DOOM Eternal: The Ancient Gods - Part One | Game Brain

DOOM Eternal: The Ancient Gods - Part One Game Cover

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In DOOM Eternal: The Ancient Gods - Part One, players continue the Slayer's battle against hell's forces in a new series of missions. This DLC takes place after the events of DOOM Eternal, featuring new locations, epic boss fights, and powerful upgrades for the Slayer. With a thrilling narrative and intense combat, fans of the series will enjoy this expansion of the DOOM universe.

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DOOM Eternal: The Ancient Gods - Part One screenshot

72%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,722 reviews

story207 positive mentions

grinding104 negative mentions

The DLC offers a challenging experience that tests players' mastery of the game's mechanics.
The level design is visually stunning, with unique environments that enhance the gameplay experience.
The addition of new enemies, while controversial, adds depth and complexity to combat encounters.

The difficulty spike feels artificial, with excessive enemy spawns leading to frustrating encounters.
The new spirit enemy disrupts the flow of combat, requiring specific weapon mods to defeat, which can be tedious.
The final boss fight is considered underwhelming and poorly designed compared to the main game's bosses.

story
848 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
68%
8%
The story in "Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods - Part One" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it convoluted and poorly executed compared to the base game. While some appreciate the continuation of the Doom Slayer's journey and the introduction of new lore, others criticize it for being overly cryptic, lacking coherence, and feeling like a mere pretext for combat. Overall, the narrative is seen as a weak point, with many suggesting that players who are primarily interested in the story might be better off watching it on YouTube rather than playing through the DLC.
- “The story is a great extension to the campaign that carries the Doom Slayer's journey forward in a natural way.”
- “The story here is a delight, with it being as ridiculous as it is in the campaign but with a few more fun twists.”
- “The story continues to be goofy, so if you're here for story then keep expectations reasonable with this campy showing.”
- “The story feels disjointed, and much of it comes across as overly cryptic, leaving players more confused than intrigued.”
- “The story and its twists feel clunky and unnatural.”
- “The story is a joke.”
gameplay
581 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
63%
12%
The gameplay in *Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods - Part One* has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while it retains the core mechanics of the base game, it introduces frustrating new elements that disrupt the flow of combat. Critics highlight the increased difficulty and reliance on tedious mechanics, such as the spirit possession system, which can make encounters feel more like a chore than an exhilarating challenge. Overall, while some players appreciate the added complexity and challenge, others feel that the gameplay has become overly punishing and less enjoyable compared to the original *Doom Eternal*.
- “The gameplay is still the same from Doom Eternal, but to be honest, that's a good thing. The story was really good until they messed it up in Ancient Gods Part 2. Overall, not a lot needs to be said... 9/10.”
- “The ancient gods - part one is a campaign extension for Doom Eternal, continuing the story and gameplay progression where the base game left off. It does a really good job of expanding on the gameplay ideas that the main campaign introduced, and adds some new things of its own that are surprisingly well used for a DLC with only three levels.”
- “The gameplay itself wasn't as much fun as the base game. The new locations are visually amazing, with only the first level being a bit odd in its gameplay design.”
- “Making an enemy that was already frustrating due to its stupid gimmicky mechanics a massive bullet sponge that takes forever to kill, moves way faster than you and practically one-shots you is dumb.”
- “The gameplay changes introduced in Eternal had a lot in common with the base game, but the difference there was that every newly forced problem/solution combo flowed well in the overall combat loop. This DLC, however, feels like it has a punishing increase in difficulty and a reliance on mechanics that push the player out of the habits they may have formed in the main game.”
- “The gameplay is also extremely frustrating and not fun at all.”
music
504 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
54%
8%
The music in the DLC has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the absence of composer Mick Gordon, whose work set a high standard in the base game. While some praise the new soundtrack by Andrew Hulshult and David Levy as solid and fitting for the game, others find it lacking in intensity and memorability, often describing it as generic or repetitive compared to Gordon's compositions. Overall, the music is seen as a step down, but still enjoyable for those who appreciate the new direction.
- “The soundtrack was phenomenal as usual.”
- “The music is fantastic, though, so that's a good positive.”
- “Andrew Hulshult and David Levy did a great job on the music, it's not quite as good as Gordon's work on the base game, but the theme for Blood Swamps is an absolute banger.”
