DOOM Eternal's First DLC, The Ancient Gods, Revealed In QuakeCon Teaser
The legend of the Doom Slayer isn't done yet, as Doom Eternal is set to receive a multi-part story expansion. Released in March of this year, Doom Eternal serves as a direct follow-up to the wildly successful franchise reboot by Bethesda. The game delves into the early days of the Doom Slayer, having players butchering angelic entities for the first time. Doom Eternal also introduced more movement mechanics to the mix, including a welcome grappling hook addition to the Super Shotgun and some controversial wall-grabbing and platforming elements.
Doom Eternal also sports a multiplayer mode known as Battlemode, a replacement for its predecessor's deathmatch suite. Pitting two player-controlled demons against a human Slayer, the mode tries to replicate arena battles from the campaign with a competitive edge. Since launch, this mode has been developer iD Software's focus, providing a battle pass system full of unlocks and several new character skins via outlets like Twitch Prime. While it hasn't become an online sensation, there's a healthy group of players on active platforms to challenge Slayers as Mancubi, Revenants, and the all-new Marauders. Battlemode is a nice addition, but it's not the main reason many come to Doom, which leads nicely to the new expansion announcement for the campaign.
Teased as part of this weekend's Quakecon 2020 festivities in a Bethesda teaser trailer, Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods will release in multiple chunks. Bethesda promises players a trip to the "previously uncharted realms of the DOOM universe." Saving humanity in the first game has upset the balance between the three realms, and the shotgun-wielding space marine is drawn further into the ancient conflict. The full reveal for the DLC's first chapter is set for the end of August as part of Gamescom Opening Night Live. The content is included as part of the Doom Eternal Deluxe Edition and available as part of the Year 1 season pass and for individual purchase.
Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods is only one of several exciting Quakecon happenings this weekend. Logging onto the game during the convention will unlock a special Quakecon themed skin for the Doom Slayer as well as a few other cosmetics. Logging onto the Bethesda launcher will let players claim the original two Quake games free of charge, and playing one round of Quake Arena will permanently unlock that game's full roster.
While Doom Eternal's final boss fight felt like the right moment to end a homage to Doom II on, there were certain story threads left hanging by the main campaign, and it seems like Doom Eternal's story expansions will pick up on those right away. There are those that prefer the more obtuse storytelling of the original games, but having a protagonist go to Hell does certainly push a narrative in a certain direction. Along with the brief glimpse of new enemies seen in the trailer, it seems that this doomed space marine is going to places only Kratos has gone before, shaking the pillars of heaven and shooting whatever entities happen to fall out.
Doom Eternal is available now on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia, and PC.