A tiny callback in a very loud game
Doom Eternal’s Dopefish is a deliberately small discovery: tucked away in a hidden corner, the buck-toothed cartoon fish feels almost absurd beside the game’s demons, weapons, and pounding soundtrack. That contrast is the joke. The secret gives players a moment of silliness without changing the relentless tone of the main action.
An old face from id Software’s games
The Dopefish first appeared as an enemy in Commander Keen 4, an earlier game made by id Software, the studio behind Doom Eternal. Since then, the goofy fish has become a recurring in-joke in games and among players. Recognizing it turns a piece of scenery into a callback: a little reminder that the studio’s history includes playful cartoon adventures as well as brutal shooters.
That kind of hidden reference rewards a different way of playing. The main route keeps players moving and fighting; a tucked-away cameo rewards the ones who pause, look around, and wonder whether a corner might contain more than ammunition. Finding the fish is not a new challenge or a clue needed to finish the game. It is a small surprise—and a reminder that even Doom Eternal leaves room for a familiar old joke.
