the most terrifying version of DOOM
Released in 2018, Total Chaos was one of the most prominent and acclaimed mods for Doom II, transforming the classic demonic FPS into a psychological horror experience set in an oppressive, grunge-inspired environment. Created by Sam Prebble, the mod offered a complete conversion that reimagined the Doom engine as a survival adventure in a decaying and desolate world. In 2023, Prebble announced that Total Chaos would be rebuilt as a full standalone title, unveiling its first trailer during the PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted event.
Currently, players can access a playable demo on Steam, which serves as an introduction to this new version of the game. Instead of opting for the traditional early access model, the developer has decided to release a demo that represents his personal vision for the project.
As he explained, he prefers not to be overly influenced by community feedback to avoid straying from the elements that made the original mod so successful. “I don’t want to go too far in one direction and change what people liked about the mod,” he stated.
Although the main setting remains the same—an abandoned offshore mining colony inspired by the Japanese island of Hashima—the new Total Chaos is not a direct copy of the mod. The level design has been deepened and expanded, so players will recognize certain spaces, but will soon discover new areas, alternative routes, and completely original environments.
The goal is to offer an experience that evokes the familiar, but that constantly evolves. Initially, Prebble tried to build a fully interconnected map, but ultimately opted for a more linear design, considering that constantly returning to already explored areas slowed the game's pace and reduced the dynamism of the progression. One of the most surprising revelations from the interview with Prebble is that, despite having created a highly atmospheric horror mod, he hasn't played key titles of the genre like Silent Hill or Resident Evil.
This makes Total Chaos a work with a very personal approach, without direct influence from the most well-known references in survival horror. During the opening of the OTK Games Expo, a new trailer was presented that allows players to delve into the universe of Fort Oasis: a desolate mining outpost affected by a supernatural presence. In this standalone version, Total Chaos is described as an “atmospheric and frenetic nightmare” that combines elements from various eras of survival horror, including resource management, methodical melee combat, and striking visual design.
Players take on the role of a coast guard who arrives at Fort Oasis after receiving a mysterious walkie-talkie transmission. The game challenges the player both physically and psychologically: vital signs must be monitored, food must be obtained, healing must be addressed, and sanity must be maintained. Madness is a constant threat, and when it takes hold of the character, the world begins to distort: hidden passages appear, walls shift, and the perception of reality becomes uncertain. Ammunition is scarce, and firearms are limited. To survive, it will be necessary to scavenge through scrap and create improvised weapons such as axes or hammers.
