Fortress of Doom (Doom Eternal)

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

The Fortress of Doom is a massive Sentinel space station, serving as a central hub and player base in Doom Eternal. It offers an in-game setting to display the Easter egg items collected by the player, unlock various items, as well as practice safe fights in the "Ripatorium".

The player can obtain several weapons in the Fortress of Doom over the course of the game's story after specific missions; the flame belch is introduced after Hell on Earth, the ice bomb is introduced after Exultia, the ballista is obtained after Doom Hunter Base and the Unmaykr is unlocked after obtaining six Empyrean Keys as early as after Taras Nabad. All of these weapons (barring the Unmaykr) are required for the story to progress.

Once the player has set their destination to Nekravol, they will be warned that they cannot return to the Fortress of Doom until the end of the game.

Lore[edit]

All weapons on display in the fortress.
The Crucible acting as the fortress's power supply.

The Fortress of Doom is the Doom Slayer's combined spaceship and base of operations. It was originally a Night Sentinel command station, built during the reign of King Danak. Despite the close involvement of the Maykrs in its construction, its primary systems appear to have been specifically intended for Argenta use. Regardless, the Khan Maykr still has influence over some of its subsystems, as can be seen when she remotely deactivates its power supply (which is replaced with the demonic Crucible by the Slayer, to the bemusement of Samuel Hayden). The fortress has no propulsion systems, and instead uses an unknown process utilizing Sentinel energy to manipulate space around itself in order to move (similar to an Alcubierre drive).

According to VEGA, the fortress is likely to be the last trace of what was once a much larger fleet.

Easter eggs[edit]

The portrait of the Slayer holding his pet bunny Daisy was originally a piece of fan art created by Ian Nielsen (Xous) [1] and placed into the game after an initiative from id Software's Kathleen Tigue.

The two original Doom games are both playable on the computer: Doom is unlocked by collecting all 14 cheat code diskettes in the main game (two are hidden in the fortress itself), and Doom II is unlocked by entering the password "FLYNNTAGGART" when prompted.

The skateboard is a reference to Doomguy's presence in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 as an unlockable character.

Bookshelf[edit]

The Doom Slayer's library is filled with Doom-themed parodies of classic literature (most of them simply shoehorning "slay", "rip and tear", "demon", "guts", or a level name from Doom (2016) in the title) and references to other video games.

Literature:

Video games:

  • My Buddy Superfly by Hiro Miyamoto: Daikatana. The protagonist of this game was named Hiro Miyamoto. One of the NPC teammates was called Superfly Johnson. The phrase "I can't leave without my buddy Superfly", which was used to tell the player they had to make sure their AI companions were nearby before exiting the level, became a meme. The name of this character was, in turn, a reference to an old Doom fansite, "Abode of the Superfly".
  • Why I'm So Great Pt. II by Dork Norkem: Duke Nukem series. Duke Nukem II started with Duke in a TV show, presenting his new book "Why I'm So Great", and in Duke Nukem Forever, Duke signs a boy's copy of that book.
  • Devilish Daggers & Other Assorted Pointy Objects: Devil Daggers. An indie video game released the same year as Doom (2016), with a retro aesthetic and gameplay inspired by Doom and Quake.
  • LIANDRI - A Brief History of Interplanetary Industry: Unreal Tournament. The Tournament is organized by the Liandri Mining Corporation.
  • Von Braun - Onboard AI System Technical Manual: System Shock 2. The Von Braun is the spaceship in which the game starts. Its AI, named Xerxes, was taken over by enemies, and shutting down Xerxes is a major goal in the game.
  • Mesa Science Monthly - Predicting Unforeseen Consequences: Half-Life. The game is set in the Black Mesa Research Facility. "Unforeseen Consequences" is the name of the first "real" level of the game, after the introduction part is over. In addition, it appears as a phrase in later sequels.
  • U-NAT-CO Training Manual: Bomb Defusal: Deus Ex. The UNATCO (acronym for "United Nations Anti-Terrorist COalition") is the organization the protagonist, JC Denton, works for at the start of the game. The reaction of the protagonist when a bomb is found in a helicopter has become a meme.
  • The Spear of Destiny: A Post-War Deconstruction: Wolfenstein 3D. The commercial game made with the same engine and mostly the same assets is entitled Spear of Destiny.
  • Living With Rage - and Other Common Emotions in the Apocalyptic Wasteland: Rage. The game does take place in an apocalyptic wasteland.
  • THE STROGG: A Transdimensional Field Study: Quake II. The Strogg are the enemies in that game, an empire of evil cyborgs invading other planets with teleportation technology to stripmine them of resources and forcibly converting their denizens into more mind-controlled cyborgs for their armies. The BFG-10000 also resembles the Strogg's Big Gun weapon system.
  • RET-CONNED: The Life and Times of Flynn Taggart: Doom novels. The main protagonist in the official novelization of the classic Doom games is called Flynn Taggart. The story in these novels rapidly diverges greatly from the game, however, effectively retconning everything. "FLYNNTAGGART" is also the password to unlock Doom II as mentioned above.
  • From Nopefish to Dopefish: The Dope Tale: Commander Keen IV. The Dopefish from that game, originally described as a ravenous idiot, has managed to find its way into cameo appearances into many other games: a true success story.
  • Tei Tenga - Offworld Travel Guide: Doom Bible. The fictional planet of Tei Tenga was the originally-planned setting for Doom, before the action was moved to the moons of Mars.
  • Cooking from Hell's Kitchen - Thy Flesh Consumed. The Ultimate Doom. Thy Flesh Consumed is the name of the fourth episode added to Doom for its retail release. In addition, Hell's Kitchen is the title of a reality television show which involves cooking.
  • 2 Prey or Not 2 Prey. Prey. This game had a sequel, long in development hell, that was ultimately canceled by Bethesda. An unrelated game was later released by a different studio, simply titled Prey rather than Prey 2.
  • Vault Dweller's Survival Guide - Preparing Yourself and Your Loved Ones For the Inevitable Nuclear Apocalypse. Fallout series. The setting's premise is that just before the Great War, a worldwide catacylismic nuclear event where many took refuge in secure underground shelters called "vaults". These people and their descendants are referred to as "Vault Dwellers."
  • Nuka-Cola - A History from the Atomic Age of Flavor. Fallout series. Nuka-Cola is the number-one brand of soft drinks in this setting.
  • Mr. Fuzzy and Teddy Fear. Fallout series. A gold tie Mr. Fuzzy plush is found on the first level "Hell on Earth" and a Teddy Fear bear appears on the fifth level "Super Gore Nest."

