Ah yes, noxious “git good” elitism
Doom Eternal is a mechanically sound game and it isn’t difficult in the way that say ‘Souls’ game are, but it isn’t an amazing experience. The combat loop is fine and some of the level design is very good, but it’s artistically uninspired, the new lore is utter drivel, and the game lacks atmosphere. It doesn’t feel like classic Doom and I don’t think it’s anywhere near as well rounded as Doom 2016.
Is Doom 2016 easy? Yes.
Does Doom Eternal “expect more from the player”? Sure.
Does that translate into a better experience? No.
The art direction in 2016 is vastly superior, despite it being technically inferior. The combat is solid and the environments are fantastic. I wish it had been more Metroidvania, but despite its shortcomings I adore the game.
Eternal was disappointing. It’s more “game”, but it has no charm. The Maykrs are hideously designed and boring to fight. The platforming isn’t hard, but it also isn’t Doom. It’s it’s own thing and I respect what they were trying to do, but I would rather they’d have saved the platforming for whatever they’re doing with Quake than try and shoehorn it into a Doom game.
Neither are perfect games, but I had a lot more fun with 2016 and it’s the game I return to more often. Both have awful multiplayer modes, so I’m only judging the single player campaigns, but as far as I’m concerned 2016 has more going for it.
Quake will be interesting. Hopefully it has less of the nonsense weapon/ability juggling and is far more straight forward and truer to the original game than Eternal is to Doom and Doom 2.
You know what you really won’t like to hear? I think Doom 3 is a better game than Eternal too