DOOM Eternal Review: 8 Ups & 1 Down

Ups

8. Elevating The Brand & Connecting The Original Games

The question before launch was “how”.

How – after getting the 2016’s “return instalment” so right out of nowhere - could iD POSSIBLY top such a glorious, self-aware celebration of a franchise, whilst continuing to raise the bar AND not introduce anything that stymied that momentum?

Well, by bringing Mick Gordon back, for one, but also by fleshing out DOOM’s lore in a way that officially – AND FINALLY – solidifies a backing for the original titles AND what we have now.

I’m not gonna say how because you NEED to experience this ride spoiler-free, but the fact iD "went there" with all these plans, only gives DOOM a sense of future-proofing that'll no doubt pay off.

Also, know that Eternal doesn’t necessarily tell a STORY if you don’t want it to.

If you just want to play the Slayer as this righteous embodiment of demon-slaying justice and cosmic balance, you can. You’ll still get the major scenes I'm referring to, and a literal handful of other third-person cutscenes, but the bulk of the background lore is told through text entries you'll have to pause and read.

Personally, I love this. It lets you get as invested as you want, walking the line between the chaos-loving carnage of the old-school, and the origin story, connected universe fare of the modern day.