DOOM³ is a Good DOOM Game

People criticize DOOM³ for its deviation from the essence of DOOM. These people say that, because DOOM³ doesn't make you feel as powerful as the previous, or later, games in the series, it doesn't carry the same soul of the other games; in other words, they think the essence of DOOM is a power fantasy. I argue differently. 

Each DOOM game surrounds a single marine slaughtering waves upon waves of demons. I would call "waves upon waves of demons" a fairly insurmountable obstacle. DOOM, however, leans away from despair, and it instead leans hard into making the player feel like these legions of demons are no more than an annoying gnat. 

"But," you say, "you just said that you think DOOM³ fits in with the essence of the other games. How can the horror filled halls of DOOM³ and their oppressive atmosphere do that?" 

Perhaps, you are thinking of DOOM³ in the wrong way. Allow me to clear things up. 

In DOOM³, darkness itself is an enemy that is only weak to your flashlight, which you can only use by itself, without a weapon attached. Every melee attack from your enemies sends your view reeling as if the world was ending. It seems as though even your shotgun works against you. Every single thing in DOOM³ is specifically tuned to make you feel like you have absolutely no chance. I consider myself a bit of a coward, and if you think DOOM³ isn't scary at all, then that's fine.

But, do you know how scared I feel when I'm pinned in a corner, fighting 20 terrifying demons?

And do you know how powerful I feel when I walk away alive?