Doom: The Dark Ages is introducing big changes to combat because id Software came to one core realization: "Every projectile mattered in the original Doom"
Creative director Hugo Martin on how Doom: The Dark Ages is a spiritual successor to the original game, and how the Saw Shield will completely upend your expectations
What I didn’t like about Eternal was being forced to use specific weapons to kill certain enemies. For me this kind of shooters are all about use “the right tool for the job”. If I fancy using the two barrels shotgun from start to finish, just let me do so.
For me Doom 2016 was a hugely more enjoyable experience than Eternal. 2016 is arguably one of the greatest linear single player shooters ever made. Eternal felt like a chore once you had all the tools unlocked and I lost interest shortly after. I could have lowered the difficulty so weapon selection didn't matter, but that was clearly not the design intent.
Ultrakill does the "swap between weapons quickly for interesting combos" much better IMO -- it's not necessary but it's a value add and it's super fun to pull off.
I lowered the difficulty, and I were able to kill bigger enemies with the weapon of my choice. But they became bullet sponges. There's no fun in that. I too prefer 2016, I like my shotgun.
That isn't the point. The point is you shouldn't feel shoehorned into playing a specific intended strategy. Doom is about turning off your brain and slaying.
Okay, so while you can't literally use nothing but the SSG for the entirety of Doom II (especially since you don't get it until MAP02), you can comfortably use it at least 90% of the time on UV. Shells are plentiful throughout the game.
Sounds more like an "easy mode" thing. Have certain enemies immune to certain guns on the harder difficulties. Want to just use the shotgun? Play easy mode. Want to be more strategic? Play a harder difficulty.