DOOM MATES is a multiplayer horror game for up to five players on PC. Four players take on the role of crew members tasked with completing jobs inside hostile facilities, while one player becomes the hunter that stalks the group. The experience blends cooperative objectives with asymmetric tension, where survival depends on coordination and quick thinking under pressure.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on completing a series of tasks scattered throughout the environment. Crew members must navigate locked areas, interact with objects, and progress through objectives that do not open automatically. Splitting up can speed up job completion, yet it increases the risk of isolation when the hunter strikes. Proximity voice chat adds another layer, as nearby players hear conversations while distant ones remain unaware, and the hunter can listen in on close-range talk as well.
Physical interaction plays a key role. Players can pick up and throw almost any object in the environment to knock down opponents or create distractions. This system encourages creative use of the surroundings during both evasion and pursuit. When the hunter catches a crew member, the encounter triggers a personalized jumpscare recorded by the hunter player via webcam, complete with optional 3D masks and audio effects. The game also features a scream-o-meter that analyzes microphone input to detect genuine reactions versus calm responses, rewarding players who maintain composure.
Game Modes
Two primary modes shape the sessions. Extraction focuses on finishing the job list and escaping the facility as a team. Quest mode shifts emphasis toward specific objectives that may require more deliberate exploration and teamwork. Both modes operate within the same core ruleset, with the hunter role rotating or assigned per round to keep matches unpredictable.
A prop hunt variant lets players transform into everyday objects such as televisions, chairs, or tables. This option introduces stealth and deception elements, allowing crew members to hide in plain sight or the hunter to blend into the scenery for ambushes.
Procedural Maps and Variety
Three procedural maps form the current roster: Vertical Prison, Liminal, and Facility 014. Each run generates fresh layouts, preventing players from memorizing routes or relying on prior knowledge. Additional maps are planned. The procedural design ensures no two sessions feel identical, supporting repeated play without repetition of the same paths or hiding spots.
Custom jumpscare creation further extends replayability. Hunters record their own scares, apply effects, and deploy them upon successful catches. Crew members can prepare countermeasures in advance, turning each encounter into a personal contest of creativity and nerve.
Is It Worth Playing?
DOOM MATES targets fans of asymmetric multiplayer horror who enjoy short, intense sessions built around teamwork and surprise. The combination of job-based objectives, hunter pursuit, custom scares, and voice proximity creates a focused experience that rewards coordination and quick adaptation. Procedural maps and the ability to record personal jumpscares add longevity for groups that play regularly.
The game remains in a pre-release state with a coming soon listing and no user reviews available yet. System requirements list a microphone as essential for proximity chat and a webcam for custom scares, which may limit accessibility for some. Players who value experimental mechanics in small-team horror should monitor its launch for the full picture of balance and polish once it becomes available.
