Doom; The Dark Ages Set to Launch in May 2025 with New Gameplay Features and Editions
Doom: The Dark Ages Set to Launch in May 2025 with New Gameplay Features and Editions
id Software has announced that Doom: The Dark Ages, the latest installment in the iconic first-person shooter franchise, will release on May 15, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC. The game, which serves as a prequel to the events of Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, takes players back to a medieval-inspired Hell, where the Doom Slayer becomes the “superweapon of gods and kings.”
Gameplay Innovations
The game introduces several new mechanics, including a Shield Saw, a versatile weapon that allows players to block, parry, deflect projectiles, and even throw it for ranged attacks. Melee combat has been expanded with three new weapons: a flail, an electrified gauntlet, and a spiked mace, each with unique combos and upgrades. The Glory Kill system has been overhauled to allow for seamless, physics-based executions that don’t interrupt the flow of combat.
Unlike Doom Eternal, which emphasized fast-paced, aerial combat, The Dark Ages focuses on a more grounded, tank-like approach. Players will engage in large-scale battles, including riding a cybernetic dragon and piloting a 30-story-tall mech called the Atlan. The game also features expansive sandbox levels with secrets and upgrades to discover, encouraging exploration.
Accessibility and Difficulty
id Software has introduced customizable difficulty sliders, allowing players to adjust game speed, enemy aggression, parry windows, and more. This feature aims to make the game more accessible to newcomers while still offering a challenge for veteran players. The developers described Doom Eternal as “too complex” and have streamlined the controls to focus on intuitive, context-sensitive inputs.
Editions and Preorder Bonuses
The game will be available in several editions:
- Standard Edition: Includes the base game and a preorder bonus, the Void Doom Slayer skin.
- Premium Edition: Offers two days of early access (starting May 13), the game on disc, and additional content.
- Collector’s Bundle: Comes with the Premium Edition, a key card replica, and a steelbook case.
Doom: The Dark Ages will also be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch, though early access requires the Premium Upgrade.
No Multiplayer, Focus on Single-Player Campaign
For the first time in the modern Doom series, the game will not include a multiplayer mode. Instead, id Software has focused entirely on delivering an “epic single-player campaign,” which they describe as their largest and most ambitious yet. This decision allowed the team to incorporate unique features like the dragon and mech gameplay.
Inspiration and Design
The developers drew inspiration from Frank Miller’s works, such as 300 and The Dark Knight Returns, to create a heavier, more powerful Doom Slayer. They also aimed to recapture the simplicity and accessibility of the original Doom games while introducing new mechanics to keep the experience fresh.
With its medieval setting, innovative combat systems, and focus on single-player storytelling, Doom: The Dark Ages promises to be a bold new chapter in the franchise. Preorders are now available, with the game set to launch on May 15, 2025.
Doom: The Dark Ages - Here’s What Comes in Each Edition - IGN
Everything you need to know to preorder Doom: The Dark Ages, including what comes in each edition, where it's available, and more.
www.ign.com
Doom: The Dark Ages ditches Doom Eternal’s acrobatics for raw, heavy power
Shield Saw go brrrr
www.polygon.com
Doom: The Dark Ages looks metal as hell and launches in May
A more accessible Doom.
www.theverge.com
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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 is overhauling Glory Kills so you can 'transition from melee strikes to guns to shield play to an execution' without interrupting your demonslaying momentum
Canned animations are out, free-form finishers are in.
www.pcgamer.com
Doom: The Dark Ages Won't Have Multiplayer
You're going to have to fight the forces of Hell by yourself in Doom: The Dark Ages, but it looks like you'll have fun while doing it.
www.gamespot.com
Doom: The Dark Ages Launches In May And Looks Awesome (And Massive)
Id Software's next entry in the long-running FPS franchise is shaking things up this time
kotaku.com
Doom: The Dark Ages' development details shine light on the state of modern triple-A production
Fine-tuned difficulty controls, slowed-down gameplay, and a jettisoned multiplayer mode tell us something about modern triple-A game design.
www.gamedeveloper.com