Doom solidified its legendary status immediately upon release in 1993. The fast-paced shooter was unlike anything gaming had seen before. Its future was uncertain after 2004's Doom 3, and the fourth game languished in development for almost a decade before reemerging as 2016's Doom. The reboot was a smashing success, retaining and updating everything people loved about the classic shooter for modern times.
Since the highly venerated comeback, fans have been patiently awaiting the next game in the series. Doom: Eternal is hitting the market on November 22nd and is shaping up to be another hit. It looks to bring back the demon slaying action everyone loves while also adding a few additions to the formula. Here are five reasons we're absolutely hyped to jump back into the Doom Slayer's shoes, and five things we're still uncertain about.
10 Excited: Doom 2016
It's impossible to overstate the most recent Doom's success and fidelity to the series. It didn't conform to the genre's modern conventions, and instead revived and morphed the original's style to a modern AAA title. The campaign's levels were large battle arenas brimming with demons and secrets.
With one great title under the team's belt, there is no reason to believe they will fumble the ball with their sophomore effort. For anyone who hasn't played it yet, the game is cheaper than it was three years ago and definitely worth experiencing before Eternal comes out.
9 Worried: Invasion Mode
The next game is including social aspects beyond the standard multiplayer modes. One of these is the invasion mode, which allows players to control a demon in another player's game, putting a kink in their demon slaying plans.
The mechanic is reminiscent of Dark Souls, but it has yet to be seen how it will work in action. Will the invading player be stronger than a regular enemy? Will the invader's job be too easy? Thankfully, it can be disabled if it puts a damper on the fun.
8 Excited: Going To Earth
Much like how the reboot was a loose retelling of the original Doom with a more fleshed out story, so will Doom: Eternal trace the same steps as Doom II. It has been more than twenty years since that sequel, so Earth in Eternal will be endlessly more detailed and gorgeous to look at. The new environments will help the game feel fresh, and it is always great to have new places for butchering demons.
7 Worried: No Snapmap
Snapmap from Doom was a promising feature, but didn't live up to its full potential. It should have let players make maps for regular multiplayer modes like deathmatch, making for an endless playlist of new arenas, but the editor was more for creative types to think of innovative ways of utilizing the creation tools.
Unfortunately, instead of improving upon it for the sequel, Id is leaving it by the wayside for Doom: Eternal. While a lot of gamers ignored it, plenty are going to feel its absence come November.
6 Excited: Hugo Martin And Marty Stratton
Hugo Martin and Marty Stratton directed the revival together. It was no simple task, but they succeeded in spades. Fortunately, the two have come back to direct Eternal. Stratton has been with Id since the late '90s, having worked on games like Quake II. Martin joined the company more recently, but clearly understands the company culture and has a deep affinity for the series on which he now works.
5 Worried: Multiplayer
As of now, Eternal is not planned to include traditional multiplayer modes. Instead of the standard deathmatch and capture the flag types, the game will include a competitive component called Battlemode. In this mode, one player takes the reigns of the Doom Slayer while two others control powerful demons. It's an intriguing concept, but it's hard to say for sure if it'll catch on. Experimentation is applauded, but with trying new things comes the risk of failure, and there's no tried and true modes to fall back on.
4 Excited: New Types Of Movement
One standout new feature of the game play is the grappling hook. Levels in the series always contained multiple floors, and this new gadget promises a new way to take advantage of these vertical designs. With the shotgun equipped, players can latch the hook onto enemies and zip right towards them. It'll help make the action even faster than before. True to the game's philosophy, it's designed to throw the player right into the fray, instead of helping them run away.
3 Worried: Not Living Up To Doom 2016
People were excited for the 2016 game from all the trailers, but nothing could have prepared them for what it felt like once they actually picked up the controller. The whole game from start to finish is a visceral experience that pleased both old school fans and those who never played Doom before. Everything from the art to the shooting was masterfully crafted. With such a high bar, one has to worry the sequel won't quite make it. Everyone is rooting for them to do so, but it is certainly a tall order to fill.
2 Excited: More Enemies
Enemy design has always been a standout feature of the games. These demons aren't just humanoids wielding guns; they each have unique combat abilities and way of moving. Eternal promises all the old favorites as well as a whole new set of monsters.
With new demons comes a whole new slew of up close and personal glory kills. A couple of the new enemies shown are redesigns of old enemies from the classic games, and fans are just licking their lips in anticipation of what imaginative designs they have up their sleeves that they've yet to show.
1 Worried: Stadia Version
Doom: Eternal is slated to release on Google's new streaming platform, Stadia. The service claims to be able to run the game smoothly, but it is hard to believe until one actually sees it. While the game has been playable on the platform at select events, a controlled environment like a convention center is a far cry from somebody's home where any number of variables can cause a weakened internet connection. These games require split-second reaction times, and if Stadia cannot replicate the feeling of playing it from one's own computer, then it won't be worth the time or cost.