Following the resounding success of 2016's Doom and its 2020 sequel, Doom Eternal, id Software's latest installment, Doom: The Dark Ages, takes a different approach. Instead of building upon Eternal's platforming elements, this medieval-themed prequel grounds its combat in intense, strafe-heavy action with a focus on raw power.
While the iconic arsenal returns – including the skull-crushing new weapon showcased in the reveal trailer – The Dark Ages significantly emphasizes melee combat. Three melee weapons take center stage: the electrified gauntlet, the flail, and the Shield Saw, offering diverse tactical options. Game director Hugo Martin emphasizes a return to a more grounded, "stand and fight" style of gameplay.
Martin cites the original Doom, Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and Zack Snyder's 300 as key inspirations. This influence is evident in the game's design, featuring large-scale combat encounters reminiscent of 300's iconic battle scenes. The Glory Kill system has been overhauled, allowing for dynamic finishing moves from any angle. Levels are designed for exploration, with objectives tackled in any order, and a streamlined length of approximately one hour per level.
Addressing criticism of Doom Eternal's Codex-based storytelling, The Dark Ages presents its narrative through cutscenes, promising a "summer blockbuster" story expanding the Doom universe. The control scheme has been simplified for improved intuitiveness, and the in-game economy is streamlined to a single currency (gold), with secrets offering tangible gameplay upgrades rather than lore details.
The giant Atlan mech and cybernetic dragon riding sequences from the trailer are not isolated events but feature unique abilities and mini-bosses. Importantly, The Dark Ages will not include a multiplayer mode, allowing the developers to focus entirely on the single-player experience. A customizable difficulty system provides players with granular control over the challenge.
Martin highlights the deliberate shift away from Doom Eternal's direction, aiming for a return to the core principles of the original Doom. This focus on a powerful, classic Doom experience is what fuels the excitement for the May 15th release.
