The multiplayer mode of DOOM Eternal is something completely new that shooter fans should definitely dive into. The Battle Mode introduces a new type of multiplayer.
On March 20, DOOM Eternal will be released for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Google Stadia. Here you will have to send hordes of demons back to hell as the badass “Doomguy”.
However, DOOM Eternal comes not only with a solo mode but also with multiplayer. It will be different from what has been experienced in DOOM since 1993, and even quite different from what the shooter genre has known so far.
In DOOM Eternal, the developers are trying to take a completely new approach to multiplayer. This could shape the entire genre once again.
After the review embargo has lifted, the first tests for the new DOOM installment are already out. Read here how the international press rates it:
Battlemode – The multiplayer mode of DOOM Eternal
The mode that currently represents multiplayer in DOOM Eternal is the Battlemode. This is an asymmetrical mode. This means: Two players team up against a single player.
The Battlemode is part of the endgame content for players looking for a competitive experience. The developers have already released a video overview:
How does the mode work?
In Battlemode, two demons (the “opponents” in the game) face off against a fully equipped Slayer (the series protagonist) in a small arena. How far your progress in the campaign is does not matter: You have full access to the entire arsenal.
The game is played on various maps, all uniquely structured. They offer certain features such as:
- Swings
- Teleporters
- Jump Pads
- Deadly environmental hazards
Movement features like the teleporters and jump pads are only available to the Slayer. The demons must rely on their own abilities.
This is how a match goes: The games are a “Best-of-5,” meaning the first team to three victories wins. For the demons, it is enough to kill the Slayer. The Slayer must kill both demonic opponents.
However, he only has 20 seconds to do so after the first demon is killed. If he does not succeed in that time, the first demon respawns. This continues indefinitely until a team is victorious. There is no time or point limit.
To ensure the Slayer does not run out of lives or ammunition, NPC enemies continuously spawn, which he can take down with certain kills (like the chainsaw) to replenish his resources.
The demons have unique abilities that allow them to heal, impede the Slayer, or summon additional minions.
Between rounds, demons and the Slayer can choose “Perks” that remain active for the rest of the match. These enhance abilities or grant new skills.
What are demons and slayers?
What the Slayer can do: The Slayer (often called “Doomguy”) is one of gaming’s iconic figures and the protagonist of DOOM.
He is a super-soldier equipped with various abilities that can easily classify him as a “badass.” Alone, he frees worlds from the hell demons and faces their bosses.
He utilizes a large arsenal of weapons such as shotguns, rifles, chainsaws, grenades, and flamethrowers and is anything but gentle. Upon seeing a demon, he kills it as efficiently as possible and often in a bloody manner. He is rightly feared among the denizens of hell.
In multiplayer mode, you play as a Slayer who has already reached the peak of his performance. He has access to all the weapons, skills, and upgrades available in the game.
You are thus possibly the most powerful human ever, but you also need to know how to handle that power. Many abilities such as dashes, double jumps, and grappling hooks should be learned and mastered in the campaign before you can face off against two large demons. This process can take a while and can be quite tough.
What the demons can do: Demons are the opponents of the Slayer, creatures from hell trying to subjugate our world. They are the “bad guys,” and you can play as them.
There are various types of demons. In Battlemode, we currently know:
- Mancubus
- Pain Elemental
- Revenant
- Marauder
- Archvile
In the gameplay presentation, the developers mentioned that the demons are somewhat “classes” that players can choose from. They have different tasks, such as
- Tank
- Damage
- offensive supporter
Each demon has unique abilities that make them special. Some can fly and create shields, while others create firewalls or damage areas to deny the Slayer access to certain zones.
Additionally, they share the selection of minions they can summon and some perks that they can choose during a match. For example, starting from round 3, demons have the option to summon a Baron of Hell. Some abilities have already been showcased in videos. They can even deny the Slayer the ability to replenish his resources.
According to the developers, it is important for the demons to work together and combine their abilities to win. This is meant to create different dynamics and numerous metas available, allowing strategies in multiplayer to never stagnate.
Gameplay of the Battlemode
At PAX East 2020 in Boston, Art Director Hugo Martin and Executive Producer Marty Stratton showcased a lot of footage and videos about the Battlemode. Although the video runs for almost an hour, it shows several matches, demons, maps, and strategies. If you want to get a better picture of the Battlemode, you should at least check out some parts of it. We have embedded it here for you:
The contents of multiplayer
In Battlemode, there is no real progress in the sense that you have to earn new weapons and skills. Instead, there are cosmetic contents that you can unlock:
- Skins for the Slayer, demons, and weapons
- various “pedestals” on which your character is displayed at the start
- special rewards from events
The events are meant to represent a kind of season, which may even hint at an upcoming battle pass. However, we only know for certain that DOOM Eternal is supposed to continuously receive a flow of content like an MMO and that there will be challenges (monthly and weekly). A preview of the cosmetics can be found here:
The future of multiplayer
According to the developers, the multiplayer of DOOM Eternal will be supported for years to come. Therefore, there will certainly be new contents, and probably not just cosmetics.
