View source for Bloom (mod)



{{Infobox video game
| title = Bloom
| image = Bloom cover.png
| caption = 
| developer = Bloom Team
| publisher = 
| designer = Antonio González
| programmer = Antonio González <br /> Virgilio Virzo
| artist = Roberto Julio
| composer = ASCIIMOV <br /> Buio Mondo
| writer = 
| engine = [[List of Doom ports|GZDoom]]
| released = October 31, 2021
| genre = [[First-person shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[macOS]], [[Linux]]
}}
'''''Bloom''''' is a fan-made [[Video game modding|modification]] built on the ''[[Doom (1993 video game)|Doom]]'' source port [[GZDoom]]. It combines elements from ''[[Doom II]]'' (1994), developed by [[id Software]], and ''[[Blood (video game)|Blood]]'' (1997) by [[Monolith Productions]] to create a crossover experience. The mod was developed by the Spanish indie studio Bloom Team and released on [[Mod DB]] on October 31, 2021.

== Gameplay ==
[[File:Bloomsc.jpg|thumb|left|Enemies are hybrids composed of monsters from ''Doom II'' and ''Blood''.]]
Players must navigate each level to reach the exit while overcoming numerous hazards. The mod introduces hybrid enemies that combine traits of monsters from ''Doom II'' and ''Blood'', as well as levels built using design elements from both games. Players can choose between two protagonists, [[Doomguy]] and [[Blood (video game)#Plot|Caleb]], each equipped with unique weapons and abilities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cuzzucoli |first=Delano |date=November 12, 2019 |title=Bloom is a crazy fusion between Blood and Doom |url=https://www.heypoorplayer.com/2019/11/12/bloom-is-a-crazy-fusion-between-blood-and-doom/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815193552/https://heypoorplayer.com/2019/11/12/bloom-is-a-crazy-fusion-between-blood-and-doom/ |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |access-date=December 24, 2020 |website=Hey Poor Player}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Renadette |first=Brian |date=November 1, 2021 |title=BlooM Combines Blood and Doom in One Action Pumped Mod |url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/bloom-mod-combines-doom-blood |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101155705/https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/bloom-mod-combines-doom-blood |archive-date=November 1, 2021 |access-date=November 1, 2021 |website=TechRaptor |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=November 5, 2019 |title=BLOOM: un crossover entre Doom et Blood |url=https://nofrag.com/bloom-un-crossover-en-doom-et-blood/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812011659/https://nofrag.com/bloom-un-crossover-en-doom-et-blood/ |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |access-date=December 24, 2020 |website=NoFrag}}</ref>

In addition to original weapons, the mod adds new ones such as a revolver, grenades, and a flamethrower, alongside graphical improvements including [[voxel]] models and upgraded lighting effects.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coats |first=Kody |date=May 6, 2022 |title=Four Places To Dive Into The Wacky World Of DOOM Total Conversion Mods |url=https://gametyrant.com/news/four-places-to-dive-into-the-wacky-world-of-doom-total-conversion-mods |access-date=May 19, 2022 |website=GameTyrant |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jacquier |first=Clotaire |date=November 3, 2019 |title=Doom plus Blood égale Bloom, une rencontre brutale |url=https://www.gamekult.com/actualite/doom-plus-blood-egale-bloom-une-rencontre-brutale-3050822683.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104212238/https://www.gamekult.com/actualite/doom-plus-blood-egale-bloom-une-rencontre-brutale-3050822683.html |archive-date=November 4, 2019 |access-date=August 23, 2021 |website=Gamekult |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=July 6, 2019 |title=BlooM is een mod waarin Doom en Blood worden gecombineerd |url=https://www.gamekings.tv/nieuws/bloom-is-een-mod-waarin-doom-en-blood-worden-gecombineerd/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202064610/https://www.gamekings.tv/nieuws/bloom-is-een-mod-waarin-doom-en-blood-worden-gecombineerd/ |archive-date=December 2, 2020 |access-date=December 24, 2020 |website=[[Gamekings]] |language=nl}}</ref> ''Bloom'' supports cooperative play and offers five difficulty levels. It is compatible with ''Doom'', ''Doom II'', ''[[Final Doom]]'', ''[[Sigil (mod)|Sigil]]'', and various custom [[Doom modding|WADs]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Santiago |first=Ángel Morán |date=2025-07-13 |title=¿Sabías que en DOOM puedes jugar a clásicos retro como Castlevania, Zelda, Splatterhouse o Star Wars en primera persona? |url=https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reportajes/sabias-doom-puedes-jugar-clasicos-retro-como-castlevania-zelda-splatterhouse-star-wars-primera-persona-1472195 |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=Hobby Consolas |language=es}}</ref>

