The road to Doom Eternal was long and mysterious. The wait was further extended when it was delayed close to its November release until March. After much patience, the game is finally in fans’ hands, and most are pleased with the result.
While the trailers heavily prepared fans for the Doom Slayer’s journey through Earth, Hell, and lands far beyond, several surprises were still in store for them upon playing. While some of the entries below are hinted at in the promotional materials, only the full title revealed the full extent of their use in the story and gameplay. All in all, Doom Eternal is a package well worth the price tag.
10 The Original Doom Games
The original Doom trilogy made its way to modern consoles recently, but the first two games also managed to sneak their way into Doom Eternal as bonus secrets. The two games used to be on the cutting edge of technology, so it is funny to see them included in a modern title without the game breaking a sweat. To unlock the first game, one must collect all the floppy discs scattered through the levels and use them on a computer in the Doom Slayer’s room in the Fortress of Doom. The second game is found on the same computer and locked behind the password “FLYNNTAGGART.” Modern games will be surprised how well these two titles hold up.
9 Doom Slayer’s Origins
The trailers dance around this, but the game finally reveals the Doom Slayer’s origins. Not every fan was asking for an answer to his background, but those interested in lore will play the game having their thirst for story fully satiated.
This entry won’t spoil it, but just know that it is surprisingly detailed. In fact, it is hard to see where the franchise will go after this game. Whatever they do, we’re sure it will include even more demon-slaying action.
8 Slayer Gates
The levels are brimming with demons to eviscerate. If this still isn’t enough for bloodthirsty players, Slayer Gates present special challenge rooms where an exceptional amount of enemies bombard the player. If the Doom Slayer survives, they are rewarded an Empyrean Key. Collecting all six of these unlocks the Unmakyr, the most powerful gun in the game, which holds infinite ammunition. In addition to these challenges timed secret encounters task players with destroying all the enemies within a certain time limit.
7 Experience Points And Challenges
While not a living game, weekly challenges pop up for those interested in accruing experience points and leveling up. Though these levels have no bearing on gameplay, some appreciate watching numbers go up. The challenges involve killing certain enemies in a certain way or using a particular weapon modification, forcing players to change up their play styles. It is completely optional, but a nice incentive for those who enjoy the meta game of a particular title.
6 Easter Eggs
It would not be a Doom game without its share of secrets. Even though most of the conventional ones are marked on the map, numerous easter eggs populate the levels and the Fortress of Doom.
One can spend an hour alone just browsing through the Doom Slayer’s room, which contains countless allusions to other Id Software franchises and other popular first-person shooter games. Maybe their existence within the game does not make sense, but it is worth it for the laugh.
5 Modifications
Some of the trailers show off several weapon modifications, like the Meat Hook for the Super Shotgun and the missiles for the Heavy Cannon, but it did not express just how deep this feature goes. Most of the weapons feature two modifications, each of which upgrades by spending Weapon Points one earns in the campaign. After fully upgrading a weapon, a challenge unlocks which must be completed to achieve mastery of the modification, finally allowing the player utilize its full potential.
4 Runes
Runes make a return from 2016’s Doom. These boosters assist the player in special ways, and one can have three equipped at one time. Depending on one’s play style, certain Runes will be more useful than others.
One allows players to slow down time in mid-air, while another makes enemies’ stagger last longer for Glory Kills. Some will find several of them completely useless, but the variety means there is something for everyone. Unlike modifications, Runes cannot be upgraded.
3 Ice Bomb
Gameplay trailers heavily showcase the Doom Slayer’s grenade attachment, a shoulder mount which spouts out a grenade upon command. However, the Ice Bomb was kept a secret until now. The weapon, which temporarily freezes most enemies in place for the opportunity to shatter them into a million little icy pieces, is more useful than the Frag Grenade. Like the Flame Belch and the Chainsaw, one needs to use the Ice Bomb tactfully in order best the game’s tougher encounters.
2 Master Levels
There is still plenty to do after beating the game, from collecting all the secrets to engaging in the Battle Mode, a two on one multiplayer mode where one Doom Slayer faces off against two player-controlled demons. One feature which received little attention pre-release was the Master Levels. After beating the game, one can redo certain missions with a significantly increased challenge. At the game’s launch only two were available, but Id has promised to update the playlist in the future with more content.
1 Fast Travel
For the first time in the series’ history, fast travel is a main feature. It is certainly not an open-world game by any stretch of the word, but at the end of each level the game notifies the player that they can zip around to certain locations on the map to pick up secrets they missed. One can even wait until they beat the game to start picking up the collectibles. The main campaign should run the average player anywhere between ten and thirteen hours, going around to collect secrets afterwards should add at least two more to that.
