When director Hugo Martin unveiled the mantra for Doom: The Dark Ages as "stand and fight" during Xbox's Developer Direct earlier this year, it immediately sparked my interest. This approach starkly contrasts with id Software's previous title, Doom Eternal, which thrived on fast-paced, mobile combat. Yet, Doom Eternal introduced one enemy that forced players to adopt a "stand and fight" strategy: the Marauder. This enemy, often controversial among players, is one I personally adore. My excitement for Doom: The Dark Ages surged when I discovered that its combat mechanics hinge on reacting to bright green lights—a technique essential for defeating the Marauder.
Rest assured, The Dark Ages doesn't confine you to a frustrating duel like the one with Eternal's Marauder. Instead, it introduces the Agaddon Hunter, equipped with a bulletproof shield and a deadly combo attack. However, the essence of Eternal's challenging battles permeates every enemy in The Dark Ages, with the Marauder's core concepts being reimagined and integrated into the game's combat system. This results in encounters that carry the strategic depth of a Marauder fight without the associated frustrations.
The Marauder stands out in Doom Eternal, a game where combat usually involves circling arenas, swiftly dispatching weaker foes while juggling larger threats. Doom Eternal has been described as a management game, requiring players to juggle speed, space, and weaponry to handle enemy hordes. The Marauder disrupts this flow, demanding undivided attention and typically appearing in one-on-one scenarios. When it does join larger battles, the best strategy is to clear out other enemies first and then focus on the Marauder.
Doom Eternal's Marauder is one of the most controversial enemies in FPS history. | Image credit: id Software / Bethesda
Facing the Marauder isn't about standing still; it's about controlling the battlefield through strategic positioning. Getting too close risks a devastating shotgun blast, while retreating too far exposes you to easier-to-dodge projectiles but keeps you out of reach of his vulnerable axe swing. The key to defeating the Marauder lies in the brief moment his eyes flash bright green during his axe attack's wind-up, the only time he's susceptible to damage. His energy shield otherwise absorbs all shots, making precise timing and positioning crucial for victory.
In Doom: The Dark Ages, a similar mechanic is central to gameplay, echoing the series' origins with demons launching volleys of projectiles, some marked by distinctive green missiles. These can be parried using the Doom Slayer's new shield, sending them back to their sender. Initially, this serves as a defensive tactic, but once you unlock the shield's rune system, parrying becomes a powerful offensive tool, stunning enemies or triggering an auto-targeting cannon mounted on your shoulder.
Navigating The Dark Ages' battlefields involves a series of focused one-on-one encounters with various formidable demons. While survival doesn't hinge solely on reacting to green lights, mastering the shield's runes makes parrying a potent part of your arsenal. Integrating parrying into your combat strategy reveals its similarities to Eternal's Marauder fights. You must find the right distance, as demons won't launch projectiles up close, and when the green orbs appear, you need to position yourself to parry them effectively. This requires quick reflexes, akin to dodging the Marauder's swing, turning your journey into a series of strategic battles where you stand and fight.
The Marauder's main criticism was its disruption of Doom Eternal's flow, forcing players to abandon their established tactics. This shift is precisely why I appreciate the Marauder; while the rest of the game encourages fluid movement, it demands a different, more focused approach. Doom Eternal challenged traditional FPS mechanics, and the Marauder challenged those challenges, presenting the ultimate test. Although I enjoy this test, I understand why many find it frustrating.
The Agaddon Hunter may be the most Marauder-like enemy in The Dark Ages, but every demon has a little bit of Eternal's most fearsome foe in them. | Image credit: id Software / Bethesda
Doom: The Dark Ages addresses this issue by integrating various combat "dances" into its gameplay. Each major enemy type features unique green projectiles or melee attacks, necessitating different strategies. For example, the Mancubus launches energy "fences" with green "pillars" that require you to weave to parry, while the Vagary sends volleys of deadly spheres, prompting you to sprint and deflect them like tennis balls. The Revenant closely mimics the Marauder, remaining invulnerable until you parry its green skulls.
The varied footwork required for each demon ensures that new enemies don't feel jarring. While the Agaddon Hunter and Komodo introduce a difficulty spike with their intense melee attacks, you're already accustomed to adapting your movements and reactions by the time you encounter them. This contrasts with the Marauder in Eternal, which disrupted the game's established rules without preparing players for its unique demands.
The Marauder's design wasn't flawed; it simply broke the game's established rules, catching players off guard. Doom: The Dark Ages prepares players for similar challenges by embedding reaction-based mechanics throughout the game, rather than introducing them abruptly. While this makes the challenge less intense—the shield's parry window is more forgiving than the Marauder's eye flash—the essence of the Marauder's combat philosophy remains: waiting for the perfect moment to strike when the light turns green. Doom: The Dark Ages reinterprets these ideas, yet their essence is unmistakable. You stand and you fight.
