Doom: The Dark Ages – The First Preview

Doom: The Dark Ages – A Return to Brutal Roots

Following the critically acclaimed Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal (2020), id Software is shifting gears with Doom: The Dark Ages, a prequel that returns to the franchise's core strengths. Instead of the platforming elements of Eternal, The Dark Ages emphasizes intense, close-quarters combat with a renewed focus on powerful melee weapons.

While the iconic arsenal returns – including the skull-crushing new weapon showcased in the reveal trailer – the game heavily features three melee options: an electrified gauntlet, a flail, and the Shield Saw. Game director Hugo Martin described the combat as "stand and fight," highlighting the strategic use of these weapons alongside ranged attacks.

Martin cites inspiration from the original Doom, Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and Zack Snyder's 300 as key influences. This is reflected in the game's design, featuring large-scale combat encounters reminiscent of 300's battle scenes and the original Doom's arena-style gameplay. The Glory Kill system has been reimagined, allowing for dynamic finishing moves from any angle. Levels are designed for exploration and offer flexible objective completion, with a focus on approximately hour-long play sessions.

Addressing feedback on Doom Eternal, The Dark Ages presents its narrative through cutscenes instead of in-game codex entries. The story promises a large-scale adventure, described as a "summer blockbuster event," exploring previously unseen corners of the Doom universe. The control scheme has been streamlined for intuitive gameplay, and the progression system simplified to a single currency with gameplay-focused rewards. Difficulty can be customized via sliders, allowing players to tailor the experience to their preferences.

Showcased sequences featuring a giant mech (the Atlan) and cybernetic dragon riding are not one-off events but offer unique gameplay experiences with their own abilities and mini-bosses. Importantly, The Dark Ages will not feature a multiplayer mode, allowing the team to concentrate on delivering a polished single-player campaign.

Martin emphasizes the deliberate shift away from Doom Eternal's style, aiming for a return to the core feel of the original Doom. This focus on a more classic, yet still powerful, Slayer experience has generated considerable excitement. The game's May 15th release date is highly anticipated.