DOOM - The 9 Best Mods, WADs & Total Conversions

The original DOOM despite the fact that it will almost turn 30 years since its release, has a very dedicated community. The game also has numerous source ports, which makes the game easily playable on almost all platforms.

Due to its strong following, the community for DOOM still continues to create mods, be them total conversions, map packs, weapon mods or something entirely different.

So, without further ado, here’s a list of DOOM mods that you definitely shouldn’t miss out on.

Best DOOM Total Conversions

Total conversions are mods, which are essentially like little games that run on the DOOM engine. Many talented modders have used this as an opportunity and a starting point in their game developing career. Often with complete new takes, and in some cases infinitely more fun than some AAA games, here are the Total Conversions that you definitely need to try out.

Ashes 2063

Download link: https://forum.zdoom.org/viewtopic.php?t=47573&

Ashes 2063 is a post-apocalyptic mod developed by Voystok. Inspired by 80s and 90s comics and movies, the mods biggest strength is the atmosphere. Everything from enemies, weapons and locations will draw you in and you will forget that you’re actually playing a mod.

Ashes 2063 was so well received by the community that it got an expansion Dead Man Walking. Due to its popularity, Voystok released a remastered version which contains better graphics, effects and comes with the Dead Man Walking expansion.

The weapons all look used and rugged, and you will need to conserve ammo, and rely on your knife, which can be used while you have your gun out. Enemies will lunge, rush and move faster, so you will need to think on your feet.

It’s one of the best total conversions out there, and will serve as a nice introduction to anyone that is new to the DOOM modding scene. It has a nice easy-to-use launcher for newbies, and veteran players will appreciate the challenge of its higher difficulty. Look out for its sequel Ashes Afterglow.

Brutal Doom: Hell on Earth Starter Pack

Download link: https://www.moddb.com/mods/recurring-nightmare/downloads/brutal-doom-hell-on-earth-starter-pack

Made by Sergeant Mark IV, who is probably best known for making Brutal DOOM, this mod is a fully developed mod that takes the levels from the first two games and turns them up to 11. There are 32 levels in total, divided into 3 episodes similarly to the original DOOM.

Everything in this mod is made with careful planning, passion, and dedication. Things like lighting, enemy placements, textures, and level layout are all high-quality stuff. The levels have a natural flow to them, and it feels like you’re actually progressing towards your goal. With plenty of challenges and secrets, this mod also allows you to fight alongside fellow marines and even carry them to the next level (if they don’t die, of course).

The highlight of this mod is definitely the invasion of Earth and the urban maps, which create a great atmosphere and manage to show the real hell on Earth.
Get it, play it, you certainly won’t regret it.

BLOOM

Download link: https://www.moddb.com/mods/bloom-doomblood-crossover

BLOOM is one of the best mods created in recent years and is genius in its design and atmosphere. It takes the elements from two of the best FPS games, DOOM, and BLOOD, and mixes them into one big, unforgettable adventure. You can choose to play as either Doomguy or Caleb, both of whom have their own style. For example, Doomguy can take Caleb’s Akimbo power, which means a whole lot of firepower.

The enemy monsters are a mixture of foes from the two games, meaning you will fight something like Zombarons (a mix of Zombies and Barons of Hell). The arsenal of weapons is also interesting, and while Caleb’s arsenal is largely unchanged, Doomguy has a few new toys.
A UAC Frostgun (which freezes enemies), UAC Flamethrower, and a Tesla Cannon. Every weapon comes with its own type of ammo, so it doesn’t waste any other ammo type.

The biggest feature is the level design, which is as you can guess a mixture of DOOM and Blood levels. What’s interesting is that all of the maps look familiar, but as you progress they will become more and more complex. If you’re a seasoned player of FPS games, this will be a nice surprise, as the levels will become more “dreamlike” as you go on.

A definite recommendation for any old school fans and newbies, that will give you hours of fun. You can see the passion and dedication put into the mod, which is always a plus.

Aliens: Eradication TC

Download link: https://www.moddb.com/mods/aliens-eradication-tc

An Aliens mod for DOOM is kind of inevitable, and one of the first DOOM mods was an ALIENS mod, back in 1994. With that being said Aliens: Eradication TC, is the ultimate Aliens experience, that is even better than some of the licensed games.

The mod offers you several classes to choose from as your playstyle, and those are Merc, Colonist, Combat Synthetic, and Weyland-Yutani operative. The merc class is the all-around default setting, while the Colonist class will give you more of a survival horror experience. The other two classes, Combat Synthetic and Weyland-Yutani operative can turn you into unstoppable killing machines.