- “I need to express my deep disappointment regarding the game's music.”
- “The music is not nearly as good and they ruin the pacing/flow of the gameplay by introducing all these extra unnecessary elements.”
- “The soundtrack is bland, which was to be expected after Gordon's departure.”
graphics
113 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
43%
4%
The graphics in the game are consistently praised for their stunning visuals and impressive art style, maintaining the high standards set by Doom Eternal. Reviewers highlight the beautiful level designs and unique aesthetics across different environments, although some note minor inconsistencies in quality. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point of the game, contributing significantly to the immersive experience.
- “The graphics are stunning and it's a cool environment.”
- “The visuals are amazing, the soundtrack is amazing, the gameplay is better than ever!”
- “The 3 levels look incredible, the visuals are outstanding.”
- “Doom 2016 had better sound, graphics, designs, story, bosses, battles, environment (although I do like the Makyr environments), gunplay, challenges, secrets (but I do like the Lost Soul toy), and aiming.”
- “As far as graphics... it looks worse, the skyboxes are obviously lower quality if nothing else.”
- “Map design sucks, and the graphics and textures in some parts of the maps look like puke, even if you're playing with ultra settings.”
grinding
111 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
4%
94%
The grinding aspect of the DLC for Doom Eternal has been widely criticized for being excessively tedious and frustrating, with many players noting that combat encounters feel artificially prolonged and unbalanced. The introduction of new enemies, particularly the spirit-possessed marauder, has turned what could be engaging battles into monotonous endurance tests, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game. While some players found moments of fun, the overwhelming consensus is that the DLC's design choices lead to a grindy experience that lacks the excitement and fluidity of the base game.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy.”
- “Fighting two at a time was a fun challenge that wasn't grindy.”
- “The locations are really pretty, but the gameplay has been made so tedious that you can barely enjoy them.”
- “This DLC is the definition of tedious.”
- “The tediousness and difficulty jump is just too great compared to the main game.”
stability
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
90%
Overall, the stability of the game and its DLC has received significant criticism, with many users reporting numerous bugs and glitches that detract from the experience. While some players noted minor issues, the consensus is that the DLC feels less polished than the base game, with specific complaints about buggy mechanics, particularly in swimming and enemy interactions. Despite some positive aspects, the prevalence of bugs has led many to recommend waiting for fixes before fully engaging with the content.
- “The game is really well made, bug-free, has good dialogue, good graphics, nice controls, and overall is a very solid quality game.”
- “Runs great, looks great, plays great.”
- “Looks great, runs great.”
- “Now to add getting out of water so buggy and annoying. I mean, this is so bad.”
- “It doesn't help that this DLC, even after months since it launched, is super buggy, especially in the third level.”
- “The current game-breaking glitches introduced by the new updates/DLC have made my experience horrid.”
humor
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
9%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding the absurdity of certain enemies and scenarios, like giant tentacles and over-the-top combat encounters, to be genuinely funny. However, some reviewers feel that the humor can fall flat, particularly in the DLC, where the writing and certain gameplay mechanics are criticized as unfunny or overly chaotic. Overall, while there are moments of comedic relief, the humor's effectiveness varies widely among players.
- “So many of the negative Steam reviews are so obviously just people having a skill issue that it's hilarious; they're a good read.”
- “I loved the intern; I thought it was hilarious how he talked to Doomguy, definitely one of my favorite characters.”
- “And I think if you listen closely, after each wave you can hear the devs laughing at you when you think it's almost finished after 10 minutes killing demons and then they throw you 2 cyberdemons at once.”
- “The humor feels stale and relies too heavily on overused memes.”
- “I found the jokes to be repetitive and lacking originality.”
- “The attempts at humor often fall flat and feel forced.”
optimization
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
58%
23%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance on high-end systems, while others report significant frame stuttering, lag, and crashes, particularly in the DLC. Many users noted that the expansion feels less optimized compared to the base game, leading to frustration with performance issues and bugs. Overall, while the game showcases impressive visuals and potential for high performance, it suffers from inconsistencies that detract from the experience.
- “Very well optimized, and it has more excellent soundtracks for the pleasure of your ears!”
- “Performance is super good, even with RTX and everything set to ultra; this was super smooth on my RTX 2070s at 1440p.”
