Doom Eternal is a much-needed balm in these difficult times. Well, as much as a balm as a game depicting literal Hell on Earth can be, anyways. And it seems like gamers are flocking to it (then again, what else are we all going to do?).
The game has reported 100,000 concurrent players on Steam, and we predict that many more will flock to it in the coming weeks. Of course, this isn't your granddaddy's Doom, and many people have found the game incredibly difficult and unwelcoming.
We're here to help. These are ten pro tips for Doom Eternal that you should know.
10 Move!
This sort of goes without saying if you've ever played a Doom game before. But for those who haven't, we have one major piece of advice for you - move and keep on moving! Doom Eternal places enormous emphasis on movement, speed, and mobility, and constant movement is an absolute requirement if you want to defeat the forces of Hell. This isn't Call of Duty where you can just camp and pick enemies off from behind a wall. You will die, and you will grow frustrated. Just keep on movin'. The game will reward you for it.
9 Utilize The Chainsaw
Doom Eternal is a little different from its predecessors in that ammunition is much harder to come by. In Doom games of old, ammo was basically spilling from the walls. Now, you have to utilize the chainsaw to kill smaller enemies and receive a small pool of ammunition. You will find yourself running low on ammo, and you may even find yourself out at a difficult and important time. Just remember to utilize that chainsaw and you should be good to go. Should being the operative word here...
8 Keep A Steady Eye On Your Health
This should really go without saying, but trust us, it's a lot easier said than done. Like many old school shooters, Doom Eternal utilizes a number-based health system. This means you can't simply run away and hide in a corner until your health regenerates. Unfortunately, Doom Eternal is also very, very fast, and it's incredibly easy to lose yourself in the adrenaline and carnage of a battle. You have to pay attention to your health, especially in times of frantic action. You never know when some errant fireball from twenty feet away will take you out.
7 Don't Be Too Aggressive
We know we said to keep moving and to be aggressive. Just make sure you're not being too aggressive. Some players may see a weapon like the rocket launcher and want to go absolutely crazy with it. And while we do encourage your bloodthirst, you also have to caution you against popping off rockets like Rambo.
You see, certain weapons have splashback damage, which means you will be damaged along with the enemy. And firing rockets at an enemy two feet away from you is a great way to get yourself killed. Just be careful out there and use that noggin' that God gave ya.
6 Take Advantage Of Glory Kills
Glory kills were introduced in Doom, and they are a great way to replenish your health. Once an enemy is weak enough, they will begin to flash blue and orange. This isn't just some cool design choice - this is the game's way of telling you that they are vulnerable to a glory kill. Once you press down on the right stick, the Doom Slayer will perform a fancy glory kill on the enemy and earn himself some much needed health. So keep your eyes peeled for the flashing blue and orange lights, because you will need to take advantage of it.
5 Take Advantage Of The Flame Belch
Similarly, you also need to take advantage of the flame belch. If you press triangle (or the Xbox and PC equivalent), you will perform the flame belch. This will set nearby enemies on fire, and they will drop armor as a result. Armor is just as precious as health, as it serves as an extra barrier against death (duh). The damage you incur won't just chip away at your core health, but will chip away both the armor and health, allowing you an extra little bit of protection. It's necessary in a game so focused on combat, and you will need to utilize it throughout your adventures.
4 Snipe If You Can
Some sections of Doom Eternal allow you to scope out the upcoming section. It is here that you can whip out your sniper rifle and take some strategic shots against your enemies. For example, you can disable the weapons of the Mancubus, Revenant, and Arachnotron with some well-placed shots.
And with their weapons disabled, that will make the preceding section much easier to navigate and survive. We know sniping isn't really the Doom way, but it can save your life.
3 Look For The Secrets On The Map
In order to receive a 3D layout of a given map, you need to find an Automap station. We understand if some people don't want or need maps, but we recommend that you get one. Not only will it make navigating a whole lot easier, but the map also shows the locations of all the secrets. It doesn't tell you how to get there, mind you, but knowing where the secrets are is obviously an enormous advantage. Some of these secrets are cheat codes that make the game easier/more fun, so we definitely recommend that you seek them out.
2 Adjust The Difficulty If You Need To
This one sort of goes without saying, but you can adjust the difficulty if you find yourself outmatched (or, on the opposite spectrum, if you're finding the game too easy). Unlike some games of its kind, Doom Eternal allows you to adjust the difficulty on the fly. Some of you may need to do that, because this is a surprisingly difficult game. Don't feel ashamed if you need to drop that difficulty down. If you're not having fun, then what's the point?
1 Do The Slayer Gates
Throughout the game you will find optional side quests called Slayer Gates. You should definitely do them, because the rewards are tremendous. You can earn yourself some much-needed weapon points and Empyrean Keys. If you earn all six Empyrean Keys, you will unlock the most powerful weapon in the entire game - the Unmaykr. We know these Slayer Gates are difficult (and maybe a little tedious), but the rewards are more than worth the trouble.