Doom has always done one thing right, which keeps us coming back every time they release a new one, and that’s fast-paced, heart pumping action. Okay, so we’re only three games into what I would consider the reboot series, if you include the Doom VFR title that came out in 2017, but still, I’m back, playing the Doom Slayer, wielding a host of awesomely devaastating firepower, and I’m absolutely loving the living HELL out of Doom Eternal.
So let’s get what I would coniser the least important thing out the way, the story. There’s not much of one on the surface. You play as the Doom Slayer, once again you’re tasked with saving mankind. Eternal is based two years after the previous game. The Doom Slayer is transported to Earth, with a host of new weaponry to fight demonic forces from Hell after they’ve wiped out around 60% of the planet. Now for those of you that want story, and I know there’s a few of you out there, there’s a whole host of lore available to you in the form of writing. The codex opens up and you find pieces of lore information in the world. This isn’t for me, I’m just here to blow shit up.
So let’s not waste more time and talk about the combat. As I said at the start, it’s fast, and it’s only made to feel faster by the awesome heavy metal soundtrack thrashing out in the background while you zoom around each battle arena. It’s a Doom game through and through, but it has got its improvements from Doom 2016. They’ve included new ways to traverse the landscape, like a quick burst of speed which can be used to zip through the air or across the ground. There’s also poles, which can be used to swing from to give you a boost up to higher ledges. This new verticality gives the game a new challenge, and gives you more ways to outsmart the demons.
What surprised me the most when I came across my first enemies, though to be honest with you, was about 13 seconds before I found zombies attacking me and a shotgun in my hand, is how cartoony the enemies looked and how bright the HUD and collectible items are. By comparison, Doom (2016) seemed very gritty. It was dark, gruesome and at times it was scary. Zombies shuffled towards you and they looked and felt like the walking dead with rotting flesh and blood dripping down their bodies. Don’t get me wrong, Doom Eternal still has these popular features, but now, as an example, when you glory kill a regular zombie, they pull a horrified facial expression, or when you glory kill an Arachnotron, they scream in fear before you plunge its own claw into its eye.
The same for the Cacodemons, which are introduced very early on in the game. Glory kill these, and you get a cartoony balloon stroke – you know, when you rub your hands around a balloon and the friction from your hands make a noise – and a bubblegum pop sound effect when you burst their single eyeball. Blood splatters everywhere when you do though, which is where the gruesomeness comes in, but Doom Eternal has lost its horror edge. Gore remains though, and it was most notable when I fought the Mancubus, or Mancubi? There’s lots of them. These guys take a decent amount of ammo to take down, and each shot knocks a bit more of its flesh off its body every time until it’s literally a red fleshy exterior. There are quick ways of taking down the bigger enemies though. You can shoot the Revenant’s cannons off their backs, the Mancubi’s cannons from their arms or the cannon from the Arachnotron to weaken it.
Now I want to talk about the new arsenal you’re able to use. The main guns in this game are pretty much the same as Doom 2016, though there are some surprises later on in the game. For now though let’s talk about the weapons that are essential to surviving your battles. The new flamethrower shoulder mount is used to spawn armour shards from enemies, while the chainsaw, although from Doom 2016 now recharges, and is used to burst ammo from the enemies you saw in half. Lastly, are the different grenades, most notably, the frost grenade which freezes enemies in place to open them up for a glory kill. Because the battles are so reliant on these added weapons, it makes the combat feel more frantic, rather than being able to rely on your unlimited ammo pistol like before. Run out of ammo, and you’ll be looking for a fodder enemy like a soldier, imp or zombie to saw. Need health? Get a glory kill. It keeps the player in the action for longer, rather than cowering round a corner and picking off enemies one by one.
Because Doom Eternal is located on Earth, we’re treated to a brand new backdrop. I must admit the red sandy dunes and grey metal structures of Doom 2016, by the end got a little tiring. But Earth treats us to jungle like temple ruins or snowy mountain peaks. It’s just refreshing on the eyes, and was a little exciting, wondering where your going to go next. Oh, and there is your space ship, which to be completely honest with you, is pretty lackluster, and there’s not much to do here. It acts as a hub between missions, but rarely does more than just pick up a new gun or give you a new tutorial. You can collect secrets during missions though, and some of those secrets are soundtracks which can be played when in the hub if you activate their wall displays.
Everything about Doom Eternal feels like its improved upon since Doom 2016, and for that, it makes this game one of the more exciting titles to play in 2020 so far. If you’ve not played a Doom game before, it doesn’t matter. The story is pretty much in the background, so if you’re a casual player, you can just jump in for the action packed adventure that Doom Eternal has to offer. It’s frantic, and it’s a rush. It’s brilliant. Go play it now. Better yet, go get a copy on Steam. Shameless plug. But oh well, I’m the God damn Doom Slayer!
