Difference between revisions of "Mars Core"

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{{Doom Eternal missions}}
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{{Doom Eternal missions|pic=mars_core.jpg}}
{{TimelyStub}}
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'''Mars Core''' is the seventh level of [[Doom Eternal]]. After learning from [[Samuel Hayden]] that [[Deag Grav]], the final [[Hell priest]], is on [[Sentinel Prime]], the [[Doom Slayer]] must proceed to [[Mars]] to locate a trans-dimensional gateway to Sentinel Prime, hidden in the planet's core within the lost [[Night Sentinel]] city of Hebeth. As [[VEGA]] confirms there are no pathways leading there, the Slayer travels to [[Phobos]] to gain access to its [[BFG-10000 (Doom Eternal)|BFG-10000]] orbital defense system and blast a hole in Mars directly to the core.
'''Mars Core''' is the seventh level of [[Doom Eternal]]. Beginning at the orbital defense base on the moon of [[Phobos]], the [[Doom Slayer]] battles an ongoing invasion while intending to reach the core of [[Mars]], where an ancient [[Night Sentinel]] slipgate resides. Through the use of an orbital weapon system known as the BFG-10000, the planet Mars itself suffers massive damage, directly creating a path to its core.
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The [[BFG-9000 (Doom Eternal)|BFG-9000]] weapon is found in this level. The [[Maykr drone]] enemy is also introduced in this level via the [[Slayer Gate]].
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{{Quote|With the help of [[Samuel Hayden]], the final Hell priest has been located on Sentinel Prime - a city from your past. The only known path to this now accursed place is through the dimensional gateway hidden in the core of [[Mars]], wherein the lost city of Hebeth resides. The journey there will take time you can't afford to waste - a dilemma which calls for a more...direct approach.|Loading description|nosource=true}}
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==Lore==
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Originally established as a mining and communication relay, the [[UAC]] outpost on Phobos was expanded following the destruction of the Argent facility on Mars at the request of the UAC's board of directors, who wished to retain their monopoly over the planet. The expansion plan included the addition of a [[BFG-10000 (Doom Eternal)|BFG-10000]] particle cannon; derived from BFG-9000 technology, this would become the largest man-made weapon platform ever conceived.
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The city of Hebeth once bridged a number of disparate Sentinel cities thanks to its slipgate, but was lost in the crusades of the ancient Sentinels. Its ruins have since been buried deep beneath Mars' quaking surface, and nearly all knowledge of it has been lost to time.
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==Walkthrough==
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{{walkthrough}}
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===Objectives===
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; Shoot a hole in Mars
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: Get to the BFG-10000
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: Retrieve the power source
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; Evacuate the Phobos base
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; Reach the portal
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: Use the ion catapult
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: Get to the escape pod
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===Challenges===
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* '''Big Ba-da Boom''' - Kill 40 demons with a very big gun
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* '''Disarmament''' - Destroy three arm cannon weak points on [[Mancubus (Doom Eternal)|mancubi]]
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* '''Lock and Key''' - Find the [[Slayer Key]]
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===Collectibles===
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{{Doom Eternal collectibles|crystals=1|praetor=5|codex=2|batteries=3|empyrean=1|toys=3|cheats=1|albums=2}}
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==Areas / screenshots==
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<gallery mode=nolines widths="250px" heights="141px">
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Mars Core ion catapult.jpg|Ion catapult
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Mars Core aftermath.jpg|The hole made in Mars by the BFG
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Mars Core slipgate approach.jpg|The broken bridge leading to the slipgate.
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</gallery>
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==Master Level==
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A Master Level version of this mission was released with [[Doom Eternal version history#Update 6.66|Update 6.66]] on {{timeline|2021|October 26, 2021}}, which makes a number of changes to significantly increase the level's difficulty:
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* The number and variety of monsters is greatly increased, including the [[whiplash spectre]] from ''[[The Ancient Gods, Part One]]''. Monsters that normally appear later in the campaign are included, including [[tyrant]]s and [[Arch-vile (Doom Eternal)|arch-viles]].
 +
* Collectibles, challenges, secret encounters and the Demonic Corruption meter are removed, along with the [[automap station]] and the Slayer Key. Some items are replaced with soulspheres or spirit armor.
 +
* Environmental hazards such as laser grids, heavy fog and purple goo are added throughout the level.
 +
* Ten challenges are introduced which require the player to complete the level at different [[Skill level#Doom Eternal skill levels|difficulties]], including Ultra-Nightmare. The "Classic Mode" introduced with the [[Super Gore Nest]] is retained here, where the player starts with an unmodified [[Combat shotgun (Doom Eternal)|combat shotgun]] (plus all auxiliary weapons and the [[Plasma rifle (Doom Eternal)|plasma rifle]] collected in the opening cutscene) and must collect more weapons and modifications as they progress. Each individual challenge has its own cosmetic item unlock, and completing all ten challenges unlocks a red chrome skin for the plasma rifle.
  
