Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More

The entire Doom story explained

In the opening moments of the 2016 Doom reboot, the Doom Slayer wakes to discover the latest mess he'll have to mop up. Not even five seconds into Samuel Hayden's briefing, the Slayer shoves the monitor aside, finds himself a shotgun, and cocks it to the beat of his own theme music. It's one of the most badass scenes in gaming.

No on would blame you for thinking, "Oh, I know exactly what my objective is in this game, and it mostly involves performing profane acts on every demon I see." Believe it or not, the Doom franchise does have a story woven through each new entry, and it's slightly more involved than you might think. The narrative is complex enough that a debate still rages over where certain games fall on the timeline or if the protagonist is even the same person throughout.

Here's what you might have missed during your relentless search for keycards and chainsaws. Sit down and enjoy this tale about the happy boy they now call the Doom Slayer.