2016’s DOOM is not just the only game that Tech Advisor deems to write out in all caps (come on, it deserves it), it’s also a fantastic example of how to reinvent a classic franchise. That’s why we’re so damned excited about upcoming sequel DOOM Eternal, which promises to reinvent that reinvention.
The game is just days away now, so here’s everything we know so far, from the latest trailers to story hints, new demons, and brand-new multiplayer modes.
We’ve also played the game ourselves, so read our hands-on preview to find out what we think.
When will DOOM Eternal be released?
DOOM Eternal was set for a November release, but it was delayed until 20 March 2020. That’s real soon though.
The upshot of the delay is that Bethesda is also releasing a port of DOOM 64 on the same day, and will throw in a free copy for anyone who pre-orders Eternal. You can pre-order it right now.
Which platforms will DOOM Eternal be on?
DOOM Eternal will support not only PC, Xbox One and PS4 at launch, but also the Nintendo Switch – though there’ll be an extra wait for the Switch version.
What should we expect from the gameplay?
DOOM Eternal is a sequel set after the events of 2016’s DOOM, and while not much is known about what the ins-and-outs of the story, we do know that it takes place in part on an Earth overrun by the forces of Hell. We can also confirm that gamers will be spending some time in space on Phobos, the innermost moon of Mars, as well as Mars itself, along with a return to Hell and even a trip to Heaven.
That means a lot more variety to the campaign, and a lot more emphasis on story, something that was apparent when we played through the first few hours in January, during which we fought through a Hell-stricken Earth, the mysterious Sentinel world of Exultia, and a frozen cultist base in the Arctic.
In terms of actual gameplay, DOOM Eternal plays much like its predecessor, packed with fast-paced, violent and gory battles with hellish demons of all shapes and sizes.
Bethesda has confirmed one little titbit; there will be twice as many varieties of demons as there were in the first title, and based on early gameplay footage seen at the top of this article, we can confirm that Cacodemons, Barons of Hell, Revenants, and Mancubi are all returning, along with new enemies like the Pain Elemental or the half-tank Doom Hunter.
There will be a large selection of weaponry available, both returning weapons and entirely new ones. Returning weapons have been tweaked and revamped, with some receiving new functions while others get a facelift.
There are new gameplay modes too. Invasion mode lets online players jump into the single-player campaign as a demon with the aim of hunting you down and killing the main player. You can go it alone, or you can party up with friends and hunt down a poor unsuspecting player hacking-and-slashing their way through the campaign. Invasion will release as a free update shortly after the main game comes out.
Along a similar line, Battle Mode is a 2v1 multiplayer death match where one player controls a fully loaded Doom Slayer, while the other two step into the hooves of a selection of five demons: the Revenant, Mancubus, Pain Elemental, Arch-Vile, and Marauder. The demon players get all the moves of the demons from the campaign, in addition to the ability to drop hazards and AI demons, or even temporarily block the Slayer from picking up new resources.
Watch the trailers and gameplay videos
When Bethesda announced DOOM Eternal at E3 2018, only a short trailer was shown. You can see this below:
Then, at E3 2019, Bethesda treated fans to a brand-new gameplay trailer, showcasing more of what fans have come to expect from the series.
January 2020 – just two months before the game’s March release – brought us another story trailer, this one teasing the fall of Earth, the battle between Heaven and Hell, and a rather rad looking new sword:
And then we got the launch trailer, our last epic glimpse of the game before it’s unleashed in all its bloody, metal glory: