DOOM Eternal stands out as a relentless first-person shooter that thrusts you into high-stakes battles against demonic hordes. On the Nintendo Switch, this title delivers intense action where every encounter demands precision and strategy, making it a solid choice for fans of fast-paced combat in a portable format.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around aggressive combat, where you control the Doom Slayer and must constantly move to survive. Health regenerates through glory kills on staggered enemies, while ammo comes from chainsaw executions and armor drops from setting foes ablaze with the flame belch tool. Mobility plays a huge role, with double dashes, wall climbing, and swinging on horizontal bars allowing you to navigate arenas fluidly.
Weapons form the backbone of fights, including the super shotgun equipped with a meat hook for grappling toward targets. Other options like the rocket launcher and plasma rifle come with mods that target enemy weaknesses, such as destroying specific parts to disable attacks. A lives system lets you collect extra respawns, reducing frustration from tough sections, and the Fortress of Doom serves as a hub for upgrades between missions.
Game Modes
The single-player campaign takes center stage, pitting you against waves of demons across varied dimensions in a story-driven progression. Multiplayer arrives through Battlemode, a 2v1 setup where one player as the Doom Slayer faces off against two controlling demons like the Mancubus or Revenant, each with unique abilities and summoning options.
Horde mode, added later, offers endless enemy waves for testing skills in solo runs. These modes emphasize quick reflexes and resource management, with no traditional deathmatch but focused asymmetric battles.
Current State and Updates
Free updates have expanded the experience, introducing Horde mode in 2021 and official mod support in 2025, letting players customize content. The game remains active with community creations, and its DLC expansions like The Ancient Gods add standalone campaigns exploring deeper lore.
On the Switch, the port runs at 720p resolution with a 30 frames per second target, providing smooth performance despite the hardware limits. Recent patches ensure compatibility with modern features, keeping it relevant years after launch.
Is It Worth Playing?
With favorable reception highlighted by scores like 8 out of 10 from GameSpot and 9.25 out of 10 from Game Informer, DOOM Eternal earns praise for its combat depth and level design. Players appreciate the constant progression and challenging encounters, though some note the multiplayer as less engaging compared to the campaign.
If you enjoy shooters that reward aggressive play and tactical decisions, this one holds up well, especially with ongoing mod support. The Switch version suits on-the-go sessions, making it a strong pick for those seeking portable demon-slaying action without major compromises.