Doom Eternal: Everything you need to know from multiplayer, download size and more

The next instalment of id Software's iconic FPS franchise, Doom Eternal, will unleash hell on our social lives starting 20 March 2020.  

We are counting down the days (it is one of our top games we can't wait to play in 2020, after all) until we can don the boots and armour of the Doom Slayer and wreak havoc on the lengthy campaign, or spend hundreds of hours in the exciting new Battlemode multiplayer.  

Looking to salivate your excitement? Here's everything you need to know about Doom Eternal. 

Doom Eternal launch 

Doom Eternal will release on 20 March 2020 for PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Google Stadia. With an iconic franchise such as DOOM, you can do a little bit more than just play the game on launch day. We've got you covered with a DOOM Eternal launch party planned for 20 March at 22:00 GMT. 

You can celebrate the release of Doom Eternal with us on Launch Party, where we go through the greatest games from the series on GINX Esports TV and Ginx.tv.  

For a complete list of all launch times based on your gaming platform of choice, check out the launch details from Bethesda. 

Pre-order bonuses and editions 

If you pre-order Doom Eternal, you’ll receive Doom 64 for current-gen systems. Doom 64 is the only title in the franchise that was never available on PC, PlayStation or Xbox, releasing way back in 1997 exclusively on the Nintendo 64. Yes, it is a pretty big deal for DOOM fanatics who never owned a Nintendo 64. 

Alongside Doom 64, those who pre-order will also receive the "Rip and Tear pack". This pack includes a Doot Revenant Skin, a bonus campaign level which is a remixed version of Cultist Base, new challenges, the Throwback Shotgun Weapon Skin and "surprises". 

Deluxe Edition: 

The Deluxe Edition features some extra digital content which doesn’t come with the Standard Edition, namely the Demonic Slayer Skin, the Classic Weapons Sound Pack and the Year One Pass. 

Doom Eternal's Deluxe Edition (Picture: Bethesda) 

Collector's Edition: 

The Collector’s Edition includes all the digital content from the Deluxe Edition and some amazing items, from a wearable Doom Slayer helmet to a Lithograph, an exclusive Steelbook case and a Lore Book. 

Please note: Bethesda announced on 11th March the Doom Eternal official soundtrack, which forms part of the Doom Eternal Collector’s Edition, will not be available on March 20, 2020, as originally intended.  

The publisher will provide a digital, ultra-high quality, lossless version of the new standalone soundtrack to all those who purchased the Collector's Edition and they’re working on delivering the soundtrack as soon as possible. 

There's a monster collector's edition (Picture: Bethesda) 

File size, Day 1 update and system requirements 

The Doom Eternal download will come in at roughly 37GB on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.  

There will be a Day 1 update for the game, so get ready to download an additional 5GB if you purchase a physical copy of the game.  

PC gamers need to know if their gaming rig has enough hellfire to run id Software's latest FPS. You can find the PC system requirements below: 

Minimum requirements 

• OS: 64-bit Windows 7/64-Bit Windows 10 

• Processor:  Intel Core i5 @ 3.3 GHz or better, or AMD Ryzen 3 @ 3.1 GHz or better 

• Memory: 8 GB RAM 

• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 (4GB), GTX 1060 (6GB), GTX 1650 (4GB) or AMD Radeon R9 290 (4GB)/RX 470 (4GB) 

• Storage: 50 GB available space 

• Additional Notes: (1080p / 60 FPS / Low Quality Settings) 

Recommended requirements 

• OS: 64-bit Windows 10 

• Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K or better, or AMD Ryzen 7 1800X or better 

• Memory: 16 GB RAM 

• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 (8GB), RTX 2060 (8GB) or AMD Radeon RX Vega56 (8GB) 

• Storage: 50 GB available space 

• Additional Notes: (1440p / 60 FPS / High Quality Settings) 

If your PC had no issue running Doom 2016, then you should have a smooth experience with Doom Eternal.  

It’s important to note Doom Eternal will run at 60FPS on the original PS4, the PS4 Pro, Xbox One, and Xbox One X, with various resolution limits based on the console. The Nintendo Switch will run at 30FPS. 

How long is Doom Eternal? 

Doom Eternal will be at least twice as long as the 2016 reboot, which took roughly 11 and a half hours to complete if you only focused on the campaign.  

