Ranking All Games Published By Bethesda Softworks From Worst To Best
4. Doom (2016)
After years of toiling in development hell (pun intended), the fourth Doom dropped in 2017 and was a rejuvenated course correction after Doom 3's detour into pure Survival Horror.
The plot was daringly non-existent, playing as a loose semi-sequel to the originals with gamers taking control of the silent Doom Slayer, a total badass who has little patience for exposition and just wants to get on with shotgunning demons in the face.
It plays refreshingly against modern FPS convention of the duck-and-cover formula, as you can't survive by playing it safe. In fact, it’s a death sentence. You have to be constantly moving, jumping, and mauling the endless onslaught of enemies. The game even strategically rewards you for close counter kills with health.
Sure, it's all fairly one-note - walk into area, kill a bunch of demons, walk to next area - but that's also the whole point. It's unapologetically old-school with all unnecessary fat trimmed, whilst melding proceedings with slick modern mechanics and aesthetics.
A great blend of old with new, a cocktail that has resulted in Doom being the best it's ever been... or perhaps likely will be.