Doom eternal
Overview
Doom Eternal is a first-person shooter video game developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks. It is the fifth main game in the Doom series and a direct sequel to 2016's Doom. The game was released on March 20, 2020, for Windows, PlayStation 4, Stadia, and Xbox One, with a version for Nintendo Switch being released later in the year.
Gameplay
Doom Eternal continues the series' emphasis on 'push-forward' combat, encouraging the player to aggressively engage enemies in order to acquire health, ammo, and armor. The game introduces several new gameplay mechanics, including wall-climbing, dash moves, and horizontal bars to swing from. The player's arsenal of weapons is also expanded, with many weapons having alternate firing modes and various upgrades available.
The game also introduces a new system called "Destructible Demons", in which enemies' bodies become progressively destroyed and deteriorated in combat as they suffer damage. This system serves both a gameplay and an aesthetic purpose, providing visual feedback to the player on the state of their enemies' health.
Development
Development of Doom Eternal began shortly after the release of its predecessor in 2016. The game was developed by id Software, with Hugo Martin serving as the game's director. The development team aimed to make the game bigger and more ambitious than its predecessor, with more varied environments, deeper lore, and more dynamic combat.
The game's soundtrack was composed by Mick Gordon, who also composed the music for the 2016 Doom. The soundtrack features a mix of heavy metal and electronic music, and incorporates a choir of heavy metal vocalists.
Reception
Upon release, Doom Eternal received critical acclaim, with praise directed at its campaign, graphics, level design, and combat mechanics, though some criticized its increased focus on storytelling and its platforming sections. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 3 million copies within its first month of release.
Legacy
Doom Eternal has had a significant impact on the first-person shooter genre, with its fast-paced, aggressive combat and emphasis on movement influencing other games in the genre. The game's success has also led to the release of two expansion packs, The Ancient Gods - Part One and The Ancient Gods - Part Two, which continue the story of the base game.