DOOM Eternal stands out as a relentless first-person shooter that thrusts you into the boots of the Doom Slayer, battling hordes of demons in a high-octane fight for humanity's survival. Released in 2020, this action-packed title combines blistering speed with strategic depth, making it a staple for fans of intense FPS experiences on PS4 and PS5. With its focus on aggressive combat and resource management, the game rewards quick thinking and precise execution across various dimensions plagued by hellish invasions.
Gameplay
In DOOM Eternal, combat revolves around a push-forward style that keeps you constantly moving and engaging enemies head-on. You wield an arsenal including the Combat Shotgun, Super Shotgun equipped with a Meat Hook for grappling, Heavy Cannon, Rocket Launcher, Plasma Rifle, Chaingun, Ballista, and the iconic BFG 9000. Melee options feature the chainsaw for ammo drops, a retractable Doomblade for glory kills that restore health, and tools like the shoulder-mounted Flame Belch to ignite foes for armor pickups. Movement mechanics enhance agility with dashes, wall-climbing, and swinging on horizontal bars, allowing you to navigate intricate levels while dismantling demons. The destructible demons system lets you target specific body parts to weaken tougher opponents, adding a layer of tactics to the frenzy. A hub called the Fortress of Doom serves as your base for upgrades and unlocking items like the Unmaykr weapon through challenges in Slayer Gates.
Resource management ties directly into survival: glory kills provide health, incinerating enemies yields armor, and chainsawing supplies ammo. This creates a core loop where aggression fuels your power, balanced by adaptive strategies against diverse enemy types. Extra lives appear as 1-up items, offering respawns without reverting to checkpoints on higher difficulties.
Game Modes
The single-player campaign forms the heart of DOOM Eternal, where you traverse dimensions to thwart demonic armies and uncover lore involving factions like the corrupted Union Aerospace Corporation and angelic Maykrs. Battles escalate in complexity, demanding mastery of your full toolkit against waves of foes.
Battlemode introduces asymmetric multiplayer, pitting one Doom Slayer against two player-controlled demons in best-of-five rounds. Demons include the Marauder, Mancubus, Pain Elemental, Revenant, Arch-vile, and Dread Knight, each with unique abilities and summoning options for intense, tactical showdowns.
Horde mode, added later, challenges you to survive escalating enemy waves, testing endurance and skill in a solo format that builds on the campaign's combat foundation.
Updates and Expansions
DOOM Eternal has seen significant post-launch support, including the two-part DLC The Ancient Gods, which extends the story with new missions against formidable threats. Update 6.66 brought Horde mode in 2021, while a 2025 update introduced official mod support, expanding replayability. Next-gen enhancements for PS5 arrived in 2021, offering free upgrades from PS4 versions with improved performance.
As of 2026, the game remains active with its core content intact, complemented by a prequel title released in 2025 that explores earlier events in the series timeline.
Is It Worth Playing?
DOOM Eternal holds up strongly for those who crave fast-paced FPS action, with Metacritic scores reflecting generally favorable reception, such as an 8/10 from GameSpot and 9.25/10 from Game Informer. Reviewers highlight the refined combat, stunning visuals, and Mick Gordon's pulsating soundtrack, though some note the heavier emphasis on narrative and platforming as divisive. It sold over 3 million copies shortly after launch and generated more than $450 million in revenue.
If you enjoy shooters that demand constant motion and clever resource use, this title delivers lasting value, especially with free PS5 upgrades for PS4 owners. For newcomers, the steep difficulty curve might challenge, but it suits veterans seeking a brutal test of reflexes and strategy.