 
==Pre-release==
 
==Pre-release==
Line 7: Line 49:
  
 
The noticeable differences from the reveal to the final product includes the following:
 
The noticeable differences from the reveal to the final product includes the following:
* The player takes control of the Doom Slayer before walking inside the elevator, as opposed to starting inside the elevator in the final version.
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* The player takes control of the Slayer before walking inside the elevator, as opposed to starting inside the elevator in the final version.
 
* The PA system inside the Phobos outpost has a different voice actor.
 
* The PA system inside the Phobos outpost has a different voice actor.
 
* The exclusion of the green cracks before exiting out of a vent during the reveal.
 
* The exclusion of the green cracks before exiting out of a vent during the reveal.
* The exclusion of the UAC Spokesperson hologram before entering outside.
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* The exclusion of the UAC Spokesperson hologram before exiting outside.
* The exclusion of a One-Up outside.
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* The exclusion of an extra life outside.
* The ballista's arbalest weapon mod has the interface of what would look like the destroyer blade's zoom reticle during the reveal.
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* The exclusion of Samuel Hayden and [[VEGA]] throughout the level, presumably to avoid spoilers.
* The exclusion of Samuel Hayden and VEGA throughout the level, presumably to avoid spoilers.
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* The exclusion of the Doom hunter and dread knights near the BFG-10000.
* The exclusion of the [[Doom hunter]] and [[dread knight]]s near the BFG-10000, in which it is undergoing refinement phase or development at that time.
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* The exclusion of the [[Chaingun (Doom Eternal)|chaingun]] throughout the level, likely being developed at that time. The final version introduces the chaingun as a mandatory pickup in Super Gore Nest to advance the level, although the part of the level itself was not seen at that time, further supporting the theory.
* The exclusion of the [[Chaingun (Doom Eternal)|chaingun]] throughout the level, likely being developed at that time. The final version introduces the chaingun as a mandatory pickup in [[Super Gore Nest]] to advance the level, although the part of the level itself was not seen at that time, further supporting the theory.
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* The main entrance to the BFG-10000 is accessible in the reveal, which contains an [[Arch-vile (Doom Eternal)|arch-vile]]. The Slayer pulls out and swings his [[Crucible (Doom Eternal)|Crucible blade]] in a cinematic, after which the reveal ended. In the final version, however, the main entrance is inaccessible and a maintenance hatch underneath is taken instead. Both the arch-vile and the Crucible are introduced later, on [[Taras Nabad]].
** It is possible to skip the chaingun through the use of glitches and exploits.
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* The entrance to the BFG-10000 is accessible in the reveal, which reveals an [[Arch-vile (Doom Eternal)|arch-vile]] at the other side of the door with the Doom Slayer pulling out and swinging his [[Crucible (Doom Eternal)|Crucible blade]] as the reveal ended in a cinematic fashion. In the final version however, the entrance is inaccessible, as the maintenance hatch is taken instead. Both the arch-vile and the Crucible blade are also introduced later.
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==Trivia==
* The exclusion of the [[ice bomb]] throughout all playthroughs, likely under development. The aforementioned flame belch takes its place when switching equipment types.
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* Development resources and developer-only portions of the level refer to the final Martian core area of the level as "Hell," and indeed, various infernal influences seem to be present in that location in the form of torrents of lava and other small objects which do not obey normal gravity, and a whispering voice that can be heard on the wind when the Slayer first lands his escape pod. The Fast Travel system also refers to this area as Hell, indicating that the nature of the curse on the area is demonic in origin and has lingered on since the fall of the city.
* Ammo count is increased, on par to Doom 2016 as opposed to low ammo capacity to facilitate the use of the [[Chainsaw (Doom Eternal)|chainsaw]].
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* Two of the Fast Travel destinations in the meteor section of the level are titled "Alpha Labs" and "Delta Labs". They may be a reference to the [[Doom 3]] locations of the same names.
* Heads-Up Display and (specifically for this level) the map display is akin to Doom 2016, as opposed to its final version.
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* In the Master Level version of this stage, two tyrants appear by the final slipgate. This may have been inspired by a reveal video at E3 2019, which ends with a tyrant emerging from that portal.
** In addition, weapons with certain weapon mods will zoom the HUD alongside with the screen. It briefly disappears on some sequences (such as starting to climb a wall).
 
  
 
{{Doom Eternal levels|master=yes}}
 
{{Doom Eternal levels|master=yes}}

Revision as of 12:56, 29 December 2021

Doom Eternal missions
Mars Core
The Ancient Gods, Part One
The Ancient Gods, Part Two

Mars Core is the seventh level of Doom Eternal. After learning from Samuel Hayden that Deag Grav, the final Hell priest, is on Sentinel Prime, the Doom Slayer must proceed to Mars to locate a trans-dimensional gateway to Sentinel Prime, hidden in the planet's core within the lost Night Sentinel city of Hebeth. As VEGA confirms there are no pathways leading there, the Slayer travels to Phobos to gain access to its BFG-10000 orbital defense system and blast a hole in Mars directly to the core.

