I see the goal: the coolest boomer shooters

A new part of the legendary Doom, The Dark Ages, will be released in a month. This classic series, along with Duke Nukem, Wolfenstein and other shooting games of the 1990s, gave rise to the genre of boomer shooters, or boomer shooters. They are defined as a bloody, dynamic and driving first-person action movie with old-school graphics, first-aid kits and ammo scattered across locations, a variety of enemies and bosses, as well as secret doors. To complete each level, you need to look for keys and collect an impressive arsenal of weapons. Boomer shooters are experiencing a real renaissance today, and the release of the new Doom is a great reason to remember the best representatives of the genre. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

Dusk

Screenshot from the game "Dusk"

Photo: New Blood Interactive

Developer: New Blood Interactive
Release year: 2018
What to play on: PC, Nintendo Switch

It's fair to start with a game that not only gave the genre its name, but also rekindled the interest of gamers. Similar projects have been released before, but it was Dusk that became iconic. The main feature of this shooting game is both respect for the shooters of the past and new solutions.

Dusk adopted the action, aesthetics and brutality of the classics, but at the same time the developers remembered about physics and modern mechanics. It deserves attention not only because it was the first high-profile game of the genre, but also for its incredible dynamism: a hurricane of blood, shell casings, enemies, a real test of reaction speed.

Each level is not just an arena, but a well—thought-out puzzle with secrets and a variety of approaches. The locations are not linear, it is interesting to navigate them and return to the already completed segments. Dusk offers a large amount of content and several gameplay options: campaign or arena mode, secrets, Easter eggs, custom maps.

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Hexen

Screenshot from the Hexen game

Photo: Raven Software

Developer: Raven Software
Release year: 1995
What to play on: MS-DOS, PC, Mac OS, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Sega Saturn

Hexen is the second part of the Serpent Riders trilogy from Raven Software Studio. This is a dark fantasy shooter, but with a number of important differences that set it apart from other first-person shooters of its time. The main innovation is the ability to choose one of three game classes.

Each class has its own set of four weapons, abilities, and game style. Moreover, Hexen can adjust the levels to the selected character by changing the maps and design. In terms of mechanics, the project is radically different from typical shooters of the era. Usually the levels in them were linear and consisted of a single map.: as soon as the user passed the location, the next one was loaded.

In Hexen, one level can consist of several maps connected through a central hub. This creates huge and multi-level spaces through which the player moves in search of keys, objects or switches to open access to the next segment. This approach allowed us to create a sense of an open world. In Hexen, new enemies respawn over time, so just clearing a level and exploring it in peace won't work. Another innovation is scenario events that radically change the map, for example, by destroying part of the level. There are also many destructible objects, from pots to trees and stained glass windows.

Amid Evil

Screenshot from the game Amid Evil

Photo: Indefatigable

Developer: Indefatigable
Release year: 2018
What to play on: PC, Xbox Series X/S

The player in Amid Evil acts as a Cleaner, chosen by ancient forces to fight corruption that has taken over seven hostile worlds. Each of them has unique enemies, architecture, atmosphere and boss. Instead of firearms, there are magical weapons that feed on the souls of defeated opponents. This boomer shooter is incredibly stylish: rich colors and visual effects of magic.

The developers relied on retrovisualization, but they presented it fresh. The weapons here are not just a substitute for shotguns, but truly unique: a planet that can be thrown like a grenade, a blade that shoots explosive charges, a staff that releases an electric arc.

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Cultic

Screenshot from the game Cult

Photo: Jasozz Games

Developers: Jasozz Games / 3D Realms
Release year: 2022 (Chapter one)
What to play on: PC

Cult: Chapter One is a game based on the Build engine. This is both the spiritual heir of old-school shooters, and a completely modern reinterpretation of them. The project is surprisingly beautiful, considering the vintage software. The subtle color palette conveys a mystical atmosphere, and the decorations create a real 3D feeling.

The story of Cult takes place in a dark stylized world full of abandoned villages, old mansions, dungeons and factories. The main character is a former detective who investigates a chain of disappearances and mass murders. Among the advantages of the projects, in addition to the atmosphere, hardcore gameplay, rich levels, and a well-thought-out progress system can be highlighted in a good way.

Prodeus

Screenshot from the game "Prodeus"

Photo: Bounding Box Software

Developer: Bounding Box Software
Release year: 2022
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch

The plot of the game is conditional and very boomer-shooter. The user assumes the role of a mysterious soldier. In the past, he was part of the Prodeus project, a bio—cyborg warrior who appeared in an evil corporation. The world is gripped by destruction, hordes of demons and cybermutants, and the main goal in this chaos is to take revenge on their creators.

Prodeus levels challenge gamers: you need to find buttons, collect keys and pave the way to the exit, combining this with the destruction of hordes of enemies. There is a conditional world map on which locations are selected. As the player progresses, upgrades and new abilities appear: thanks to them, it is interesting to go through the old segments again, searching for previously inaccessible secrets.

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Wizordum

Screenshot from the game "Wizordum"

Photo: Emberheart Games

Developer: Emberheart Games
Release year: 2023 (early Access)
What to play on: PC

Another Hexen—inspired shooter where the main weapon is magic. This time, the action takes place in the magical kingdom of Girsal, engulfed by darkness. When the barrier between the worlds weakened, hordes of demonic creatures poured into the country.

The player assumes the role of one of the last magicians to survive the disaster. The main task is to cleanse the kingdom of corruption, restore balance and regain lost magical power.

Each location is a mini-maze with many secret passages, hidden rooms, secret niches with bonuses and traps. Wizordum exploration is a really important part of the gameplay. The game has a convenient editor that allows you to create your own levels, campaigns and share them with other players.