Is Doom 2016 Better Than Doom Eternal? A Veteran’s Perspective
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As a grizzled veteran who’s ripped and torn through countless demon hordes since the pixelated days of shareware Doom, I’m often asked: Is Doom 2016 better than Doom Eternal? The answer, like a rocket to the face of a Cyberdemon, is complex and nuanced. It depends entirely on what you’re looking for in a Doom game. There isn’t a single “better” option, but rather distinct experiences that cater to different preferences. Doom 2016 offers a relentlessly aggressive, yet more grounded, experience that emphasizes atmosphere and discovery. Doom Eternal, on the other hand, is a hyper-kinetic, almost arcade-like ballet of bullets and brutality, demanding precise resource management and mastery of its combat loop. Let’s delve into why these two games, both undeniably fantastic, offer such different, and equally compelling, visions of Hell on Earth.
A Tale of Two Dooms: Divergent Design Philosophies
The core difference lies in their design philosophies. Doom 2016 aims for a revitalized, modernized take on the classic Doom formula, focusing on a more tangible and visceral experience. The levels are sprawling, interconnected labyrinths filled with secrets and environmental storytelling. While incredibly fast-paced, it allows for moments of respite, giving the player time to breathe and appreciate the terrifying beauty of the UAC research facility and the hellish landscapes beyond. The game emphasizes exploring for weapon upgrades, Argent cells, and Praetor Suit tokens, rewarding thoroughness and a keen eye.
Doom Eternal, however, takes a more radical approach. It doubles down on the “push-forward combat” introduced in Doom 2016, amplifying it to an almost dizzying degree. The game demands constant movement, weapon switching, and resource juggling. Levels are designed as combat arenas, interconnected by parkour-like traversal sections. The emphasis is on mastering the combat loop: glory kills for health, chainsaw for ammo, and flame belch for armor. This relentless cycle, while exhilarating, can also feel overwhelming to some players. The narrative is also more pronounced, diving deeper into the Doom Slayer’s lore and origins, which can be a pro or a con depending on your investment in the Doom universe’s mythology.
Combat: A Dance of Death or a Resource Management Puzzle?
The combat mechanics are where the two games truly diverge. In Doom 2016, the emphasis is on aggression and improvisation. While weapon switching is important, it’s not as critical as in Doom Eternal. You can often rely on a preferred weapon and brute force your way through encounters. Glory kills are readily available, providing a reliable source of health.
Doom Eternal transforms combat into a complex resource management puzzle. Every encounter becomes a strategic dance, forcing you to constantly adapt and utilize every tool at your disposal. Weapon mods are crucial, and knowing which mod to use on which enemy is essential for survival. The chainsaw becomes your best friend, replenishing ammo when you’re running low. Ignoring this resource loop is a surefire path to a quick and brutal death. While the combat is undeniably exhilarating and rewarding when mastered, it requires a significant learning curve. The introduction of weak points on certain enemies, like the Revenant’s shoulder cannons, further encourages strategic targeting.
Level Design: Labyrinths vs. Arenas
Doom 2016’s level design leans towards interconnected maps with a sense of exploration. Hidden areas are plentiful, often rewarding players with powerful upgrades. The environments feel more grounded, even when set in Hell, contributing to the game’s overall atmosphere. You feel like you’re exploring a real place, albeit a horrifying one.
Doom Eternal prioritizes combat arenas connected by traversal sections. The levels are designed to funnel you into carefully crafted encounters, demanding you utilize the game’s movement mechanics, like the dash and double jump, to their full potential. While the arenas are visually stunning and often feature verticality, they lack the sense of exploration and discovery found in Doom 2016.
Atmosphere and Story: Subtlety vs. Extravagance
Doom 2016 excels in creating a sense of dread and isolation. The atmosphere is thick with tension, and the environmental storytelling is superb. You learn about the UAC’s hubris and the consequences of their actions through the environment itself, rather than through lengthy cutscenes. The Doom Slayer is a silent, unstoppable force, letting his actions speak louder than words.
Doom Eternal throws subtlety out the window in favor of a more bombastic and lore-heavy approach. The story delves into the Doom Slayer’s origins and his role in the cosmic struggle between Heaven, Hell, and Earth. While some players appreciate this expanded lore, others find it distracting from the core gameplay. The game also features more frequent cutscenes and dialogue, which can disrupt the flow of the action.
Which Doom is Right For You?
Ultimately, the choice between Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer a more atmospheric, exploration-focused experience with a slightly slower pace, Doom 2016 is the better choice. If you crave a hyper-kinetic, challenging combat puzzle that demands mastery of its mechanics, Doom Eternal is the way to go. Both games are excellent additions to the Doom legacy, offering unique and rewarding experiences for fans of the franchise.