== Development ==
''Bloom'' was originally conceived and created by Spanish developer Drugod (Antonio González) under the title ''Bloom – Rise of Caleb'', with the initial aim of adding ''Blood'' enemies into the ''Doom'' source port GZDoom. The first gameplay footage was published on Drugod’s [[YouTube]] channel in April 2016.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBQQRVcUFKw |title=Bloom - Rise of Caleb - Blood (Monolith) meets DooM (ID) - First Test zombie |date=2016-04-01 |last=Drugod |access-date=2025-07-28 |via=YouTube}}</ref> To evolve the project into a complete crossover experience, a small group of developers joined him, forming what became known as the Bloom Team. A public demo — featuring four maps, hybrid enemies drawn from both games, and a full soundtrack composed by Buio Mondo,<ref>{{Cite web |title=BLOOM, by Buio Mondo |url=https://buiomondo.bandcamp.com/album/bloom |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=BUIO MONDO |language=en}}</ref> was released on Mod DB on October 31, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-31 |title=Bloom demo ver1 666 (OUTDATED) file |url=https://www.moddb.com/mods/bloom-doomblood-crossover/downloads/bloom-demo-ver1-666 |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=ModDB |language=en}}</ref> The final version launched on Mod DB on October 31, 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-31 |title=Bloom (Doom/Blood crossover) mod |url=https://www.moddb.com/mods/bloom-doomblood-crossover |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=ModDB |language=en}}</ref> expanding the content with nine levels, an original storyline, cutscenes, and an entirely new soundtrack composed by ASCIIMOV.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bloom OST, by ASCIIMOV |url=https://asciimov.bandcamp.com/album/bloom-ost |access-date=February 3, 2022 |website=ASCIIMOV |language=en}}</ref> The source code of the project was later made available on [[GitHub]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Drugod |title=Drugod/BloomProject |date=2025-05-21 |url=https://github.com/Drugod/BloomProject |access-date=2025-07-28}}</ref>

== Reception ==
The mod received praise from [[Jace Hall]], the former CEO and founder of Monolith Productions, who described it as "awesome" on his personal [[Twitter|X]] account.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 3, 2023 |title=Jace Hall on X |url=https://x.com/JaceHall/status/1653571722141114369 |access-date=July 15, 2025 |website=X}}</ref> Dominic Tarason of [[Rock Paper Shotgun|Rock, Paper, Shotgun]] named ''Bloom'' one of the best ''Doom'' mods, calling it "an extremely cool concept" and "a real treat, visually and aurally".<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Tarason|first=Dominic|date=November 25, 2019|title=The best Doom mods of 2019|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/11/25/modder-superior-best-mods-classic-doom-2019/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]}}</ref> Chris J. Capel of [[PCGamesN]] described it as "a ridiculously fun FPS" and a "wonderfully unique hybrid".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Capel |first=Chris J. |date=May 7, 2022 |title=Finally, a Doom vs Quake mod crossover |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/quake/doom-mod-crossover |url-status= |access-date=May 12, 2022 |website=[[PCGamesN]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> Ángel Morán of [[HobbyConsolas|Hobby Consolas]] called ''Bloom'' “the best mod to ever combine ''Doom'' and ''Blood''” and “one of the finest mods ever made for ''Doom''.”<ref name=":1" /> [[YouTube]] game reviewer GmanLives praised the mod's level design, visuals, and atmosphere, describing it as "one of the best ''Doom'' mods ever made".<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=November 6, 2019|title=Mod Corner – Bloom (Doom Meets Blood)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL0YOvsZchA|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222223156/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL0YOvsZchA&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=February 22, 2020 |access-date=December 23, 2020|website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

