I Like That Enemies Contest Your Space

[My Celium]

Most people who really love Doom agree that the bestiary is one of the best and most unique in any FPS game. They're such a well designed roster that even after 30 years, people still haven't gotten bored designing and playing encounters with them. I think that the reason why Doom's enemies stand out so much is that the player has very limited movement which forces you to wrestle directly with the demons for space.

In Doom, you can't jump over enemies, you cannot dash away from them, it's scary to use the rocket launcher in cramped situations, and the enemies have giant hitboxes which block exits. When millions of pinkies, hell-knights and imps start teleporting into a slaughter map, you cannot ignore them. You have to deal with them right now lest they disperse and claim all of your available territory. Territory you need if you want to escape an archvile's zap. This necessitates the use of tactics like monster herding, infighting, and deep-rocketing.

This is what makes Doom's combat interesting at both the micro and macro level, from Sigil to Sunlust. You are constantly scared of running out of room, which in most other FPS games isn't often a problem.

[DuckReconMajor]

Very good post. I've seen people absolutely seethe about the existence of infinitely tall monsters and such, but you've written out very well why I disagree.

[My Celium]

Yeah, infinitely tall monsters fundamentally changes certain encounters and makes them a lot easier.

[DNSKILL5]

It adds to the horror element of Doom. You wouldn’t want to run out of space between you and a horde of demons, a claustrophobics worst nightmare.