maybe that would work with an MS-DOS PC emulated in a VirtualBox.

DOSBOX might be even better. Because it is rather developed for gaming.
I have a small program from which you can produce disk images. You need a disk drive for that, of course, or an older PC which has such a drive.

 

[JDR13]

EDIT: Something eludes me, though. They talk about 60 and 120 FPS, but the original game was 35-ish FPS. So I suppose it's only for the camera's movements and possibly for projectiles? Unless they changed the original code.

These versions were redone in the Kex Engine.

 

[Carnifex]

Ahhh nice, I got a notice from GoG as well, might as well add them. Score!

 

[Darkheart]

I got the non-upgraded versions on Steam a good while ago, but they were too fast and it took some work-arounds to make them run slower on modern PCs. Does anybody know if the new versions solve this out the box?

 

[bkrueger]

I got the non-upgraded versions on Steam a good while ago, but they were too fast and it took some work-arounds to make them run slower on modern PCs. Does anybody know if the new versions solve this out the box?

I believe so, I started Doom for a few minutes and saw no problem. On the other hand, I can't remember any problems with my earlier GoG-versions.

By the way I played Doom in an open source engine a few years ago and that one added looking up and down and even jumping, if I remember correctly. That made playing much more fun. The present new versions don't seem to have that. So peolple considering replays should stll check, if they want to use one of the open source engines out there.

 

[Pessimeister]

I've still got my original cds from the days of yore. The last versions I bought I think were in the BFG Edition of Doom 3. I finished those a number of years ago on Ultra Violence and had a blast doing so. Not sure what to make of these new versions - the alternative music certainly doesn't sound or feel right to me for that graphical style. I need synth and mood. Great games, great memories.

 

[Redglyph]

These versions were redone in the Kex Engine.

But it looks like the enemies' movements are not fluid, as if they were still limited by the original framerate (which would make sense unless all the assets have been remade).

 

[mercy]

We grew up with the rock star like myth of the id Software team. Starting with Wolfenstein for PC 1992 (non-id game) and id Softs massive remake: DOOM 1. Those were the days!
The sound effects were created in-house (IIRC) - as they documented it - and those monster sounds are truly amazing!!

 

[notdart]

you know (or don't know) i played wolfenstein around 1992 and then doom around 1994 (sometime there are bonuses working at the computer center); i replayed doom around 2004 and noted it hadn't aged well at all - and now in 2024 I think I'll just say no.

 

[Vaelith]

It's not a game I ever cared for, as it had no substance, no depth, no story, and none of the qualities I look for in a videogame, but it's undeniable that Doom was a staple in the industry back in the day for a certain audience, and spearheaded a whole genre.

Good on them.

 

[JDR13]

But it looks like the enemies' movements are not fluid, as if they were still limited by the original framerate (which would make sense unless all the assets have been remade).

Yeah, they obviously didn't create new models or anything like that. I think porting it was more for the purpose of having it run better on modern systems than anything else.

It does look more crisp at least with the higher resolution, and I personally like the remastered sound.