While it may lack a direct narrative, it more than makes up for it in the atmosphere, giving you a sense of fear and adrenaline. It will keep you on your toes at all times, and there are plenty of aliens, which will force you to think on your feet and plan your next move.

If you’re looking for an Aliens experience that you never had, give this mod a try. The sheer amount of polish, and most importantly the understanding of source material, make it something that you don’t want to miss. Try it even if you’re not a fan of the series, it’s just that good.

Total Chaos

Download link: https://www.moddb.com/mods/total-chaos

Total Chaos is a horror mod that can easily keep up with AAA horror games. Looking at it, at first, you wouldn’t believe it was actually a DOOM mod. When it comes to graphics and presentation it’s in a league of its own.

Set on the island of Fort Oasis, a once-thriving mining colony, you receive a mysterious radio signal. Investigating, you will encounter monsters and other horrors not wishing you well.

You will need to scavenge in order to survive, and naturally inventory management. Various items can give you buffs, more stamina, and even harder attacks. You will need to keep an eye out for food, craftables, consumables, and so on.

There are plenty of weapons at your disposal, but guns are naturally in short supply, which leaves you relying on a variety of melee weapons. If you find a gun, you will need to make every shot count, as there isn’t much ammo lying around, waiting to be picked up. However, you can’t just swing around it aimlessly, as it will drain stamina. If it’s drained too much, you will move much slower making it harder to avoid enemies’ attacks or do a fast retreat.

The levels and atmosphere of the game are really well thought out and the sound design will make your hair stand. Developers managed to nail that horror atmosphere, which is really, really hard to do.

Overall, Total Chaos is probably one of the best-looking TC out there and an amazing horror experience. Definitely not for those of the feign of heart, but if you have the guts, definitely give this one a go. You won’t be disappointed.

Best DOOM Mods & MegaWADs

A MegaWAD is a PWAD that contains 15 or more levels.

Project Brutality

Download link: https://www.moddb.com/mods/project-brutality

What started as an add-on for the popular DOOM gameplay mod, Brutal DOOM, has also become a standalone mod. It’s a step above the standard Brutal DOOM in almost every way.

Project Brutality, not only adds extra weapons, it adds more enemies and new enemy tactics that will certainly keep you on your feet. It also has upgradable weapons, difficulty tweaks, and many other options to best suit your playstyle.

One of the most well-made and essential mods, that you will definitely have to try out for yourself.

DOOM the Way id Did

Download link: https://www.moddb.com/games/doom/addons/doom-the-way-id-did-v11

DOOM the Way id Did, is a MegaWAD that contains 27 levels that were made in style by the original developers Sandy Peterson, Tom Hall, and John Romero. It contains three episodes, just like the original game did.

The success of the MegaWAD made it possible for even a few sequels to be released, namely: DOOM 2 the Way id Did DOOM the Way id Did: The Lost Episodes (featuring submitted levels, that didn’t make the final cut), PhobosDeimos Anomaly & No End In Sight.

All of them are unique and offer a fresh take on an already tested formula. So, if you’re looking for new challenges, but also something familiar, give this one a go.

Final Doomer

Download link: https://forum.zdoom.org/viewtopic.php?t=55061

Final Doomer is a gameplay mod that is based around weapons that were made for other popular MegaWADs. Once you start Final Doomer, you will have the option of choosing a weapon set from one of the other mods. These include Plutonia, TNT Evolution, Ancient Aliens, Back to Saturn X, Hellbound, Alien Vendetta, Whitemare, and Japanese Community Project.

Each one of these has a unique weapon set that will enhance your game and give you a new challenge to accomplish. A definitive recommendation.

Jenesis

Download link: https://www.moddb.com/games/doom-ii/addons/jenesis

Jenesis is a MegaWAD that was designed to keep the feeling of the original releases by id Software, as well as Final DOOM and it holds 32 amazing levels. The results are superb, as it manages to keep the spirit of the originals, while also adding something new.

From the first level onward, you’ll know that you’re in for a ride. You must be careful and efficient with your ammo; it’s quite easy to be wasteful, leaving you to scrape by, as two Revenants shoot at you from the end of the room at the very beginning. A huge help here is the — naturally present — secrets, as the bonus supplies will make the experience a lot more survivable.

Jenesis, which deservedly won a Cacoward in 2011, is playable on almost all of the source ports. Even if it can be challenging at times, the wad is a joy to play through, keeping you occupied for hours.