Doom Eternal (Multi)
By: Bethesda
IF EVER a game was aptly named for its release date, the latest in the Doom franchise drops just as the world is sadly all stocked up on the real thing. But for some pandemic escapism, what better than some point 'n' shoot action against Satan's succubi?
2016's Doom was a handsome reboot of the blasting legend. Though its multi-player was dead on arrival, the solo campaign offered bloat-free running 'n' gunning through some blistering action and gooey monsters that proved we'd come a long way from the pixelated 1993 original. And now the eagerly awaited sequel – essentially a do-over with go-faster stripes – offers up more popcorn grade, down 'n' dirty joy.
With more of the franchise's trademark large-scale arena blasting, the name of the game here is to keep moving and keep slaughtering – filling hellspawn with lead and plasma in a merry dance through demon meat. Amid the loop of fragging beasts and truffling out collectibles are boss battles, as Doomguy takes out Satan's finest with a plethora of hardware – all of which can be souped up with a variety of mods.
New moves include dashes to dodge attacks, wall-climbing and bar-swinging, which adds a fresh layer of exploration. And with your cannon fodder having weak points to reveal, the violence is now given a dollop of strategy as you gun for those health-bestowing Glory Kills.
The biggest change to the Doom formula, though, is Eternal's attempt to give the famously one-dimensional franchise a back-story, done by festooning the levels with text logs that fill in the blanks between the gunplay. Of course, you're free to ignore them and simply blow through the action, as attempting to flesh out Doom's world – well written as the logs may be – is like having Arnie recite Shakespeare ("To be, or not to be... not to be." ~explosion~).
Doom-mongers aren't here for the plot – they just want to unload digital fire into a demon's keister. And with its glorious battle royal of explosions, blood and bullets, Doom Eternal still delivers where it counts.
Though its multiplayer is a massive step up from 2016 – with one Slayer against demons that can deploy traps and heal one other – Eternal earns its stripes with an unapologetically badass campaign. Like a B-movie with blockbuster trappings, there's tension and testosterone to spare in the best FPS your PS4 is likely to see. So sit back and enjoy an eternal doom – both on-screen and off.