In addition to the jokes, there is one large book entitled "how to comb your mustache" by "Clifton M. Fischbach". This is actually a homage to the late father of popular YouTuber Markiplier.

Commander Keen's skull, helmet, and neural stunner are stored on top of the bookshelf. The lower shelves contain Slayer-branded game consoles and several classic id Software game boxes, including the original Doom and Doom II, Quake, and Quake III Arena.

Records[edit]

Main article: Doom Eternal albums

Sixteen vinyl records are hidden throughout the levels. Finding them adds a corresponding poster to the Fortress of Doom. The records are of songs from various id Software games.

Demon toys[edit]

Complete toy collection.
Main article: Doom Eternal toys

29 demon toys and one slayer toy can be collected throughout the levels. When the player collects all 30, the 31st, the Icon of Sin, appears in its spot with the rest of the toys. Activating one of the demon toys allows the player to open the model viewer for the character in question.

Collectibles[edit]

The Fortress of Doom contains several collectible items, as well as the Unmaykr and three Slayer skins.

The Unmaykr is sealed inside a containment device at the back of the fortress, on the middle floor. It can be obtained after completing Taras Nabad, provided that all six Empyrean Keys have been obtained by completing the Slayer Gate encounters.

  • Two modbots
    1. Both modbots can be found behind the Unmaykr containment chamber, each requiring two Sentinel batteries to unlock.
  • Three Sentinel crystals
    1. To the right of the console on the main bridge. Taking it is mandatory for game progress.
    2. Two crystals can be found on the bottom floor at the back of the fortress, each requiring two Sentinel batteries to unlock.
  • Five Praetor suit points
    1. A Night Sentinel spirit appears behind the Unmaykr containment chamber after using the Ripatorium for the first time. Taking it is mandatory for game progress.
    2. Two more Night Sentinels can be found behind the Unmaykr containment chamber, each requiring two Sentinel batteries to unlock.
    3. Two Night Sentinels can be found behind the doorways either side of the Atlan torso, each requiring two Sentinel batteries to unlock.
  • One Codex page
    1. "The Fortress of Doom" - inside the Slayer's private room, available after completing Exultia.
  • Two cheat codes
    1. "All Runes" - Enter the tower containing the "original Praetor suit" skin then turn left to see a hole in the wall. Step backwards out of this hole and you will see a doorway at the base of the tower as you fall. Dash into it to find the question mark.
    2. "Fully Upgraded Suit" - After completing the Sentinel Prime level, go to the room with the demonic Crucible then look up and right to see a stained-glass window with a red button. Shoot the button to activate a launcher that will propel you up to a vent leading to the question mark.
  • Three Slayer skins
    1. "Classic Doom marine" - on the top floor at the back of the fortress, requiring two Sentinel batteries to unlock.
    2. "Sentinel Training armor" - inside the left-hand tower outside the fortress, requiring two Sentinel batteries to unlock.
    3. "Original Praetor suit" - inside the right-hand tower outside the fortress, requiring two Sentinel batteries to unlock.

Inspiration and development[edit]

A late beta build of the level featured in a video interview with director Hugo Martin by IGN. One notable difference is that the desktop wallpaper of the Slayer's custom gaming PC consisted of a screenshot from Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, presumably meant to be a photograph taken by B.J. Blazkowicz and retained by the Slayer.[2] An unknown glitch in the game is capable of making this beta wallpaper appear in the final version of the game.[3]

Trivia[edit]

A photo of the Slayer's family.
  • On the floor in the Slayer's room, there is a torn photograph showing a woman, child, and a third figure whose face cannot be seen. According to Hugo Martin, this was the Slayer's family.
  • On the Slayer's desk, the pizzas and snacks are of the same brand as those in Olivia Pierce's room in Doom (2016).
  • Activating the launcher leading to the Fully Upgraded Suit cheat will play the "door opening" sound from the original Doom, and dropping down to the cheat code plays the "door closing" sound as the launcher deactivates.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Xous (23 March 2020). "I wanted to hold off on addressing this..." Twitter. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  2. Martin, Hugo (14 February 2020). "DOOM Eternal: A Tour of the Doom Slayer's Man Cave (Fortress of Doom) - IGN First." YouTube. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  3. u/axwieldr (9 December 2022). "Stopped playing eternal for about half a year and came back to it today. Has the slayers PC always looked like this????" Reddit. Retrieved 13 December 2022.