Looks like a Quake, walks like a Quake…
The first closed alpha test for the latest iteration of DOOM starts tomorrow, and id Software has released a glimpse of what that will look like when players get their hands on it.
The alpha will consist of 6v6 Team Deathmatch on a single map (Heatwave), with a limited arsenal of equipment and weapons. Two significant power-ups, a Demon Rune and a Gauss Cannon, will also be in the environment for players to fight with (and over). Collecting the Demon Rune will temporarily transform a player into a Revenant demon, equipped with a jetpack and dual rocket launchers. The Gauss Cannon is a powerful weapon capable of one-hit kills and providing the ability to see enemies through walls.
Other weapons featured in the Alpha will include the Vortex Rifle, Super Shotgun, Rocket Launcher, Static Cannon, Plasma Rifle and a Repeater.
The alpha will run through the weekend, ending on October 25, and will be available on PC (via Steam), PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Players who purchased Wolfenstein: The New Blood prior to May 26, 2014 (thereby ensuring access to the upcoming DOOM beta) may be chosen to participate in the alpha test also. Eligible players can sign up on the official DOOM website for a chance to be selected.
The combat pace, vertical elements, and power-up emphasis shown in the video reminds me more of Quake than DOOM. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, and the brutal looking melee looks like it might give a little bit more of that DOOM edge.
Sources: YouTube, Official FAQ