Doom Eternal’s Creative Director, Hugo Martin, confirmed this in an interview with GameSpot, stating: "We're hell-bent on engaging you from beginning to end. This is a 22-plus hour game." 

Doom Eternal Master Levels gameplay 

The gameplay of Doom Eternal is as frantic and fast-paced as ever. The gore, brutal glory kills, and ferocious speed is as mesmerizing as ever.  

From all the gameplay videos and trailers we've seen so far, however, the most exciting is the video showing off the Master Levels, which are basically remixes of traditional levels that provide an even greater challenge. 

You can check out gameplay footage of the Master Levels below. The developer also talks about the Fortress of Doom (more on that later) and their gameplay design choices as well as iterations. Our favourite new mechanic for the Doom franchise is the grappling hook, which you can also see in action. 

Doom Eternal multiplayer 

Doom Eternal's multiplayer is being developed in-house this time around unlike Doom 2016 which was developed in cooperation with studio Certain Affinity.  

First up, there will be a mode called "Invasions" which will allow you to invade other players' single-player campaigns as a demon. Invasions are sure to cause some real chaos and sound deliciously evil. 

The game will also feature some more traditional, competitive modes, but the mode we are most excited about is the 2v1 Battlemode; where two players (as demons) team up to kill another player controlling the Doom Slayer.  

Five demons will be available at launch, including the Mancubus, Archvile, Revenant, Marauder, and Pain Elemental. 

You can change loadouts of your demons in an attempt to take down the Doom Slayer. If you play as the Doom Slayer, you will have a demon-slaying arsenal at your disposal. Check out a full explanation on how the mode will work from id Software below. 

Fortress of Doom 

In Doom Eternal, the Doom Slayer can take a breather from killing the hordes of hell. Enter the Fortress of Doom, your very own chill zone acting as a central hub area for the game.  

In the Fortress of Doom, which features several rooms to unlock and even multiple levels, you will be able to uncover upgrades, personalize your Doom Slayer, catch up on ARC broadcasts or simply admire the awesome collectables within. 

The Doom Slayer has his very own man cave, complete with a Doom Slayer portrait created by artist Xoas. The Fortress of Doom isn't just for putting your feet up and giving your Super Shotgun a rest. While slaying demons, you will collect items called Sentinel Batteries, which you can use to power up and open doors in the Fortress of DOOM.  

If you complete Slayer Gate challenges within missions, you will also acquire Empyrean keys you can use to unlock a powerful weapon. Lastly, there's the Riptorium, which is like a demon prison in the basement, giving you all the target practice you’ll ever need. 

There's all sorts to find in the Fortress of Doom (Picture: Bethesda) 

The music of Doom Eternal 

One thing a Doom game needs is a fantastic soundtrack, and Eternal has just that. The music of Doom Eternal sounds suitably ferocious from the tidbits we've heard so far.  

Check out the video below for a behind-the-scenes look at how the soundtrack was made, with composer Mick Gordon who assembles heavy metal vocalists to create something perfect for hell on earth. 

Personalize your slayer 

If you're tired of the Doom Slayer's standard armour, fear not. Doom Eternal boasts a way to customize your avatar, even turning this killing machine into the DOOMicorn. Yes, your Doom Slayer can be personalized to look like a unicorn, because why not? 

Players can claim the DOOMicorn Slayer Master Collection featuring a dozen goodies by linking their Bethesda account to their Twitch Prime account.  

Check out the contents of the collection below: 

• DOOMicorn Slayer Skin 

• Purple Pony Skin Variant 

• Night-mare Skin Variant 

• Magic Meadow Base Podium 

• For Those Who Dare to Dream! Maxed-Out Podium 

• Clip Clop Stance Animation 

• Haymaker Intro Animation 

• Horsing Around Victory Animation 

• Love Conquers All Player Icon 

• Super Sparkle Slayer Nameplate & Title 

Clearly, hell hath no fury like a DOOMicorn scorned... 

Closing Thoughts 

Doom Eternal looks absolutely stunning and from everything we've seen so far, it looks like a whole lot of fun and will likely do the iconic franchise justice.  

We simply can't wait to play it. Don't forget to join in on the celebration with us, and remember, the only good Cyberdemon is a dead Cyberdemon.