DOOM Eternal: A Brutal Masterpiece That Redefined the FPS Genre
When it comes to the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, few franchises carry the legendary weight of DOOM. Since the original game’s release in 1993, DOOM has stood as a pioneer, shaping how players experience fast-paced action, demon-slaying carnage, and adrenaline-fueled gunplay. With DOOM Eternal—released in March 2020 by id Software and Bethesda Softworks—the series not only reasserted its dominance but also redefined what an FPS could be in the modern gaming era. Even years after its release, DOOM Eternal remains a fascinating topic to discuss thanks to its gameplay mechanics, artistic direction, and lasting influence on the gaming industry.
A True Evolution from DOOM (2016)
DOOM (2016) successfully rebooted the franchise, blending modern graphics with the relentless speed of classic arena shooters. However, DOOM Eternal went several steps further, transforming the formula into something even more intense and strategic. The developers described the game as “combat chess,” and that phrase perfectly encapsulates the experience.
Unlike most shooters that reward passive cover mechanics, DOOM Eternal forces players to move constantly, juggle resources, and think on their feet. Every weapon, ability, and movement option is part of a carefully crafted ecosystem. Ammo is scarce unless you chainsaw demons. Health is regained through vicious glory kills. Armor comes from setting enemies on fire with the Flame Belch. The result is a cycle of aggressive combat that punishes hesitation and rewards mastery.
The Fluidity of Movement
One of the standout features of DOOM Eternal is its emphasis on mobility. The Doom Slayer is not just a walking tank; he’s a hyper-lethal acrobat. Double jumps, dashes, wall climbs, and monkey bars allow players to soar through levels with unprecedented fluidity. This mobility is not simply cosmetic—it is necessary for survival. Enemies are faster, more numerous, and strategically placed to pressure the player from all angles.
This shift in movement turned DOOM Eternal into something closer to an action-platformer hybrid, where positioning is just as important as firepower. It forced players to rethink how they approached combat arenas, making every encounter feel like a puzzle waiting to be solved with speed and precision.
A Gallery of Iconic Demons
Of course, DOOM wouldn’t be DOOM without its iconic lineup of demons. DOOM Eternal expanded the roster dramatically, bringing back classics like the Arachnotron, Pain Elemental, and Arch-vile while introducing terrifying newcomers. Each demon is designed with specific strengths and weaknesses, encouraging players to use the right tools for the right situation.
Take the Marauder, for example. This enemy quickly became infamous for its punishing difficulty. Unlike most demons that can be overwhelmed with sheer firepower, the Marauder requires patience and precision, only being vulnerable in short attack windows. Love it or hate it, the Marauder symbolizes DOOM Eternal’s commitment to skill-based gameplay and pushing players outside their comfort zone.
Visuals and World-Building
On a technical level, DOOM Eternal is a visual powerhouse. The id Tech 7 engine allowed the developers to craft sprawling environments filled with detail, from the hellish landscapes of Inferno to the futuristic ruins of Earth under demonic invasion. The game’s art direction leaned heavily into heavy metal aesthetics—spikes, fire, blood, and industrial decay—while still finding room for surprisingly beautiful vistas.
The story, often considered secondary in previous DOOM games, takes a more prominent role here. While still intentionally over-the-top, DOOM Eternal explores the lore of the Doom Slayer, the Maykrs, and the eternal battle between Heaven, Hell, and humanity. Some fans loved the expanded narrative, while others felt it distracted from the series’ trademark simplicity. Either way, it sparked discussion, proving that DOOM could be more than just mindless demon-slaying.
The Soundtrack: Pure Adrenaline
It would be impossible to discuss DOOM Eternal without praising its soundtrack. Mick Gordon’s heavy, industrial metal score became the heartbeat of the game, syncing perfectly with the pace of combat. The guttural riffs and pounding rhythms weren’t just background noise—they were fuel for the player, pushing adrenaline to the limit during every battle.
The soundtrack has since become iconic in its own right, inspiring covers, remixes, and even debates when Gordon parted ways with Bethesda after the game’s release. Still, his work on DOOM Eternal stands as one of the most powerful examples of music elevating gameplay in modern video games.
Lasting Impact and Legacy
Even years after release, DOOM Eternal continues to be discussed, modded, and replayed. Its expansions, The Ancient Gods Part I & II, expanded the story and introduced even tougher enemies, solidifying the game as one of the most challenging but rewarding FPS titles ever made.
More importantly, DOOM Eternal influenced how other developers think about combat design. The balance between resource management, movement, and aggressive play created a new standard for what “fast-paced shooter” truly means. It proved that the genre could evolve without losing its core identity.
Final Thoughts
DOOM Eternal is not just another sequel—it’s a statement. It shows that FPS games can still innovate in an era where many shooters feel formulaic. It demands mastery, celebrates chaos, and rewards aggression in a way few games ever achieve. Whether you admire its fluid combat, jaw-dropping visuals, or head-banging soundtrack, DOOM Eternal has carved its place as a modern classic.
For fans of the franchise, it reaffirmed why DOOM remains legendary. For newcomers, it offered an unrelenting introduction to the art of demon-slaying. And for the gaming industry as a whole, it was a reminder that sometimes the old gods of gaming are still the ones worth worshipping.
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