Should I Play Doom 2016 Before Eternal?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You want the story to make sense. DOOM (2016) establishes the setting, the return of the Doom Slayer, the role of Samuel Hayden and the UAC, and the origins of the demonic invasion on Mars. DOOM Eternal treats many of these events as established history, so starting with 2016 reduces confusion when characters and plot points reappear.
• Good fit: You prefer to learn the combat loop at a moderate pace. DOOM (2016) introduces glory kills, the weapon wheel, runes, and demon weaknesses with relatively straightforward level design. Mastering those fundamentals can make the faster movement, expanded arsenal, and stricter resource management of DOOM Eternal feel less overwhelming.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: You are short on time or money and only want the newest experience. DOOM Eternal refines nearly every system, adds new movement abilities, and assumes the player wants high-speed action immediately. If your goal is simply to play the latest game with friends or join current community discussions, purchasing and finishing an older title first may feel like an unnecessary delay.
• Warning sign: You dislike slower or more repetitive pacing. DOOM (2016) is generally considered more methodical than Eternal, with fewer traversal mechanics and less emphasis on constant ability switching. A player who expects Eternal’s frenetic rhythm from the start may find 2016 sluggish or may prefer to skip it rather than risk burnout before reaching the sequel.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Establishes the narrative foundation: key characters, organizations, and the Doom Slayer’s motivations are introduced in DOOM (2016), which helps later story beats in Eternal land with more impact.
• Acts as a natural difficulty curve: the simpler mechanics and slower pacing let you build confidence, aim discipline, and demon-management skills before Eternal raises the intensity.

Cons

• It can feel like a step backward after Eternal: players who begin with the sequel often report that 2016’s combat and level design seem less dynamic, which may reduce enjoyment if played out of order.
• It adds cost and playtime: buying and completing an extra game is not trivial, and someone who only wants the latest campaign or multiplayer mode may see little return on that investment.

Decision Checklist

• Do I care about the story, characters, and lore enough to play through a full campaign, or would a plot summary be enough?
• Am I comfortable with fast, demanding first-person combat, or would I benefit from a slower introductory game?
• Is my budget and schedule flexible enough to buy and finish DOOM (2016) before moving on to Eternal?

Alternatives to Consider

If you are unsure about committing to both games, several middle paths exist. You can start with DOOM Eternal and watch a concise story recap of DOOM (2016) online, which covers the major plot points without the time investment. Another option is to play DOOM (2016) on a lower difficulty setting, treating it as an extended tutorial rather than a full challenge. Conversely, if you try Eternal first and find the pace too punishing, returning to 2016 afterward can still serve as valuable practice. Finally, if you are mainly interested in multiplayer, you should research the current player populations of each game’s online modes, since that may matter more than campaign order.

Final Recommendation

For most players who enjoy campaign-driven shooters, starting with DOOM (2016) is the better choice because it provides narrative context and a smoother skill curve. It is not mandatory, however; DOOM Eternal can be enjoyed on its own if you accept some narrative gaps and a steeper learning curve. Choose 2016 first if you have the time, money, and interest in the lore. Jump straight into Eternal if you want the most modern gameplay and are willing to read or watch a recap. For decisions involving significant spending or limited free time, consider your personal priorities carefully before purchasing.