15th March

Hello and welcome back to our latest update on the games we’ve been immersed in lately. Bertie finds himself drawn to Hell-based games, delving into the intense world of Doom Eternal and also exploring the depths of Diablo. Meanwhile, Tom takes a new approach to Avowed by adjusting the difficulty level for a fresh experience.

Share with us what games you’ve been enjoying recently.

For past editions, check out our What We’ve Been Playing archive.

Doom Eternal, PC

A series of three gigantic doors opens in Doom Eternal, showing a tower lit by an orange beam of light in the distance beyond. — Image credit: Eurogamer / id Software

The Doom Slayer's hand clutches the throat of a grey, shrivelled Hell Priest in Doom Eternal. — Image credit: Eurogamer / id Software

It’s hard to believe that Doom Eternal is already five years old. Having previously missed out on it, I’m diving into its chaos now. And wow, what a thrill ride.

Compared to Doom 2016, Eternal immerses you in Hell’s realm right from the start. The devastated Earth, or Earth-like planet, serves as the battleground for a colossal conflict. The intricate Hellish architecture, in shades of blood-red and fiery orange, dominates the landscape with its menacing presence. The sheer scale of the war remnants is awe-inspiring.

The grandeur of the game is encapsulated in a remarkable scene early on, where not one, but three massive Hell doors open in a synchronised fashion, revealing a tower bathed in an orange beam of light in the distance. Doom Eternal excels in exceeding expectations and delivering a truly intense experience. It’s a spectacle of excess, pushing boundaries at every turn.

As I continue my journey, I am eager to see where the adrenaline-fueled ride takes me next.

-Bertie

Avowed, Xbox Series X

Some tips for people starting out in Avowed.Watch on YouTube

Diving deeper into Avowed, I faced a challenging encounter with bears that left me on the brink of defeat. After some experimentation, I decided to adjust the difficulty level, transforming the game into a more approachable experience. Now, wielding an axe that feels almost comically powerful, I find myself effortlessly dispatching formidable foes with ease.

Exploring the vibrant world of Avowed, I appreciate the architectural wonders and picturesque landscapes that unfold before me. Despite minor visual imperfections on Xbox, the overall aesthetic and grandeur of the game are captivating. It’s intriguing to imagine a game with similar scale and beauty set in the realms of Middle-earth, a thought sparked by recent viewings of the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy with my son.

-Tom O

Diablo 4, PlayStation 5

It’s staggering the amount of work Blizzard does on Diablo 4. This is a week-old video covering some upcoming changes. The changes mean Diablo 4 feels like quite a different game when you don’t play it for a while, but it’s always welcoming to go back to.Watch on YouTube

Returning to the dark world of Diablo 4, I am once again captivated by its infernal allure. Upon reaching level 60, the pace of progression accelerates unexpectedly, contrary to traditional leveling patterns in games. This rapid surge in power is a testament to strategic decisions made prior to hitting the level cap.

Equipped with Ancestral Legendary gear and bolstered by stored Paragon levels, my character experiences a substantial boost in strength as new opportunities for customization and enhancement unfold. The revamped loot system in Diablo 4 allows for extensive alterations to equipment properties, offering players significant control over their power levels and gameplay experience.

The outcome is a staggering display of power, bordering on the absurd – a quintessential aspect of the Diablo series.

-Bertie