Doom Eternal was released on March 20, 2020, arriving at an incredibly strange time. Five years ago, the world was put on hold as the spread of COVID-19 had officially been deemed a pandemic, triggering lockdowns all over the world. For those who were struggling to manage the sudden stop of normal life, video games became a popular pastime, and Doom Eternal brought some serious action to the table.
Now, the pandemic feels long gone, but gaming has been booming ever since. Before everything was put on pause, Doom Eternal was already highly anticipated. The lockdown gave both longtime fans and brand-new gamers looking for a way to spend their time the opportunity to jump into one of the franchise’s most over-the-top entries yet. Following up its 2016 predecessor was no easy task, and while the game made some divisive deviations from the last entry, it continues to be a showcase of just how insanely action-packed Doom can be.
Five Years Ago, Doom Eternal Gave Players an Unapologetic Demon Killing Spree
Doom Eternal Subverted the Expectations Set By Doom 2016
One of the most obvious changes from 2016’s Doom was the drastic tone shift. Doom was more reserved and had an overall darker energy to it that was balanced with some clever humor. Doom Eternal, on the other hand, dove deep into the cheesy, over-the-top nature of its premise, turning it into an ultra-violent experience that felt somewhat reminiscent of an action-fueled B-movie. It was a switch-up that didn’t sit well with every single player, but for those who enjoyed this change of pace, Doom Eternal turned out to be a wild and fun ride through hell.
Note:
Doom Eternal sold 3 million copies within its first month.
A Tonal Shift Isn’t All That Doom Eternal Brought
Doom Eternal also brought a lot of platforming to the forefront, which some either loved or found disruptive. Over the years, Doom hasn’t exactly been regarded as a huge platformer, so making it a central part of the gameplay was always going to be a risk. However, there are definitely some moments where the platforming can feel incredibly fun, as it takes the franchise’s level designs to even greater heights.
While 2016’s Doom was a powerful way to reboot the franchise, Doom Eternal was an enthusiastic exploration of experimentation. Not every change landed with every single player, but it was exciting to see how much fun iD Software had with designing the gameplay and world.
Setting the Stage For Doom’s Next Big Shake-Up
- Doom: The Dark Ages is set to launch on May 15, 2025.
- This entry serves as a prequel to Doom 2016.
- As the name suggests, Doom: The Dark Ages takes place in a medieval demon-riddled setting.
- This prequel introduces features like a saw-blade shield, dragons, and mech suits.
Doom: The Dark Ages is one of the most anticipated games of the year, and if Doom Eternal didn’t take its chances, then this medieval prequel may not be possible. Doom: The Dark Ages continues the experimentation, and it’s looking to be one of the franchise’s most exciting entries yet. Of course, the game’s launch will ultimately determine its success, but the inclusion of things like melee-focused combat and giant mech suits is a thrilling idea.
Note
Doom: The Dark Ages will be available on Xbox Game Pass. The game will not feature multiplayer.
Doom Eternal may have been divisive with longtime fans, but it also proved that embracing over-the-top fun in a dark setting can be an incredibly entertaining time. Now that Doom: The Dark Ages is on the way, Doom Eternal‘s legacy is marked by its developer diving into the unknown and allowing the series to have fun with itself.
Preorder Doom The Dark Ages