- “It's Doom - id invented the FPS genre, id tech engine is a decade ahead of any other game engine as far as smoothness in frame rate and outstanding efficient use of CPU & GPU - this game is ultra-optimized, nothing is even close.”
- “Oh, and I should mention that I had multiple moments of noticeable frame stuttering and lag.”
- “This game has in the past performed full 144 fps on multiple people's systems, yet constant performance degradation updates have moved fps down to 100 or less, depending on the system.”
- “Couple this with performance issues and bugs resulting in you being unable to swap weapons and you have yourself a heaping helping of frustration and disappointment.”
atmosphere
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
30%
13%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and cinematic quality, with many reviewers noting the impressive level design and environmental details that enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack, while different from Mick Gordon's iconic work, is still considered effective in complementing the game's chaotic and dramatic settings. Each level offers a unique atmosphere, contributing to a sense of tension and excitement throughout gameplay.
- “Ask me how I felt during any mission and I can tell you, because a huge amount of work goes into the environment, the soundtrack, and the overall atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is great in the three levels provided.”
- “For the good things about this game, the environments are amazingly atmospheric and very nice to look at.”
- “Also, what Bethesda did to Mick Gordon, who literally carried the atmosphere of the game, is purely disgusting and unjustified.”
- “The second is a bit more unique, but there isn't an additional soundtrack or anything that could really affect the atmosphere.”
- “The music is still super good, but is far from Mick Gordon's style, and the atmosphere thus feels different.”
replayability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate the challenging maps and various modes that enhance replay value, others find the lack of progression and collectibles detracts from the experience. Some reviews highlight the infinite replayability due to the game's design, while others criticize it for being frustrating and lacking engaging content to motivate repeated playthroughs. Ultimately, the replayability seems to hinge on individual player preferences and their tolerance for challenge.
- “Challenging set of 3 maps with great art styles, has a lot of replay value as a result.”
- “I've had a lot of fun with this DLC and it has tons of replay value, so if you love Doom Eternal and you're up for a challenge, this is a DLC for you.”
- “Combine that with huge replayability with extra life mode/ultra nightmare/secrets/slayer gates/secret encounters/unlocking skins, I think it is absolutely worth it.”
- “The fact that there's no real progression (your suit and weapons are 100% unlocked), no fun collectibles, and no replayability means that this DLC is just poor value.”
- “This all comes together to create a needlessly frustrating experience that would be much more playable if I felt compelled to actually trudge on to the next bland encounter.”
- “I think that most players will just find this a challenge, but an annoying one with little replayability.”
emotional
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
82%
18%
Players express a mix of frustration and emotional intensity regarding the game's challenges, with some feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by the relentless gameplay. While some moments evoke a sense of achievement and empowerment, particularly in overcoming difficult bosses, others find the experience mentally taxing and the story lacking, leading to a desire to avoid the DLC in the future. Overall, the emotional responses range from exhilaration to disappointment, highlighting the game's polarizing impact on players.
- “It's basically an empowered demon just absurdly tanky and sonic fast, and when it's on a baron, I want to cry.”
- “I cried.”
- “It can be mentally and emotionally taxing for players who aren't ready for such an unrelenting gameplay experience.”
- “The developers make you tired of combat; the short and boring story is getting ridiculous.”
- “Boring story.”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
71%
The monetization strategy of the game has been heavily criticized, with many reviewers labeling it as a cash grab due to its reliance on overpriced microtransactions and the introduction of time-restricted content that contradicts earlier promises from the developers. Players express frustration over the perceived greed of the developers, particularly in how it affects gameplay and overall experience. Despite some opinions suggesting it isn't a quick cash grab, the overwhelming sentiment leans towards disappointment in the game's financial practices.
- “I thought Bethesda would also choose not to be greedy, predatory scam artists, but they love microtransactions like the rest of the psychopaths in the video game industry.”
- “This is worsened by the fact that some time-restricted content only returns on the basis of microtransactions, something that the game's director, Hugo Martin, promised would not happen, stating 'Eternal is a $60 game, not a free-to-play game or a mobile game.'”
- “Just a piece of advice: don't pay for a game if you don't like it, just because of expensive advertising or just to have it in your collection.”