Press chainsaw to reload

There’s no mistake that bothAnimal Crossing: New HorizonsandDoom Eternalhave both proven big successes, with both consistently popping up in my social media feed. But whileAnimal Crossinghas been opening up a surprising discourse of some players who feel inadequate — comparing themselves to people with absolutely insanely designed islands — I’ve noticed a much simpler sentiment being shared acrossDoom Eternal: that it’s harder than some expected.

Now full disclosure, I’m talking strictly from the perspective of the shared zeitgeist from browsing social media. I haven’t boughtDoom Eternalyet because I’d budgetedNioh 2andAnimal Crossing, and I’m planning on getting it maybe next month or so. Still, I’ve absorbed a lot of secondhand information about whatDoom Eternalis like, as well as how much harder it is compared to the last romp through hell.

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I’ve heard how there’s less ammo overall to go around and how the chainsaw has been sarcastically referred to as the reload button, how there are a tougher variety of enemies and that fodder enemies are basically ammo pickups that move around, and the expanded arsenal of movement options and tools at your disposal that you’re expected to utilize or die trying.

Granted, difficulty is a subjective thing. But it does sound likeDoom Eternalis asking more from the player in terms of execution compared toDoom2016, a game I remember mostly as strafing hell knights with a super shotgun until I decided to create new body cavities with my fist. Honestly, the whole discussion is very reminiscent of my time spent discoveringDevil May Cry 3, a game that demands more execution from the player then your usual action title, offering a large selection of tools you’ll be expected to use.

The opening area of the Whisper mission, in a small grove.

Maybe a lot of people don’t really consider it harder, just different. You are expected to deal with weak points and ammo management now. But maybe some people think it is hard to spin a few more plates at once.Doom Eternalsounds like a shift in what it delivers, with an expanded narrative, bigger levels, and the central hub that is the Fortress of Doom. But who knows? I am routinely surprised by the diversity of comments. But what do you think? Is it actually harder compared to the previous iteration or do you think the level of challenge it presents is fine, at least by your personal level of skill? Comment down below how you feel aboutDoom Eternal’s difficulty.

The Divide in the Cosmodrome, where the Guardian was resurrected.

A holofoil Ribbontail, as seen in collections.

The Phoneutria Fera hand cannon, inspired by the Season of the Haunted armor set. It has a unique, galactic glow.

Three Fuses appear in a match of Apex Legends' Wild Card mode.

Mad Maggie opens a supply bin and an item with a symbol indicating infinite ammo appears.

Legends slide through a zipline in King’s Canyon in Apex Legends.

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The Yeartide Apex tex Mechanica SMG with a Holofoil glow.