The legions of Hell have been unleashed upon Earth. While this may mirror current global events, we’re referring to the narrative of Doom Eternal (as showcased in the trailer below). With the planet besieged by demonic forces, you, as the Slayer, represent humanity’s last line of defense. This simple premise serves as the foundation for Doom Eternal, the latest installment in the visceral FPS franchise pioneered by John Carmack. (Carmack himself has likened the plots of FPS games to those of adult films: present, but ultimately secondary.) Doom Eternal offers a digital embodiment of current struggles, albeit one where a chainsaw can be readily employed against the invading threat.
Series veterans will find themselves immediately at home. Those seeking a nostalgic warm-up can delve into the remastered Doom 64, included with select editions of Doom Eternal, offering a smooth polygonal experience reminiscent of the Nintendo 64 era. Doom Eternal expands upon the franchise’s core tenets: unrelenting hard rock soundtrack, copious amounts of gore (viewer discretion advised), and intensely kinetic shooter gameplay. This iteration introduces platforming elements. The Slayer can now double-jump and mantle ledges, and even scale select walls in a manner evocative of Lara Croft. While not a defining aspect, the platforming is implemented unobtrusively and remains relatively forgiving.
However, simplicity is not a descriptor applicable to the overall game experience. Doom Eternal presents a significant challenge, even at lower difficulty settings. Players will contend with relentless waves of demonic adversaries, frequently encountering resource scarcity. While the chainsaw provides ammunition replenishment, it requires fuel canisters or a cooldown period. “Glory Kills,” executed via the melee button (R3 on the PS4), allow players to recover vital health by dispatching weakened enemies in a spectacularly violent manner. Despite its punishing nature, Doom Eternal rarely feels unfair. Deaths will be frequent, but overcoming challenges necessitates strategic adaptation. The game features extensive weapon modification options, ranging from grenade launchers for the shotgun to homing missiles for the Railgun, providing ample opportunity for creative destruction.
From a technical standpoint, the game is well-executed. ID Software’s ID Engine 7 powers the experience, and Bethesda Softworks’ decision to delay the release for additional polish appears to have yielded positive results. This approach is preferable to the increasingly common practice of releasing incomplete games requiring post-launch patches. On the PS4 Pro, the frame rate maintains a stable 60 fps, with an estimated resolution of 1440p. As with the Doom 2016-reboot, the ambition evident in the enemy design, level architecture, and environments elevates the overall presentation. At its peak, Doom Eternal evokes an apocalyptic Halo, showcasing breathtaking vistas and colossal enemies reminiscent of God of War. The Xbox One X offers the highest maximum resolution. While Google’s Stadia platform promised native 4K, it ultimately delivers the same resolution as the Xbox One X, but suffers from significantly higher input latency – up to an additional 100 ms, compounding the inherent 94 ms latency of the Xbox One X.
Are there any drawbacks to Doom Eternal? It remains a relatively focused FPS experience catering to a specific audience. Fans of previous entries should consider this a must-have title. However, the intense violence, aggressive hard rock soundtrack, and relentless action may not appeal to players who prefer stealth or strategic depth in their FPS games. Personally, Doom Eternal resonated strongly. It delivered a potent dose of adrenaline, coupled with the right balance of frustration, challenge, and unadulterated entertainment. Little more can be asked of a game.
Let’s raise hell!
