About
The most downloaded Doom mod of all time with over 10 million downloads. Brutal Doom dramatically overhauls Doom II's gameplay with brutal kill animations, new weapons, enhanced enemy behaviors, and completely reworked combat mechanics. Active since 2010 and still receiving updates — v22 Beta is ongoing as of 2025–2026. Works as a gameplay mod layered on top of any Doom II-compatible IWAD or mapset, and pairs especially well with large megawads like Eviternity II.
Identity
Launch
- Binary
- flatpak
- Options
- run org.zdoom.GZDoom -file brutalv22.pk3 -iwad doom2.wad
- Needs files
-
- Brutal Doom PK3 from ModDB (brutalv22.pk3 or similar)
- Doom II WAD file (DOOM2.WAD — from Steam, GOG, or any legally-owned copy) OR Freedoom Phase 2 (free substitute from freedoom.github.io)
Runtime
- Runs as
- Native Linux
- Proton
- not needed
⚙ Setup notes
Install: GZDoom is installed via Flatpak: flatpak install flathub org.zdoom.GZDoom.
Files: Drop brutalv22.pk3 and your DOOM2.WAD (or freedoom2.wad) into the GZDoom config folder: ~/.var/app/org.zdoom.GZDoom/.config/gzdoom/. This is the directory GZDoom searches for IWADs and PWADs by default — files placed in the bare ~/.var/app/org.zdoom.GZDoom/ will NOT be found.
Heads-up: The GZDoom Flathub package still runs fine but is no longer actively maintained; the ZDoom team now points to UZDoom (AppImage) as the successor port. The Flatpak remains the simplest Game-Mode-friendly option on Deck for now.
Controller: GZDeck is a controller-friendly launcher for all GZDoom mods in Steam Game Mode — highly recommended for managing WAD+mod combos on Deck.
The one thing to know
Supply your own copy: This is a GAMEPLAY MOD, not a standalone game — it requires a Doom II IWAD (DOOM2.WAD) or Freedoom Phase 2 as a free substitute.
Install: Install GZDoom via Flatpak (flatpak install flathub org.zdoom.GZDoom), download brutalv22.pk3 from ModDB, and drop both the PK3 and your WAD into the GZDoom config folder ~/.var/app/org.zdoom.GZDoom/.config/gzdoom/ (the default IWAD/PWAD search path — the bare app folder won't work).
Versions: v21 is the latest finished (Gold) release; v22 is still in public Beta/Test (v22 Test 6, April 2026) and adds new features. Both are freely available on ModDB. Compatible with any Doom/Doom II-compatible mapset.
Maintenance note: The GZDoom Flathub package is no longer actively maintained (UZDoom is the successor port), but it still runs Brutal Doom and remains the easiest Steam Deck setup today.
Controller: Use GZDeck for a Game Mode-friendly launcher that manages WAD+mod combos. Controller support works well via GZDoom's built-in bindings.
Community guides
Write-ups and threads from people who got this (or a similar) game running. deckport links to them — it doesn't reproduce them.
- moddb ModDB: Brutal Doom download page ↗
- github GZDeck — controller-friendly GZDoom launcher for Steam Deck ↗
- github Freedoom Phase 2 — free legal Doom II IWAD substitute ↗
- retrodeck RetroDECK Wiki — GZDoom on Steam Deck: WAD placement & search paths ↗
- doomworld Doomworld — Brutal Doom v22 development thread (latest test builds) ↗
Get the artwork
deckport never hosts game images. Open this game on SteamGridDB, pick
the cover / hero / logo / icon you like, and drop them into the
game folder under .deckport-art/ before you push it to the
Deck. The importer files them under the right names automatically.
Run it on your Deck
Two files: the one-time importer (deckport.py) in your
Deck's home folder, and this game's install helper. Copy the game
into ~/Games and run the helper with Steam closed — it
writes the recipe (binary, launch options)
and registers the shortcut with artwork.