Doom Eternal review: blistering combat wrapped in a story that never quite detonates
Doom Eternal is the kind of first-person shooter that grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go. A German gaming magazine praised its relentless gameplay loop, highlighting clever enemy AI that forces you to constantly switch tactics and a deep, satisfying arsenal that rewards aggressive play. It’s all amplified by striking visuals and thunderous sound design that make every fight feel like a spectacle.
There’s plenty to keep you coming back, too. Between a hefty spread of collectibles and several DLCs, the game offers strong long-term motivation for completionists and action junkies alike. Movement is a major pillar this time around, with new platforming and acrobatic elements injecting variety into the combat dance. While these traversal segments add flavor, they can occasionally frustrate, especially early on when the learning curve is at its steepest.
Not everything hits with the same ferocity. The story takes a while to get going and never builds the kind of edge-of-your-seat tension some players might be hoping for. Compared to its predecessor, the overall atmosphere can feel a touch lighter, which may leave lore fans wanting more even as the action surges ahead.
Despite those narrative shortcomings, the critical and player reception has been impressive. The same magazine awarded Doom Eternal an 88 out of 100 and even dubbed it a “shooter like champagne,” a nod to how polished and exhilarating it feels in motion. On Steam, the game has amassed over 200,000 user reviews, with 91% of them positive—a strong signal that the core loop of slaying and surviving resonates widely. Over on Metacritic, it carries a Metascore of 88 and a User Score of 85, reinforcing its status as one of the standout shooters of recent years.
If you’re considering playing on the go, Doom Eternal is listed as Playable on the Steam Deck. For those curious about hardware costs, the handheld currently hovers around the mid-$600 range on major retailers.
Bottom line: If you value fast, strategic combat, inventive enemy design, and a power fantasy that rarely pauses for breath, Doom Eternal delivers in spades. Go in for the action and you’ll find a high-caliber FPS with staying power—just don’t expect the story to hit as hard as the shotgun.
