(Image courtesy of Bethesda/Zenimax. “DOOM: The Dark Ages will take players through a dark, unfriendly past.”)
Aaron Preziosi
Connector Editor
Following the smashing success of 2020’s “DOOM Eternal,” id Software has been producing a bold, new medieval entry to the franchise in the form of “DOOM: The Dark Ages.” Initially teased last June, “The Dark Ages” features unfriendly, gothic places wrecked by a war between forces of good and evil. Like all the other games in the franchise, the player takes the role of the DOOM Slayer, a former space marine armed to the teeth with godlike weaponry meant to destroy, brutalize and devastate. Several iconic weapons seem to be returning with all-new looks, such as the double-barreled Super Shotgun and the sci-fi Plasma Rifle.
Brand new additions to the Slayer’s arsenal are making their debut as well, the most notable of which being the Shield Saw, a wicked implement of defense and offense alike. Players will have the ability to block, throw, parry and deflect with the Shield Saw, carving through weak enemies like butter while boasting enough power to stop larger, tougher foes in their tracks. Following are three melee options: A shock gauntlet, a spiked flail, and an enormous bone mace. According to id Software’s teasers and press releases, all these mechanics work with a single, intuitive input and will have the ability to chain into each other seamlessly; players will be able to use the tools they want, how they want, all with upgrades and combos.
On that note, id Software made a point to highlight the accessibility options of “The Dark Ages.” “All-new adjustable sliders in the options menu allow players to tweak specific gameplay settings individually to their liking – from changing the window of time for parrying projectiles (or the speeds of those projectiles) to slowing the entire game speed down (or cranking it up to top gear) – the choice is up to the player!” Creative director Hugo Martin said in an Xbox Developer Direct “it’s a DOOM for all slayers,” departing from the blistering speed required of 2020’s “DOOM Eternal.”
Player control seems to be the name of the game for “DOOM: The Dark Ages.” In addition to free-flowing combat with seamless combos and lots of options, “The Dark Ages” will place more emphasis on exploration, platforming and secrets just like the original ‘90s DOOM titles. In their press release, id Software says “[players will] cleverly utilize techniques in the environment, such as breaking down loose barricades with a Shield Bash, to uncover secrets. Spend collected spoils of war to upgrade your equipment and enhance your abilities, becoming an even greater asset in your campaign against evil.”
Exploration, combat and medieval vibes are great, but “DOOM: The Dark Ages” will also feature two brand-new forms of play. Players can expect to take control of an Atlan, a 30-story tall mech that can “beat a building-sized demon to death with its metal fists,” as well as a “cybernetic, fire-breathing dragon, fitted with boosters and guns in full-fledged combat sequences inspiring the power fantasy only DOOM can deliver.” Additionally, the story will take a more pivotal role in “The Dark Ages,” featuring cinematic cutscenes and all-new characters. For excited players, “DOOM: The Dark Ages” may be pre-ordered and played immediately when it releases on May 15, 2025, on all platforms.
