I’ve played countless Doom engine games, so believe me when I say this one that combines the FPS with JRPG combat might be the coolest one in 30 years
End of Starchild, a free, standalone game created by musician and indie developer Em Essex, combines first-person shooter gameplay with JRPG-style combat mechanics using the classic Doom engine. According to PC Gamer’s writer—an experienced Doom game expert who has covered the franchise and its modding community for years—this hybrid approach represents one of the most innovative projects built on the Doom engine in three decades.
The game demonstrates the continued relevance of the Doom engine as a foundation for creative independent game development. By blending FPS and JRPG genres within the classic engine framework, Essex’s creation showcases how indie developers can reimagine gaming experiences using decades-old technology. The project illustrates the technical and creative possibilities that emerge when modern game design sensibilities are applied to retro gaming foundations.
The existence of End of Starchild further demonstrates the ongoing vitality of the Doom modding and development community, which continues to produce significant and innovative works more than three decades after the original game’s 1993 release.