10 Biggest Graphical Leaps Between Video Game Sequels

Similar to Wolfenstein, Doom has seen another huge leap with the ten year gap between its second and third iterations and although Doom (2016) was another jump for the series, you just cannot overstate the difference between the early 90s and early 2000s. Doom 2 was at a time when shooters were finding their feet; Quake, Doom and Duke Nukem were all rampant and rightfully so, as the industry was loving the destruction. Half-Life would later come along to teach about story and interconnecting levels but overall, we don’t look at these games in light of graphics, more so in regards to pushing forward gameplay.

Although a technical showcase, Doom 3 was not particularly well-received and likely put the nail in the coffin until 2016. The third instalment might not have been what fans were looking for, but it took a leap of faith, one into a more horror-like style of gameplay, leaning into tricks with lighting and tightly packed areas. The technical and graphical achievement of Doom 3’s ability to use its environment to build suspense and dread in the player shouldn’t be understated. However, the fact that the series is much more about large areas, weapon variety and ripping demons in half has rightfully earned Doom 3’s direction some criticism.