Doom E1M1 remade in Doom Eternal is honestly kind of quaint
The iconic first level of the original 1993 Doom, E1M1, has been remade in Doom Eternal by a talented modder known as Bloodshot1. This remake uses the Pistol Restoration mod to bring the classic level to life with modern graphics and engine. While it's fascinating to see the original level reimagined in a new light, it's also striking how quaint and barebones it appears compared to modern game design standards.
Despite its simplicity, E1M1's level design still holds up today, showcasing the enduring appeal of solid game design fundamentals. The remake serves as a reminder that, even 30 years ago, game designers prioritized easing players into the game with simple, yet effective, level design. In contrast, modern games like Doom Eternal often feature more bombastic and complex opening levels.
The recent surprise release of a bundle of Doom and Doom 2 as a free update for enhanced edition owners highlights the significant advancements in game design over the past three decades. The new expansion, in particular, demonstrates how far game design has come, with more coherent and immersive environments. As writer Dominic Tarason noted, "This is peak 2024 Doom, and one of this year's best FPS campaigns to date."
While game design continues to evolve, certain fundamentals like those found in Doom or Tetris remain fun and engaging regardless of the advancements in the field. PC Gamer's feature, "Doom is eternal: The immeasurable impact of gaming's greatest FPS," explores this idea in more depth, and it's definitely worth a read.
The E1M1 remake in Doom Eternal serves as a nostalgic trip down memory lane, but it also underscores the importance of solid game design principles. Even as game design continues to push boundaries, the core elements that make games enjoyable will always remain relevant.