Doom; The Dark Ages - A Medieval Twist on Classic Action

id Software’s upcoming Doom: The Dark Ages is set to launch on May 15, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass. The game, a prequel to Doom (2016), takes players back to a medieval-inspired sci-fi fantasy setting, where the Doom Slayer serves as a superweapon for the Maykrs and their Sentinels in a brutal war against Hell’s demons.

The gameplay shifts from the acrobatic, high-speed combat of Doom Eternal to a more grounded, heavy-hitting experience. Game director Hugo Martin describes the new approach as making players feel like an “iron tank” rather than a “fighter jet.” The focus is on raw power, with the introduction of new melee weapons like the Shield Saw, a versatile tool that can block, parry, deflect, and even be thrown at enemies. Other weapons include a spiked mace, an iron flail, and an electrified gauntlet, all designed to deliver brutal, close-quarters combat.

The game’s controls have been streamlined to emphasize accessibility, with fewer inputs and more intuitive mechanics. The Shield Saw, for example, operates through a single contextual button, allowing players to focus on combat rather than complex button combinations. This simplification aims to make the game more approachable for newcomers while still offering depth for veteran players. Difficulty sliders will allow players to customize their experience, adjusting factors like game speed, enemy aggression, and parry timing.

Doom: The Dark Ages also introduces larger, more open environments, described as “sandbox” levels, where players can explore and tackle objectives in any order. The game will feature set-piece moments, including piloting a 30-story mech and riding a cybernetic dragon, adding variety to the traditional first-person shooter gameplay. However, the developers have confirmed that the game will not include multiplayer, focusing entirely on a single-player campaign.

The narrative will be more prominent, with story elements moved from codex entries to cutscenes, making the plot more accessible. The game’s tone draws inspiration from Frank Miller’s Batman: Year One, emphasizing a heavier, more powerful version of the Doom Slayer. The story explores the Slayer’s origins, fleshing out his role as a weapon of gods and kings before he became the sci-fi hero of later games.

Overall, Doom: The Dark Ages aims to blend the classic, fast-paced action of the series with a fresh, medieval twist, offering a more grounded yet equally intense experience for fans of the franchise.

Doom: The Dark Ages ditches Doom Eternal’s acrobatics for raw, heavy power

Doom: The Dark Ages ditches Doom Eternal’s acrobatics for raw, heavy power

Shield Saw go brrrr

www.polygon.com
After Doom Eternal's intense acrobatics, Doom: The Dark Ages will focus on simplified, ergonomic controls: 'You shouldn't be fighting the controls, you should be fighting the bad guys'

After Doom Eternal's intense acrobatics, Doom: The Dark Ages will focus on simplified, ergonomic controls: 'You shouldn't be fighting the controls, you should be fighting the bad guys'

The vibes are as Doom as ever, but the core combat loop will centre around three buttons.

www.pcgamer.com
Doom: The Dark Ages gets release date confirmed, will make you feel like an iron tank rather than the fighter jet acrobatics of Doom Eternal

Doom: The Dark Ages gets release date confirmed, will make you feel like an iron tank rather than the fighter jet acrobatics of Doom Eternal

We reveal all about Doom: The Dark Ages' brand-new gameplay reveal, with extra insight on revamped glory kills and shield from developer id Software.

www.eurogamer.net
Doom The Dark Ages takes everything wrong with Doom Eternal and makes it better, but there's one problem

Doom The Dark Ages takes everything wrong with Doom Eternal and makes it better, but there's one problem

Streamlined controls, a tighter story, and strafe-to-kill gunplay make Doom The Dark Ages a great follow-up to Eternal, but I remain unsure.

www.pcgamesn.com
Doom: The Dark Ages wants to be more like the original Doom

Doom: The Dark Ages wants to be more like the original Doom

Preview: A more grounded game than Doom Eternal in more ways than one.

arstechnica.com
Doom: The Dark Ages – The First Preview

Doom: The Dark Ages – The First Preview

Get medieval on Hell’s minions.

nordic.ign.com
News | Metro UK

News | Metro UK

News: Latest breaking news, top stories and updates | Metro UK

metro.co.uk
Doom: The Dark Ages looks metal as hell and launches in May

Doom: The Dark Ages looks metal as hell and launches in May

A more accessible Doom.

www.theverge.com
Doom: The Dark Ages takes unexpected influence from Frank Miller’s Batman - and was even dubbed Doom: Year One during development

Doom: The Dark Ages takes unexpected influence from Frank Miller’s Batman - and was even dubbed Doom: Year One during development

The creative director for Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, Hugo Martin, is the game director of Doom: The Dark Ages - and he’s a big Batman fan.

www.vg247.com