Doom

(PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows)

DOOM is considered the grandfather of the first-person shooter.

So now – 23 years after its first release – how does it fit alongside these sprightly newer games like Halo, Battlefield and Call of Duty?

The answer appears to be just fine.

It is just as fun now to fight the legions of Hell as it was in the 90s but what makes this 2016 update of the game so great is that it is unapologetically old school.

Doom basically sees you play a space marine who has to singlehandedly battle demons when a shadowy corporation creates a link with Hell.

Where Doom 3 slowed down the pace and made it more moody and atmospheric, the team behind this game made the wise decision to bring the series back to its roots.

Forget modern game mechanics like ducking behind cover and regenerating health bars, the gameplay here is frantic.

The guns are big, the demons are bigger and you survive by facing the challenge head-on as pushing forward and killing Hell's minions are the only way you can get back your health.

Add to that incredible graphics, a pounding metal soundtrack which is in sync with the rhythm of the game and gory finishing moves called 'glory kills' and it is sure to have your pulse racing.

Games that make you feel this powerful went out of fashion for a while but Doom brings it back in style.

And this gladiatorial style of combat with power-ups like 'quad damage' and 'invulnerability' will make gamers of a certain age feel back in their element.

The multiplayer, meanwhile, is solid and just as fast and fun but makes more of a concession to modern games as you can only pick a loadout of two guns rather than lugging anything you find in true Doom style.

Causing havoc by morphing into the likes of a jet-pack wearing, rocket firing demon never gets old but otherwise it does not do enough to stand out from the pack.

A more worthwhile addition to the game is the SnapMap mode which allows you to make your own Doom levels and share them online.

These maps can all be rated by players and the best are featured to make them easy to find.

This adds a sense of longevity to the game and it is great because Doom's fanbase has been around a long time.

The maps show they have plenty of ideas for the series while gamers new to Doom bring a new perspective. Time to fight like hell...

RATING: 8/10

DAVID MORGAN