The BFG-9000 weapon is found in this level. The Maykr drone enemy is also introduced in this level via the Slayer Gate.

"With the help of Samuel Hayden, the final Hell priest has been located on Sentinel Prime - a city from your past. The only known path to this now accursed place is through the dimensional gateway hidden in the core of Mars, wherein the lost city of Hebeth resides. The journey there will take time you can't afford to waste - a dilemma which calls for a more...direct approach."
― Loading description

Lore

Originally established as a mining and communication relay, the UAC outpost on Phobos was expanded following the destruction of the Argent facility on Mars at the request of the UAC's board of directors, who wished to retain their monopoly over the planet. The expansion plan included the addition of a BFG-10000 particle cannon; derived from BFG-9000 technology, this would become the largest man-made weapon platform ever conceived.

The city of Hebeth once bridged a number of disparate Sentinel cities thanks to its slipgate, but was lost in the crusades of the ancient Sentinels. Its ruins have since been buried deep beneath Mars' quaking surface, and nearly all knowledge of it has been lost to time.

Walkthrough

A detailed walkthrough is available for this level.

Objectives

Shoot a hole in Mars
Get to the BFG-10000
Retrieve the power source
Evacuate the Phobos base
Reach the portal
Use the ion catapult
Get to the escape pod

Challenges

  • Big Ba-da Boom - Kill 40 demons with a very big gun
  • Disarmament - Destroy three arm cannon weak points on mancubi
  • Lock and Key - Find the Slayer Key

Collectibles

CollectibleCount
Albums2
Cheat codes1
Codex pages2
Empyrean key1
Praetor suit points5
Sentinel batteries3
Sentinel crystals1
Toys3

Areas / screenshots

Master Level

A Master Level version of this mission was released with Update 6.66 on October 26, 2021, which makes a number of changes to significantly increase the level's difficulty:

  • The number and variety of monsters is greatly increased, including the whiplash spectre from The Ancient Gods, Part One. Monsters that normally appear later in the campaign are included, including tyrants and arch-viles.
  • Collectibles, challenges, secret encounters and the Demonic Corruption meter are removed, along with the automap station and the Slayer Key. Some items are replaced with soulspheres or spirit armor.
  • Environmental hazards such as laser grids, heavy fog and purple goo are added throughout the level.
  • Ten challenges are introduced which require the player to complete the level at different difficulties, including Ultra-Nightmare. The "Classic Mode" introduced with the Super Gore Nest is retained here, where the player starts with an unmodified combat shotgun (plus all auxiliary weapons and the plasma rifle collected in the opening cutscene) and must collect more weapons and modifications as they progress. Each individual challenge has its own cosmetic item unlock, and completing all ten challenges unlocks a red chrome skin for the plasma rifle.

Pre-release

A shortened version of the first half of Mars Core was the second level of Doom Eternal to be displayed to the public in the BE3 reveal on June 10, 2018.

The noticeable differences from the reveal to the final product includes the following:

  • The player takes control of the Slayer before walking inside the elevator, as opposed to starting inside the elevator in the final version.
  • The PA system inside the Phobos outpost has a different voice actor.
  • The exclusion of the green cracks before exiting out of a vent during the reveal.
  • The exclusion of the UAC Spokesperson hologram before exiting outside.
  • The exclusion of an extra life outside.
  • The exclusion of Samuel Hayden and VEGA throughout the level, presumably to avoid spoilers.
  • The exclusion of the Doom hunter and dread knights near the BFG-10000.
  • The exclusion of the chaingun throughout the level, likely being developed at that time. The final version introduces the chaingun as a mandatory pickup in Super Gore Nest to advance the level, although the part of the level itself was not seen at that time, further supporting the theory.
  • The main entrance to the BFG-10000 is accessible in the reveal, which contains an arch-vile. The Slayer pulls out and swings his Crucible blade in a cinematic, after which the reveal ended. In the final version, however, the main entrance is inaccessible and a maintenance hatch underneath is taken instead. Both the arch-vile and the Crucible are introduced later, on Taras Nabad.

Trivia

  • Development resources and developer-only portions of the level refer to the final Martian core area of the level as "Hell," and indeed, various infernal influences seem to be present in that location in the form of torrents of lava and other small objects which do not obey normal gravity, and a whispering voice that can be heard on the wind when the Slayer first lands his escape pod. The Fast Travel system also refers to this area as Hell, indicating that the nature of the curse on the area is demonic in origin and has lingered on since the fall of the city.
  • Two of the Fast Travel destinations in the meteor section of the level are titled "Alpha Labs" and "Delta Labs". They may be a reference to the Doom 3 locations of the same names.
  • In the Master Level version of this stage, two tyrants appear by the final slipgate. This may have been inspired by a reveal video at E3 2019, which ends with a tyrant emerging from that portal.