Horde Mode has been a highly requested feature for DOOM Eternal for some time, a mode that would allow Slayers to defeat waves of demonic foes. Sadly, Eternal's highly-anticipated multiplayer Invasion Mode was shelved due to difficulties born out of the physical disconnect of the team during the pandemic. Thankfully, id Software was able to produce a Horde Mode to compensate for Invasion's absence. While the Invasion Mode would have allowed human players to take over the roles of demons within players' campaigns, Horde Mode will be an exclusively single-player experience.
Since its release, DOOM Eternal has won many awards and earned its reputation as one of the most beloved installments of the DOOM franchise. The development team switched to remote work shortly after DOOM Eternal's release due to the pandemic, hindering planned projects and expansions for the title.
Few specifics have been released about the upcoming Doom Eternal Horde Mode, though id Software developer Hugo Martin stated in a studio update that Horde Mode would revive certain aspects of DOOM 2016's Arcade Mode. Martin stated that Horde Mode is designed to make players feel rewarded for their efforts through "new combat experiences." Horde Mode will be free for all players to access.
Click here to watch the full DOOM Eternal Studio Update with Marty Stratton and Hugo Martin.
DOOM Eternal's Horde Mode Release Date
DOOM Eternal's Horde Mode currently lacks a concrete release date, though id Software has confirmed it is aiming for a Fall 2021 release. Horde Mode will be implemented into the game as part of update 6.66. This update will also include a fix for Doom Eternal's Battle Mode that seeks to improve PvP's skill-based matchmaking. Developers at id Software have acknowledged the difficulty of working from home, as the company continues to develop DOOM Eternal remotely. The lack of a concrete release date is likely a precaution due to unforeseen complications with remote game development.
DOOM Eternal's Horde Mode Gameplay
Like most horde modes in video games, DOOM Eternal's Horde Mode gameplay will pit players against waves of randomized enemies. This game mode seeks to introduce a different kind of replayability than the game has had previously. Players will enter an arena and defeat hoards of demonic foes in a set location. Powerful enemies will be marked as valuable targets and need to be defeated within certain time constraints. These valuable targets could encompass a single demon, such as a Marauder, or a group of multiple enemies. Horde Mode will also feature traversal puzzles that pose as much danger to Slayers as the demons. Accomplishing certain challenges within Horde Mode will unlock additional waves and bonus rooms, awarding more points to push Slayers' scores higher on the leaderboard. The round will end after players have defeated all enemies and successfully cleared unlocked areas.
DOOM Eternal's Horde Mode Scoring And Leaderboards
Though DOOM Eternal's new mode will be a single-player experience, Slayers will still be able to compare their scores to others through the mode's leaderboard. Points will be awarded based on successfully navigating traversal puzzles, unlocking bonus rooms, how quickly players defeat high-value targets, and how many BFG shots are left once the round is over. Horde Mode's valuable targets are vital to securing a high score, with the time spent defeating the marked demon corresponding to a gold, silver, or bronze tier. Each of these tiers will reward different amounts of points and may be required to unlock bonus rooms. Once the round has ended, players will be rewarded with a Slayer Rank and placed on the leaderboard to compete against other fans.
DOOM Eternal's Horde Mode may call the future of an Invasion Mode into question, but it's bringing a much-desired component to an already successful shooter. Players will have access to Horde Mode once update 6.66 is released in the fall. DOOM Eternal fans should keep an eye on the official website and id Software's Twitter account for announcements and updates.