9 Fan Theories That Totally Change 2016's Best Video Games

3. One DOOM Theory To Rule Them All

DOOM's writers went through multiple iterations on how to continue the franchise, before deciding "F**k it, let's just be self-aware". That hasn't stopped Kotaku's Patrick Klepek connecting all the various titles together anyway though, and to be honest, having them all work as one is even better.

Going with the idea that all main DOOM games exist in one timeline and 2016's iteration wasn't a reboot, the first game sees a more standard marine working for the Union Aerospace Corporation. They fight their way through Hell, defeating the Spider Mastermind, only to get told Earth has been invaded by demons anyway, and they must return to cleanse the world of Hellspawn - the campaign of Doom II: Hell on Earth.

You do so, and are then happily retired, only for DOOM 64 to happen, and a demon-infested Mars needs your help once again. Our marine heads to Mars, cleans house, and "As the only marine to endure the slaughter, [decides] to remain in hell and ensure no demon ever rises again."

From here, the newest DOOM contains a Codex entry stating that this marine - the very same one who's been through so much across the various campaigns - "chose the path of perpetual torment [...] seeking vengeance against the dark lords who had wronged him."

It makes sense, then, that the version of the Doom Slayer you're playing as is the very same we always did - albeit now a version completely devoid of humanity, instead seeking only to "Rip and tear, until it is done", reclaiming his own armour at the beginning of the campaign, before tearing a fresh wound straight through Mars and Hell all over again.