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DOOM Eternal earned broadly favorable reviews for turning its fast first-person shooting into a tactical test of movement, enemy priorities, and resource management. That same intensity is the key to whether it suits you: players who want a quick, demanding combat loop may love it, while those looking for a straightforward run-and-gun shooter may find its rules, platforming, and heavier story emphasis distracting.
What did reviews say about DOOM Eternal?
Reviews were strongly positive overall. Metacritic listed an 88 Metascore from 61 critic reviews and an 8.5 user score from 6,549 ratings when its DOOM Eternal Reviews page was accessed on October 8, 2026. Those are separate critic and user aggregates, and both the scores and rating counts can change.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Doom: Eternal (Xbox One) | $30.03 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Doom Eternal XBO (Renewed) | $26.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Doom Eternal - For Xbox Series X | $39.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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DOOM Eternal: Standard Edition - Xbox One | $24.94 | Buy on Amazon |
Bethesda’s 2020 launch roundup featured favorable selections, including IGN’s 9/10 and PC Gamer’s 94/100. Because Bethesda selected the reviews for its own roundup, those scores show examples of launch praise rather than a representative average. IGN’s review, as quoted there, called it “one of the best first-person shooter campaigns in years.”
What reviewers praised
Fast combat that rewards decisions
The praise focused on combat that is both rapid and demanding. You are not simply aiming at whatever is closest: encounters ask you to read the battlefield, prioritize threats, choose weapons, and manage resources while staying in motion. GameSpot’s review roundup describes that need to analyze enemies and make tactical choices as central to the experience.
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- Slayer Threat Level at Maximum - gain access to the latest demon-killing tech with the DOOM Slayer's advanced Praetor Suit, including a shoulder-mounted flamethrower and the retractable wrist-mounted DOOM Blade. Upgraded guns and mods, such as the Super Shotgun's new distance-closing Meat Hook attachment, and abilities like the Double Dash make you faster, stronger, and more versatile than ever
- Unholy Trinity - you can't kill demons when you're dead, and you can't stay alive without resources. Take what you need from your enemies: Glory kill for extra health, incinerate for armor, and chainsaw demons to stock up on ammo. These tools are the key to your survival and becoming the ultimate demon-slayer
- A New Class of (Destructible) Demon - obliterate more demons than ever before, each with unique attacks and abilities. Fan-favorite classics such as the Pain Elemental, Archvile, and Arachnotron make their return, while a horde of totally-new demons join the roster including the DOOM Hunter, Marauder, and the Gladiator. Rip apart your favorite demons to the core with DOOM Eternal's "destructible demons" system and take your power fantasy to new levels
The result can feel like a shooter where decisions matter as much as reflexes. Phil Hornshaw of GameSpot wrote that, once the systems click, the game’s elements come together in “a cascade of mayhem.” The appeal depends on enjoying that layered, high-attention rhythm rather than expecting a relaxed, uncomplicated shootout.
Mobility and intensity
Critics also praised the movement and the energy it brings to fights. The combination of mobility and enemy pressure gives encounters a forceful pace, and reviewers cited by Metacritic highlighted the action and movement as strengths. PC Gamer’s launch-era review, quoted by Bethesda, described the game as a “ceaseless, panicked nightmare”—a favorable description of its intensity, though that intensity will not suit every player.
Rank #2
- Gain access to the latest demon-killing Tech with the DOOM Slayer's advanced praetor suit, including a shoulder-mounted flamethrower and the retractable wrist-mounted DOOM Blade.
- Upgraded guns and mods, such as the Super shotgun's new distance-closing meat hook attachment, and abilities like the double Dash make you faster, stronger, and more versatile than ever.
- You can't Kill demons when you're Dead, and you can't stay alive without resources. These tools are the key to your survival and becoming the ultimate demon-slayer.
- A new class of (destructible) demon
- Battle mode is the new 2 versus 1 multiplayer experience built from the ground up at id software.
What are the main drawbacks?
Combat can feel prescriptive
The combat loop is built around specific ways of responding to threats and replenishing resources. One critic excerpt on Metacritic argues that these demands can make combat feel less freeform. If you prefer to stick with a favorite weapon or improvise without being steered toward particular tactics, the game’s systems may feel like constraints rather than satisfying strategy.
Platforming breaks up the fights
Platforming is another recurring caveat in the review discussion. The game asks players to navigate first-person jumps and environmental obstacles between or around combat sequences. Some critics found those sections less enjoyable than the shooting. If first-person platforming is a deal-breaker for you, that is a more useful consideration than the overall review average.
Rank #3
- Experience fast-paced first-person shooter combat and movement.
- Battle a wide variety of powerful and challenging enemies.
- Wield an arsenal of devastating weapons and abilities.
- Explore epic locations across a thrilling single-player campaign.
More story and collectibles
GameSpot’s roundup reports that some critics felt the greater emphasis on storytelling and lore drew attention away from the series’ strengths. Platforming and collectibles also attracted criticism. These are reported preferences, not universal flaws: players interested in the game’s world or in searching levels for extras may welcome those elements, while players who want the action with minimal interruption may not.
Is DOOM Eternal too hard?
It can be demanding, especially if you resist the combat systems or prefer a less pressured pace. However, PC Gamer’s 2020 review describes adjustable difficulty and assists, including Sentinel Armor and extra lives. It also notes cheats and an easier route for players more interested in exploring and collecting than mastering the fights. These options can reduce friction, although they do not change the game’s underlying emphasis on movement and tactical combat.
Rank #4
- Developed by id Software, DOOM Eternal is the direct sequel to the award-winning and best-selling DOOM (2016)
- Hell’s armies have invaded Earth; Become the Slayer in an epic single player campaign to conquer demons across dimensions and stop the final destruction of humanity
- Experience the ultimate combination of speed and power in DOOM Eternal: the next leap in push forward, first person combat
- Discover the Slayer’s origins and his enduring mission to RAZE HELL
Difficulty is therefore not a simple yes-or-no barrier. Consider whether you enjoy learning a system through challenging encounters, and whether lowering the pressure would still leave the parts you want to play intact.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who is it for?
| DOOM Eternal may suit you if… | It may be a poor fit if… |
|---|---|
| You want fast, intense shooter encounters. | You want a simple, relaxed run-and-gun experience. |
| You enjoy switching weapons and tactics to manage threats and resources. | You dislike combat that encourages specific responses and priorities. |
| You like movement challenges alongside shooting. | First-person platforming regularly frustrates you. |
| You are interested in story details or searching levels for collectibles. | You prefer minimal lore and few interruptions to the action. |
At its best, the game’s demanding loop makes every encounter feel active and consequential. Whether that is a strength or a chore depends less on the review score than on your appetite for pressure, tactical choices, and movement between fights.
How should you compare it with DOOM (2016) or another shooter?
Use the differences that reviewers repeatedly identify rather than relying on a single aggregate score. The review discussion makes these useful comparison points:
- Pace and intensity: Do you want constant urgency, or a more relaxed rhythm?
- Combat demands: Do you enjoy managing ammunition, threats, weapons, and movement together?
- Platforming: How much first-person traversal are you willing to accept between fights?
- Story and lore: Do you want more narrative context, or less interruption to combat?
- Difficulty options: Are adjustments and assists important to your enjoyment?
- Platform and edition: Check the version you intend to buy, since platform and edition details are separate from the review consensus.
What game is being reviewed?
DOOM Eternal is a mature-rated first-person shooter developed by id Software and released on March 20, 2020. GameSpot’s game information lists its platforms, developers, publishers, rating descriptors, and downloadable-content dates; check that listing and the seller’s current product page for the platform and edition you want.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