=== Awards ===
''Bloom'' won the "Best Crossover Mod" and "Best Upcoming Mod" awards from Mod DB in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seamus |date=December 23, 2019 |title=Editors Choice – Mod of the Year 2019 |url=https://www.moddb.com/groups/2019-mod-of-the-year-awards/features/editors-choice-mod-of-the-year-2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223073338/https://www.moddb.com/groups/2019-mod-of-the-year-awards/features/editors-choice-mod-of-the-year-2019 |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=[[Mod DB]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Seamus |date=December 27, 2019 |title=Players Choice – Best Upcoming Mod 2019 |url=https://www.moddb.com/groups/2019-mod-of-the-year-awards/features/players-choice-best-upcoming-mod-2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103024347/https://www.moddb.com/groups/2019-mod-of-the-year-awards/features/players-choice-best-upcoming-mod-2019 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=[[Mod DB]]}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
After the success of ''Bloom'', several games and mods were developed as its [[Spiritual successor|spiritual successors]]:<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 15, 2025 |title=Drugod on X |url=https://x.com/DrugodTV/status/1945094996798984601 |access-date=July 15, 2025 |website=X}}</ref>

* ''Call of the Void,'' a ''[[Quake II]]'' mod that fuses enemies and environments from ''Quake'' and ''Quake II'', echoing the concept pioneered by ''Bloom''. It was released in September 2025 through [[Mod DB]] and [[GOG.com]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lane |first=Rick |date=2025-09-14 |title=This Quake 2 mod bridges the gap between the original game and its sequel, with hybrid enemies including dog-headed parasites and rocket-blasting shamblers |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/this-quake-2-mod-bridges-the-gap-between-the-original-game-and-its-sequel-with-hybrid-enemies-including-dog-headed-parasites-and-rocket-blasting-shamblers/ |access-date=2025-09-14 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-28 |title=Call of the Void (Quake 1/2 Crossover) mod |url=https://www.moddb.com/mods/quake-ii-call-of-the-void |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=ModDB |language=en}}</ref>
* ''QDOOM'', an add-on for ''[[Quake (video game)|Quake]]'' that allows players to experience the first episode of ''Doom'' within the [[Quake engine|''Quake'' engine]], featuring enemies from both games. It was released by [[Bethesda Softworks|Bethesda]] in December 2023 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ''Doom''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Add-on Available: QDOOM for Quake |url=https://slayersclub.bethesda.net/en-US/article/new-add-on-qdoom-quake |access-date=December 18, 2023 |website=slayersclub.bethesda.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2023 |title=DOOM, DOOM II And Quake Just Got New Free Add-Ons, Rip And Tear Today |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/12/doom-doom-ii-and-quake-just-got-new-free-add-ons-rip-and-tear-today |access-date=December 18, 2023 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* ''Voidwalker'', a new standalone [[science fiction]] first-person shooter currently under development.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2023 |title=Drugod on X |url=https://x.com/DrugodTV/status/1736116148679188819 |access-date=December 18, 2023 |website=X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Voidwalker on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2709070/Voidwalker/ |access-date=August 8, 2024 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Doom modding|''Doom'' modding]]
* ''[[Fallout: Bakersfield]]''
* ''[[Brutal Doom]]''
* [[List of crossovers in video games]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.moddb.com/mods/bloom-doomblood-crossover ''Bloom''] at [[Mod DB]]
* [https://github.com/Drugod/BloomProject ''Bloom''] at GitHub
* [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPlTk2HK_FJAYHaAyE5ql5w Bloom Team] YouTube channel
* [https://www.facebook.com/bloomteam666 Bloom Team] on [[Facebook]]

{{Doom series}}
{{Monolith Productions}}


[[Category:2021 video games]]
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
[[Category:Crossover video games]]
[[Category:Dark fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Doom mods]]
[[Category:First-person shooters]]
[[Category:Horror video games]]
[[Category:Linux games]]
[[Category:MacOS games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Sprite-based first-person shooters]]
[[Category:Video game mods]]
[[Category:Video games about demons]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Spain]]
[[Category:Video games with voxel graphics]]
[[Category:Windows games]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Bloom (mod)|access_date=2026-02-27}}