The release of the first major shooter of 2020 is just around the corner: on March 20, DOOM Eternal will be released. What you need to know about the new, brutal shooter before purchasing it will be revealed here.
With DOOM Eternal, the famous series continues and expands. However, the game is not only worth it for long-time fans of the series. Newcomers can experience a shooter here that is somewhat different from the current AAA shooters like Call of Duty, Fortnite, or The Division 2.
The following information aims to inform you about what to expect in DOOM Eternal.
1. What is DOOM Eternal?
DOOM Eternal is the latest installment in the DOOM series, known for its action-packed gameplay,
brutal scenes, and tough challenges. DOOM Eternal follows the same path, but with even more intensity.
The story is quickly explained:
- The Earth has been overrun by demons from Hell, and humanity has been largely subjugated.
- You play as a Doom Slayer (or “Doomguy”), the enemy of all demons, who is returning from a mission on Mars (DOOM (2016)) and is now freeing the Earth.
Although the story initially seems simple, DOOM Eternal actually offers quite a bit of story, as one of the first trailers has shown. While it may seem secondary, it adds depth to the entire experience.
Gameplay summarized:
- DOOM Eternal primarily focuses on action and tactics.
- You constantly face an overwhelming horde of demons wanting to take you down and must eliminate them. There will be no rest until the last one is down.
- It is important how (and sometimes when) you kill them because certain methods grant rewards like armor, ammunition, or health points.
The focus of DOOM Eternal is clearly on these battles, which are tough from the start. All enemies have their own behavior patterns and can give you a run for your money even on the easiest difficulty setting. I myself died in Level 1, but it was awesome.
2. There is a special multiplayer mode
DOOM Eternal offers some features that are designed to keep you entertained for a long time. One of them is the multiplayer mode “Battlemode”. This is an asymmetrical arena: two demons fight together against one Slayer.
The goal of both parties is to eliminate the other. Both demons and the Slayer have different abilities at their disposal:
- The Slayer has access to all weapons and skills, which he must collect throughout the campaign.
- He can also use various items on the map, like teleporters, jump pads, and swing bars.
- Demons have special abilities and can summon minions.
- The minions pose a danger to the Slayer and are also the source of ammunition, armor, and health points – a match can thus last indefinitely.
For a better insight, we have embedded some gameplay from the Battlemode for you:
Matches are played on various maps, some of which even feature environmental hazards like slowing slime or burning rooms. In each round, it is important to gain a tactical advantage in order to win.
The Battlemode fundamentally differs from known multiplayer modes like deathmatch (which was even introduced by DOOM 1993) and thus also from most familiar shooters. It is unique, and any fan of multiplayer shooters should be eager to try it out.
3. DOOM Eternal has top ratings on Metacritic
After the embargo lifted on Tuesday, March 17, at 3:00 PM, dozens of gaming sites around the world published their reviews of DOOM Eternal. The shooter scores exceptionally well.
We have summarized the reviews from Metacritic here for you, but the results speak for themselves (as of March 18 at 11:11 AM):
- PC: 89/100 points (via Metacritic)
- PS4: 87/100 points (via Metacritic)
- Xbox One: 90/100 points (via Metacritic)
- Google Stadia: Not yet available
What is particularly praised
Critics often mention how well DOOM Eternal challenges players. While the difficulty increases with more and tougher enemies, players also learn more and gain new skills.
Thus, the learning curve rises almost linearly with the challenge, keeping it tough and exciting until the end. This is all garnished with atmospheric heavy metal and graphically appealing bloodbaths that perfectly match the slaughter wreaked.
The long-term motivation is also a point that is often emphasized. There are many things to unlock (cheat codes, records, cosmetics), progression systems (like skills and runes), the multiplayer, and the DOOM Fortress – a fortress in space that the Slayer inhabits and builds throughout the game.
The only criticism so far: Some enemies can interrupt the flow of gameplay when they appear, as they require special attention. This can be slightly bothersome in places, but for the majority of the game, it hardly stands out.
Full reviews of DOOM Eternal can be found with our colleagues at GameStar and GamePro, or check out this review video from GameStar:
4. What editions are available for purchase?
There are three different editions of DOOM Eternal in the now commonly represented variants: Standard, Deluxe, and Collector’s Edition.
What does the Standard Edition include?
- The base game.
What does the Deluxe package include?
- the Year-One Pass with 2 campaign add-ons
- a skin for the Slayer (demonic Slayer)
- the Classic Weapons Sound Pack
What does the Collector’s Edition include?
- the Deluxe Edition in an exclusive steelbook
- a full-size replica of the DOOM Slayer helmet
- a playable cassette tape as well as download codes for lossless versions of the original soundtracks for (2016) and DOOM Eternal
- the DOOM Lore Book with special artwork
- a “The Gift of Argent Power” lithograph
DOOM Eternal purchase and prices
On which platforms is DOOM Eternal available? DOOM Eternal is available for PC (via Bethesda.net and Steam), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Google Stadia. There is no pre-order for Stadia yet. You can find links to the shops for the other versions below:
PC
- DOOM Eternal inkl. Metal Plate (Exkl. bei Amazon) [PC] [Exklusiv bei Amazon]* for €69.99
- DOOM Eternal - Deluxe Edition [PC]* for €84.99
- DOOM Eternal - Collectors Edition [PC]* for €229.99
Xbox One
- DOOM Eternal inkl. Metal Plate [Xbox One] | kostenloses Upgrade auf Xbox Series [Exklusiv bei Amazon]* for €69.99
- DOOM Eternal - Deluxe Edition [Xbox One] | kostenloses Upgrade auf Xbox Series* for €89.99
- DOOM Eternal - Collectors Edition [Xbox One]* for €229.99
PS4
- Standard Edition in the PS Store* for €69.99
- Deluxe Edition in the PS Store* for €99.99
- DOOM Eternal - Collectors Edition [PlayStation 4]* for €229.99
*The links are affiliate links. We receive a small commission on purchases made through these links.
All editions also come with a free version of DOOM 64.
Pre-orders placed by March 20 will receive the following bonuses:
- a “DOOT” skin for the Revenant in Battlemode
- a retro skin for the combat shotgun
- the Cultist Base master level
5. Who should play it, who should steer clear?
You should play DOOM Eternal if:
- you are looking for a challenge and can endure it – DOOM Eternal is really tough
- you are eager to try a new shooter
- you are interested in the Battlemode with its new approach
- action and great gameplay are more important to you than realism and story
- you want to see demons having their arms ripped off only to be stabbed with their own stumps
- you are a fan of the DOOM series
If you are not familiar with the DOOM series, it may still be worth your while to check out Eternal. While the story builds on previous installments, the game primarily focuses on action.
You will also be well entertained if you can ignore the story and engage in the gameplay. You can enjoy several hours of campaign progression and then even jump into the Battlemode to compete with other players.
If you would consider yourself more of a “casual” gamer, don’t be put off by the difficulty. The entry into DOOM Eternal is intense, but it gets better over time. You just have to be able to bite through the start a bit.
You should steer clear of DOOM Eternal if:
- you get frustrated quickly with difficult games
- you can’t handle large hordes of enemies
- you don’t like bloody splatter scenes
- there are children in the house and you can’t prevent them from watching
- you value realism over pure action
Since DOOM Eternal is particularly characterized by its intensity and brutality, the game is not suitable for children and can quickly frustrate players who can’t handle the rising difficulty.
If you also need realism in your shooters, then this is not the game for you. While you do need to think tactically, DOOM Eternal is something completely different from tactical or realistic shooters like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Rainbow Six, or Ghost Recon.
