Doom; The Dark Ages Shifts to Medieval Roots with Heavy Combat

2025-01-24

Doom: The Dark Ages Ditches Acrobatics for Raw, Heavy Power

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. The game, revealed during Xbox’s Developer Direct livestream, takes the franchise back to its medieval roots, offering a prequel story that explores the origins of the Doom Slayer before he became a sci-fi hero. This installment shifts away from the high-speed, acrobatic combat of Doom Eternal in favor of a heavier, more grounded approach, emphasizing raw power and brutal melee combat.

The game introduces new tools and mechanics, including the Shield Saw, a versatile weapon that can block, parry, deflect projectiles, and even decapitate demons. The arsenal also features medieval-inspired weapons like a spiked mace, an iron flail, and an electrified gauntlet, alongside powerful firearms such as the Skull Crusher, which fires bone fragments at enemies. The developers aim to simplify the control scheme, making the game more accessible while maintaining a high skill ceiling for hardcore players.

Doom: The Dark Ages will also feature expansive battlefields and sandbox environments, allowing players to tackle objectives in any order. The game includes massive set pieces, such as piloting a 30-story-tall mech and riding a cybernetic dragon, adding variety to the gameplay. However, the game will not include multiplayer, as the team focused entirely on delivering a robust single-player experience. Post-launch DLC is planned, though details remain under wraps.

The game’s difficulty settings have been revamped, offering granular sliders for game speed, enemy aggression, parry windows, and more, allowing players to tailor the experience to their preferences. This approach aims to make the game more approachable for newcomers while still challenging veterans.

With its medieval setting, streamlined combat, and emphasis on exploration, Doom: The Dark Ages promises to be a fresh yet familiar entry in the iconic franchise.