There are no official statements yet, but we suspect that things could come such as:
- more game modes (possibly including deathmatch again)
- new weapons, perks, and maps
- additional demons to expand the roster – Two new ones were already presented during development:
Additional multiplayer modes in DOOM Eternal
This additional mode exists: We already know from the developers that there is an “Invasions” mode. It works similarly to the Battlemode or the invasions in Dark Souls, but has a direct impact on the campaign:
- Those who decide to participate in invasions can be attacked by other players
- Hostile players control demons like in Battlemode to make it harder for the Slayer in the campaign
- Unlike in Battlemode, the Slayer must combat with the weapons he has
- However, the Invasions mode will not be active at the release of DOOM Eternal. It will be introduced a bit later.
The colleagues at GameStar have already had the opportunity to take a longer look at DOOM Eternal and test it before release. The embedded video provides further information about how good the shooter is:
Is there a coop mode? The two demons play together in a team against the Slayer. Players are free to team up with friends in a private match.
Private matches grant the same progress as quick matches or other modes. In them you then play in groups of three and can just play a bit together without being disturbed or playing with strangers.
Another function, such as a coop campaign, is currently not planned.
Why is there no classic deathmatch? In the predecessor DOOM (2016), there were various modes like deathmatch and capture the flag. These have been omitted in Eternal.
As reported by GameStar, this is because the feedback from players was not particularly good. Thus, a new mode was meant to be created.
It is also quite possible that competitors like Call of Duty are simply better alternatives for such partially tactical game modes now.
The original DOOM from 1993 actually introduced the deathmatch mode and revolutionized the shooter genre. With DOOM Eternal, another new mode comes that could achieve the same.
What makes the Battlemode so special?
- Asymmetrical 2v1 gameplay
- More “personal” through close-range fights in a small arena without teams
- Various demons offering “classes” and unique abilities
- This allows for many different combinations and tactics
- Diverse rounds for demon and Slayer players
- No fixed “meta,” as it can change with every combo
- NPCs representing an important resource for both sides
- Different prerequisites – It is not a “shootout” where certain chances prevail, but everything depends on the skill of the players
- Vertical and fast movements play a larger role
Differences to other shooters
The interplay of asymmetrical arena combat, NPCs, resources, classes, and skills makes the Battlemode special. No larger shooter has attempted to design its multiplayer in this way so far.
To illustrate this a little, we have made some comparisons with currently popular shooters.
How the Battlemode differs from CoD: Call of Duty focuses heavily on realism with the new Modern Warfare. As a result, the entire gameplay is significantly more tactical.
This is also evident in the various multiplayer modes of the new shooter. Many variants are based on players pursuing a strategy and playing together.
Only smaller modes like 1v1 duels or 2v2 shootouts are comparable to Battlemode – here, however, there is a lack of classes and abilities. Each player plays as a soldier with the same conditions. What they make of it is up to them.
Additionally, Call of Duty is slower than DOOM. Although the time to kill an opponent is much shorter, the soldiers do not run as fast as demons or the Slayer. In DOOM, you need to adapt much more quickly and continuously to new situations.
How the Battlemode differs from Fortnite: Fortnite caters to a completely different genre and clientele than DOOM primarily addresses.
The PvP mode Battle Royale relies on massive battles with 100 players on a huge map. It is less personal since various opponents can appear everywhere, and there are no respawns.
The forgotten PvE mode “Save the World” also has classes and some similarities with DOOM due to attacking zombies, but it measures against the corresponding PvP aspect.
How the Battlemode differs from Overwatch: With its various heroes, Overwatch already has similar classes to those that demons in DOOM promise.
Nonetheless, Overwatch focuses heavily on team play. Although a personal fight in a small arena is represented as an arcade mode, it is not the core of the game.
With its event modes like “Junkenstein’s Revenge”, Overwatch is already somewhat close to the Battlemode of DOOM. It is an asymmetrical battle of multiple characters with special abilities against one (and sometimes several) particularly strong opponents and fewer minions.
A PvP variant of such a mode could even come quite close to the Battlemode. However, Overwatch lacks the dark atmosphere of DOOM as well as the resource management that makes the asymmetrical battle unique.
If you are still contemplating a purchase, you can find answers here to questions that may be important to you:
