Doom is more than a game: it’s a medium. Over the decades people have taken id’s notorious FPS and bent it to their will, creating all manner of bizarre, beautiful, and impressive mods. It’s the foundation for a huge amount of creativity, and below are some of my favourite examples of Doom being used to create something really weird. Because why not?
Seinfeld
Author Doug Keener | Download (opens in new tab)
An accurate replica of Seinfeld’s New York apartment. It took its creator over 100 hours to make, but it was worth it. You can even kill the main cast, because it is a Doom mod after all. And make sure you check out Kramer’s apartment.
Run For It
Author Cherepoc | Download (opens in new tab)
Imagine if all the objects in Doom—weapons, ammo, health, keycards—suddenly sprouted legs and started running away from you. You’ve just imagined Run For It, a hilarious mod that has to be seen to be believed.
Dood
Author DeXiaZ | Download (opens in new tab)
Inspired by the meme, this creative mod mirrors the game down the middle—including the sprites, maps, and music—to create a truly confusing, disorientating, and surreal experience. You’ve never played Doom like this.
Void
Author Cyb | Download (opens in new tab)
Meddling scientists open a portal to a bizarre, surrealist world where chunks of the level float in an endless kaleidoscopic void. A great example of Doom being used to do something it was never designed for. It even has cutscenes.
Pirate Doom
Author Arch | Download (opens in new tab)
A swashbuckling WAD that completely transforms the game, adding flintlock pistols, pirate ships, and jaunty Monkey Island music. But the thing I love most is how it gives all the classic Doom enemies eyepatches and pirate hats.
The Sky May Be
Author Doug the Eagle, Kansam | Download (opens in new tab)
The authors describe this as “the strangest WAD ever made”, and it’s no empty boast. Vast, disjointed environments, weird textures, floating error messages, and strange carnival-like music make this a unique (and terrifying) mod.
NUTS
Author B.P.R.D. | Download (opens in new tab)
This mod begins with you gazing over an endless sea of demons. Think the Battle of Helm’s Deep, but with more visible pixels. And your mission is simple: kill ‘em all. NUTS is Doom at its most primal and single-minded.
Doot
Author DeXiaZ | Download (opens in new tab)
Here’s another meme-inspired mod by DeXiaZ, this time giving you just one weapon to slay the demon hordes with: a trumpet. If you make it through the whole game listening to that endless dooting, you’re stronger than I.
Doom Vacation
Author Doorhenge | Download (opens in new tab)
If you’ve ever wanted to see Doomguy running around a beach resort squirting demons with a water pistol, this conversion of preposterous Duke 3D add-on Duke Caribbean is the WAD for you. Talk about a change of scenery.
Zharkov Goes to the Store
Author Xaser | Download (opens in new tab)
This mod adds an arsenal of bizarre, intentionally absurd weapons to Doom, including the ability to tear your own arm off and throw it at enemies, a nuclear warhead launcher, and a gun that freezes demons with liquid nitrogen.
Voxel Chibi Doom
Author Cherno | Download (opens in new tab)
This mod replaces all the standard enemies with cute pixelated versions. Or should that be voxelated? The Cacodemon is my favourite. Look at his little face. Combine this mod with Ezepov’s Low-Res Doom (opens in new tab) for extra cuteness.
