The concept of transforming Doom into a tactical shooter might seem counterintuitive at first. Doom, the iconic first-person shooter, is renowned for its fast-paced action and quick reflexes required to navigate through hordes of demons. However, a recent mod, Blackout, has taken the reins and turned Doom into a slow-burning, methodical experience that bears an uncanny resemblance to tactical military simulations.

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Blackout is a work-in-progress mod created by modder PKmX, currently available in playable alpha for Doom source ports Zandronum and UZDoom. The mod is designed to provide ‘tactical military simulation-based gameplay that focuses on slow methodical clearing,’ according to a breakdown posted on the ZDoom forums. Players are expected to ‘hide behind covers and execute proper breaching techniques to maximise chances of survival.’

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The mod makes several radical changes to Doom’s basic playstyle. Movement is much slower, and the character is significantly more fragile. This change in pace is accompanied by a more realistic approach to combat, where players must manage their resources carefully. The mod introduces real-life firearms with features like ADS (aim down sights) and reloading, with damage and recoil that reflect the calibre, fire-rate, and so forth of each weapon.

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The enemies in Blackout remain classic Doom monsters, but their behaviors have been tweaked to suit tactical gameplay. Attacks are deadlier but take longer to charge, and they can both suppress the player and be suppressed by them. There’s also a stealth and awareness system where gunfire draws monsters to the player’s location, while remaining quiet may enable the player to sneak past enemies unseen.

In motion, Blackout reminds one of Stalker, with relatively slow movement but highly reactive and vicious gunplay. However, this isn’t the inspiration that PKmX cites. The mod actually draws significantly from Crysis, right down to featuring an energy suit inspired by Crytek’s nanosuit. This energy suit features a damage-absorbing energy shield and an ‘adrenaline system’ that provides a speed boost when near death. Additionally, the suit includes a cloaking device which temporarily makes the player ‘almost undetectable’ by enemies.

The emphasis on action and combat in Blackout is evident in its approach to gameplay. While it’s a more methodical shooter than Doom, the mod’s focus remains on intense combat and action rather than strategy and resource management. In fact, a commenter on PKmX’s video asks whether the game will feature magazine management, to which the modder responds, ‘one of the goals of this mod is to avoid becoming an inventory simulator.’

Blackout is an intriguing take on the Doom franchise, offering a fresh perspective on the classic first-person shooter. If you’re interested in trying it out, you can download it via the Doomworld forums. PKmX also recommends several other mods to enhance the experience, including a palette mod to make levels darker, which certainly seems to fit with Blackout’s tone.

The mod’s attention to detail and commitment to realism make it an exciting prospect for fans of tactical military simulations and first-person shooters alike. As the mod continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how it develops and whether it can maintain its current level of quality and authenticity.