Given how nicely DOOM Eternal was obtained when it launched it feels prefer it didn’t actually need to enterprise into DLC territory in any respect. Emerging as one of the best shooters of the current generation is already nicely inside stop-while-you’re-ahead territory, and any try to construct on that would simply bitter somebody’s reminiscence of the general package deal even when they adored the bottom game. We fortunately don’t have to fret about that with The Ancient Gods – Part One as a result of although it may’ve been a bit longer, it’s received solely nice issues in retailer for individuals who need to slay some demons and perhaps pursue some narrative threads within the course of.
One of the perfect elements of The Ancient Gods – Part One is the way it begins. It’s its personal save slot separate from the marketing campaign and continues the principle story which suggests there’s no danger of it being shoehorned into the story someplace for gamers to revisit. Demons have turned their consideration to extra than simply Earth whereas the Doom Slayer saved his give attention to Hell’s denizens no matter their location. His hunt for whole eradication takes him to realms unvisited which interprets to some sensible new playgrounds for gamers to tear by.
Chances are you’ve taken a break from DOOM Eternal since its launch although, so earlier than you get again into the groove, there’s an aggressive relearning curve to beat first. DOOM Eternal’s DLC pretends gamers by no means took a break and tossed them proper again into the struggle towards late-game enemies who pull no punches. Reflexes return rapidly although, so it shouldn’t be too lengthy earlier than you’re capable of bump the issue again as much as the place you had it pre-DLC.
There are solely three chapters within the first DLC which received’t sound like so much, however the numerous locales you’ll go to from oil rigs to swamps to heavenly horrors do wonders to broaden the scope of The Ancient Gods – Part One. Arenas visited in these chapters current gamers with totally different challenges like restricted verticality, environmental hazards, and puzzles to be solved. Codex pages and different collectibles in fact litter the areas once more to entice gamers off their paths of rampage, an invite I used to be completely happy to just accept in return for extra challenges and trophies.
If there’s one factor I may’ve performed with out although, it’s the underwater parts of the DLC. Whether you’re below simply water or another hazardous materials, the moments you’re exploring in that method carry the momentum to a halt. Players get sufficient of a break between battles the place they’ll catch their breath and each the principle game and the DLC have proven participating puzzles can exist exterior of the water, so if there aren’t any extra watery sections in Part Two of the DLC, you received’t hear any complaints right here.
Water woes apart, the brand new demon sorts within the DLC are actually one thing id Software ought to broaden on within the follow-up. Spirits that possess and empower demons and powerhouse Blood Makyrs that solely have one vulnerability are very good examples of the way the DLC expands the demonic encyclopedia by distinctive obstacles. DOOM Eternal was already a grasp of layering learnings on prime of each other till gamers react instinctively to their environment, and the DLC takes that even additional.
The DLC feels quick trying again on it, however maybe that’s a very good factor right here. I discussed within the base game’s overview that enjoying on tougher difficulties like Nightmare trigger the story to take a again seat, and whereas that’s nonetheless true in The Ancient Gods – Part One, it’s not as noticeable when there’s much less of a story to digest. I felt extra invested within the DLC’s story and regarded to complement it with further background on the characters and occasions after I didn’t really feel like I used to be being ferried from one battle to a different.
It’s exhausting to say if the DLC wouldn’t have been as satisfying if it’d come out later than it did, however releasing a couple of months after the bottom game isn’t a nasty timeframe in any respect. There’s no telling when Part Two will launch, however The Ancient Gods – Part One has proven that the conclusion of this chapter is one value trying ahead to.
Rating: Four out of 5
DOOM Eternal: The Ancient Gods – Part One was reviewed on a PlayStation 4 Pro with a DLC code supplied by the writer.
