DOOM Eternal: Final DLC Faces Controversy Over Difficulty
May 2, 2025
id Software released *DOOM Eternal*’s final DLC, *Hell’s End*, on May 1, 2025, concluding the Slayer’s saga, but its brutal difficulty has sparked controversy. Available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, the $15 DLC (free for Year Two Pass owners) adds a 5-hour campaign, new demons, and an ‘Apocalypse’ mode, per IGN. While praised for its carnage, the steep challenge has divided fans, dominating X and Reddit discussions.
*Hell’s End* pits the Doom Slayer against the Infernal Pantheon in a molten netherworld. New enemies, like the Flame Seraph, require precise weapon swaps, while the ‘Oblivion Tyrant’ boss demands mastery of all mechanics. Apocalypse mode ramps up enemy speed by 20%, with no checkpoints. X posts with #DOOMEternal and #HellsEnd trend for Seraph kill clips, amassing 10,000 likes, but difficulty complaints overshadow the gore. id Software touted 4K 120fps and ray-tracing, enhancing the chaos.
Fan reactions are mixed. Discord lauds the visuals, with 50% of a 4,000-user Reddit poll praising the Tyrant’s spectacle. However, 35% call the difficulty “unfair,” citing Apocalypse’s one-life rule. X user @SlayerFan, with 8,000 likes, slammed the “masochistic” design, while @DOOMVet defended it as “peak Eternal.” id Software responded on X, promising a May 10 patch to add difficulty sliders, but purists argue it dilutes the vision. Steam reviews sit at 75% positive, reflecting the split.
The DLC’s polish shines, with new weapons like the ‘Hellbreaker Shotgun’ adding explosive flair. Community guides on Reddit suggest chaining Ballista and Super Shotgun for Seraphs, warning against melee reliance. Twitch streams spiked 25% post-launch, per SullyGnome, but rage-quits dominate Apocalypse runs. X posts share boycott calls from casuals, while hardcore fans celebrate the challenge, citing *DOOM 2016*’s intensity as precedent.
*Hell’s End* competes with *Quake*’s revival, pushing id’s legacy. *Eternal*’s 10 million sales justify the DLC, but the difficulty risks alienating newcomers. Discord debates highlight the Tyrant’s 15-minute fight, with 25% wanting nerfs. X clips of Hellbreaker combos showcase the DLC’s strengths, but Reddit threads urge id to balance accessibility. id’s patch could sway sentiment, but transparency is key, with X users demanding clear notes.
Community workarounds, like BFG spam for Tyrants, circulate on Discord, easing clears. Players share glory kill strats, recommending +Ammo runes for sustained DPS. The DLC’s modding potential, with new demon skins, excites X fans, but difficulty limits casual engagement. id Software’s challenge is balancing hardcore roots with broader appeal, especially after *Eternal*’s acclaim.
*DOOM Eternal: Hell’s End* is a brutal finale, but its difficulty divides the fanbase. Its visceral combat deserves praise, but id must address backlash to cement its legacy. The community’s passion, evident in X clips and Discord strats, keeps hope alive for a balanced patch. #GamingNews #DOOMEternal
