Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Doom RPG reimagines the blistering action of classic Doom as a turn-based role-playing experience tailored for mobile platforms. Movement is handled in discrete steps with 90-degree turns, allowing you to navigate corridors and chambers one square at a time. When an enemy emerges, the game shifts seamlessly into a fully turn-based mode, where every step and shot consumes an action point. This hybrid system retains the tension of the original’s monster encounters while respecting the hardware constraints of early handheld devices.

As you blast through demonic hordes, you earn experience points that let you level up and tailor your space marine’s attributes—health, strength and agility—to suit your playstyle. Combat outcomes hinge on these stats, the enemy’s defenses and the specific weapon you wield. Every creature has a vulnerability: shotguns shred zombies, the plasma gun burns Imps, and the mighty BFG-9000 dismantles even the toughest barons. Credits found in exploration or looted from fallen foes can be spent at in-world terminals to purchase everything from ammo clips and armor plates to mysterious upgrades.

Exploration remains a cornerstone of Doom RPG. Keycards, computer terminals and interactive characters all serve to unlock new areas or trigger side quests. Your in-game notebook automatically logs important passcodes and clues, while the auto-map provides a useful overhead view of sprawling labyrinths. True to the heritage of Doom, you’ll uncover hidden alcoves and secret levels by flanking walls or activating cleverly concealed switches, rewarding those who pay close attention to their surroundings.

Graphics

On devices from its era, Doom RPG punches well above its weight visually, delivering richly detailed sprite-based graphics reminiscent of the original PC releases. Walls, floors and ceilings feature familiar textures—rusted metal plates, bloodstains and flickering lights—that evoke the claustrophobic atmosphere of a UAC research facility gone wrong. Despite limited resolution, the game’s art direction captures the essence of Mars-bound military installations and infernal demonic realms.

Character and monster sprites are rendered with surprising clarity, ensuring you can instantly recognize Imps, Revenants or the dreaded Cyberdemon at a glance. Animations are smooth for the platform, with enemies snarling before lunging and barrels exploding in a satisfying blaze when struck. Weapon effects—from shotgun blasts to rocket plumes—are stylized but effective, reinforcing each shot’s impact and keeping the combat visually engaging.

User interface elements like the heads-up display and inventory screens strike a balance between functionality and nostalgia. Health vials, armor skulls and ammo pickups are clearly depicted, while the notebook and auto-map interfaces remain intuitive even on smaller screens. Menus are responsive, and loading times are kept to a minimum, ensuring the visual presentation never impedes the flow of gameplay.

Story

Doom RPG places you in the boots of a lone space marine dispatched to investigate a dire distress signal emanating from a UAC research facility on Phobos. Gone silent, the installation is overrun by demons and grotesque abominations unleashed by unethical experiments. Your mission: restore order, uncover the truth and survive long enough to escape. This scenario mirrors the original Doom’s premise but adds role-playing depth through dialogue and branching interactions.

Narrative progression is delivered through conversations with surviving personnel, log entries on computer terminals and occasional scripted cutscenes that heighten the stakes. Rather than wallowing in text dumps, the game disperses story beats organically as you explore, interrogate NPCs and unlock new zones. Key plot points are reinforced with atmospheric sound effects and the occasional musical cue drawn from the iconic Doom soundtrack.

The inclusion of side characters and optional dialogue branches gives the story unexpected moments of levity and intrigue. Whether you’re bargaining for weapon upgrades or bribing a scientist for critical passcodes, your choices can influence the path you take through the facility. Although the core narrative remains linear, these interactive elements lend a sense of agency and encourage multiple playthroughs to witness every secret.

Overall Experience

Doom RPG stands as an impressive feat of adaptation, transforming the fast-paced shooter into a richly woven turn-based RPG without losing the franchise’s signature intensity. By balancing strategic, stat-driven combat with familiar weapons and enemies, the game appeals both to long-time Doom aficionados and newcomers seeking classic sci-fi horror on the go.

The progression system keeps you invested, as each level-up and credit-fueled purchase can turn the tide of battle. Resource management—deciding when to spend on ammo, armor or health—adds tension to every corridor. Exploration and puzzle-solving elements dovetail neatly with the leveling mechanics, making each new keycard or secret door feel like a meaningful reward.

Graphically and aurally, Doom RPG punches above its weight, capturing the look and feel of id Software’s legendary shooter while respecting mobile hardware limitations. The story, conveyed through NPC interactions and environmental clues, delivers enough context and intrigue to keep players motivated between encounters with revenants and barons.

Ultimately, Doom RPG offers a unique blend of strategic depth and nostalgic thrills. It transforms palm-sized screens into portals to hellish battlegrounds, proving that with thoughtful design and careful adaptation, the soul of a classic FPS can thrive in an entirely different genre. Whether you’re reliving childhood memories or discovering Doom for the first time, this mobile RPG delivers a compact, compelling experience that stands the test of time.

Retro Replay Score

7.9/10