Remember to check out resources like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to learn more about game design and the impact of games on society. Learning about game design can enhance your appreciation for titles like Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which game has the better soundtrack?
Both games boast incredible soundtracks composed by Mick Gordon (and Chad Mossholder for some of Eternal). Doom 2016‘s soundtrack is arguably more iconic, with its heavy industrial sound perfectly complementing the game’s atmosphere. Doom Eternal‘s soundtrack is more diverse, incorporating elements of heavy metal, electronic music, and even choir vocals. The choice is subjective, but both are considered among the best video game soundtracks ever created.
2. Which game is more difficult?
Doom Eternal is significantly more difficult than Doom 2016, especially on higher difficulty settings. Its demanding resource management and complex combat loop require a high level of skill and knowledge of the game’s mechanics. Doom 2016 is still challenging, but more forgiving, allowing players to rely on brute force and improvisation.
3. Which game has better graphics?
Doom Eternal technically has better graphics, thanks to improvements in the id Tech 7 engine. However, both games are visually stunning, with detailed environments, impressive demon designs, and smooth performance. The visual style of each game is also distinct, with Doom Eternal featuring a brighter, more colorful palette compared to Doom 2016’s darker, more gritty aesthetic.
4. Which game has a better story?
Doom Eternal has a more elaborate and detailed story, delving into the Doom Slayer’s lore and the history of the Doom universe. Doom 2016‘s story is more subtle and atmospheric, relying on environmental storytelling to convey the UAC’s hubris and the consequences of their actions. The “better” story depends on your preference for narrative depth and detail.
5. Which game has better replayability?
Both games offer high replayability, thanks to their challenging gameplay, numerous difficulty settings, and hidden secrets. Doom Eternal‘s Master Levels, remixed versions of existing levels with increased difficulty and enemy placement, add significant replay value. Doom 2016‘s SnapMap feature, which allows players to create and share custom levels, also extends its replayability.
6. Which game is longer?
Doom Eternal is generally considered to be slightly longer than Doom 2016, primarily due to its more challenging combat encounters and more extensive level design. However, both games offer a substantial campaign length, providing dozens of hours of gameplay.
7. Which game has a better multiplayer mode?
Neither game’s multiplayer mode is particularly well-regarded. Doom 2016 featured a more traditional arena-style multiplayer mode, while Doom Eternal introduced the asymmetrical “Battlemode,” where one player controls the Doom Slayer and two players control demons. Both modes were criticized for their lack of balance and overall fun. Most players focus on the single-player campaigns.
8. Which game runs better on PC?
Both games are well-optimized for PC, but Doom Eternal generally runs better due to improvements in the id Tech 7 engine. It also offers a wider range of graphical options, allowing players to fine-tune the performance to their specific hardware.
9. Which game is more accessible to newcomers?
Doom 2016 is generally considered to be more accessible to newcomers, thanks to its slightly slower pace and more forgiving gameplay. Doom Eternal‘s demanding resource management and complex combat loop can be overwhelming for players unfamiliar with the Doom franchise.
10. Which game has better DLC?
Both games received DLC expansions that added new levels, enemies, and weapons. Doom Eternal‘s “The Ancient Gods” expansions are generally considered to be more challenging and ambitious than Doom 2016‘s DLC, adding significant story content and expanding on the Doom Slayer’s lore.
11. Which game has more secrets and collectibles?
Both games are filled with secrets and collectibles, but Doom 2016 arguably has more hidden areas and Easter eggs to discover. Its sprawling, interconnected levels encourage exploration and reward thoroughness.
12. Is Doom Eternal a direct sequel to Doom 2016?
Yes, Doom Eternal is a direct sequel to Doom 2016, continuing the Doom Slayer’s story after the events of the previous game.
13. Which game has a better weapon selection?
Both games feature a wide array of powerful and satisfying weapons. Doom Eternal arguably has a more diverse weapon selection, with each weapon featuring multiple mods that drastically alter its functionality.
14. Which game is more faithful to the original Doom games?
Doom 2016 is arguably more faithful to the spirit of the original Doom games, capturing the sense of isolation, dread, and relentless aggression that defined the classic titles.
15. Which game is a better overall experience?
This is entirely subjective and depends on your personal preferences. Both Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal are excellent games that offer unique and rewarding experiences for fans of the Doom franchise. There’s no definitive “better” option; it simply comes down to what you’re looking for in a Doom game.