The new Doom game released in 2018 is Doom Eternal, the highly anticipated sequel to 2016s Doom. Built on id Software’s updated id Tech 7 engine, it delivers larger battles, faster movement, and deeper customization while retaining the aggressive demon-slaying feel that defines the franchise.
Doom Eternal modernizes classic arena shooters with fluid combat, exploratory level design, and a bold heavy metal soundtrack. Veteran director Hugo Martin returns to shape a campaign that connects more emotionally with the Doom Slayer, while introducing new mechanics and systems that reward both aggression and mastery.
| Title | Release Window | Platforms | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doom (2016) | 13 May 2016 | PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch | Reboot of the franchise, reintroduced fast-paced combat |
| Doom Eternal | 20 March 2018 (PC), 23 March 2020 (Switch) | PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Stadia | Direct sequel with expanded mobility and multiplayer |
| Doom: The Ancient Gods | Part One: 1 April 2021; Part Two: 16 June 2021 | PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, Stadia | Final narrative act, new bosses, and mythic storytelling |
Combat Flow And Movement Systems
Platforming And Environmental Design
Doom Eternal emphasizes kinetic combat where movement is both offensive and defensive. Players dash, wall-run, and glide through arenas to maintain pressure on demons while avoiding punishing hitscan patterns. The level design encourages high-speed traversal and rewards experimentation with jumps, slides, and air combos.
Toolkit Mastery And Customization
The marine carries a wide toolkit, including the versatile shotgun, plasma rifle, ballistic chainsword, and transformative Glory Kill mechanic. Customized loadouts, weapon mods, and persistent unlocks across playthroughs allow players to tailor their approach without losing the series emphasis on aggressive, readable encounters.
Campaign Structure And Storytelling
The campaign unfolds across Earth and Hell, alternating between ruined cities and surreal infernal domains. Hugo Martin aimed to make the Doom Slayer’s silence feel intentional, using lore journals, collectibles, and dynamic cutscenes to reveal his history without lengthy exposition. Each chapter introduces new demons, arena layouts, and escalating objectives that reinforce the mythos while keeping action at the forefront.
Multiplayer and cooperative offerings diversify the experience, with Battlemode supporting asymmetric 2v1 gameplay and cooperative modes that extend replayability. Seasonal events and progression provide ongoing goals for players who want shared objectives beyond the main narrative, though the core identity remains tightly focused on single-player spectacle.
Level Design And World Building
Environment art in Doom Eternal leans into baroque-influenced architecture and saturated color palettes to distinguish each realm. Iconic locations like the Fortress of Doom serve as a persistent hub where upgrades and rewards reinforce long-term progression. This approach blends set-piece spectacle with semi-open layouts that invite vertical exploration and secret hunting without obscuring the path forward.
Level pacing balances intense combat sequences with quieter moments for reflection and gear management. Set pieces such as arena battles against powerful bosses punctuate the journey and provide memorable cinematic beats that justify the escalation seen across acts, keeping momentum high and downtime minimal.
Technical Performance And Accessibility
On PC, Doom Eternal supports high resolutions, variable refresh rates, and advanced graphics options that cater to competitive and immersive playstyles. Console releases maintain locked framerates and consistent visual quality, though some players note trade-offs in shadow detail and particle density at native resolution. id Software continues to release patches that refine input latency, stability, and driver optimizations for a wide range of hardware.
Accessibility options include extensive difficulty sliders, toggles for invulnerability during cutscenes, and colorblind modes that improve clarity for critical feedback. While hardcore players may still seek tool-assisted speedrun setups, these improvements broaden the audience without diluting the core challenge or the satisfaction of mastering demanding encounters.
Modernizing The Franchise For Long-Term Engagement
Doom Eternal demonstrates how legacy brands can evolve without losing identity. By refining movement, expanding the toolkit, and weaving story into set pieces, it delivers a premium experience that appeals to both veterans and newcomers alike.
- Master movement mechanics like dash canceling, wall-running, and gliding to control space efficiently.
- Experiment with weapon loadouts and mods to adapt to enemy compositions and arena layouts.
- Explore every corridor and vantage point to uncover secrets that reward you with tokens and upgrades.
- Use the Fortress of Doom as a central hub to manage progression, gear, and unlocks across playthroughs.
- Leverage difficulty sliders and assist options to tailor challenge without sacrificing core combat satisfaction.
FAQ
Reader questions
How does combat in Doom Eternal differ from the 2016 reboot?
Doom Eternal expands on the 2016 reboot by adding dash canceling, wall-running, gliding, and a more aggressive enemy AI that coordinates attacks. The toolkit is larger, traps and environmental hazards are more prominent, and the scoring and movement systems reward constant forward pressure.
What are the main differences between campaign, Battlemode, and cooperative play?
The campaign is a linear narrative experience focused on the Doom Slayer’s journey through Earth and Hell. Battlemode is an asymmetric 2v1 competitive mode where demons hunt the Slayer in arena rounds. Cooperative mode lets two players tackle modified campaign missions with shared objectives and gear progression.
How does the upgrade and progression system work across playthroughs?
Players earn tokens, materials, and unlocks by completing objectives, finding secrets, and finishing challenges. The persistent Fortress of Doom hub allows upgrades to carry over between playthroughs, enabling builds tailored to specific encounters and difficulty tiers.
What technical and accessibility features should players be aware of?
Doom Eternal supports high resolutions, HDR, and variable refresh on PC, while consoles offer stable performance with locked framerates. Accessibility features include difficulty assists, invulnerability during cutscenes, colorblind modes, and remappable controls to accommodate different playstyles.