Doom: The Dark Ages Hands-Off Preview - Doom Slayer Goes Medieval
From Brutal Combat to Giant Mechs, Doom: The Dark Ages Blends Classic Gameplay with Epic New Featuresploring the Fusion of Brutal Combat and Medieval Fantasy in Doom: The Dark Ages
The Doom franchise is legendary for its high-octane, fast-paced combat and massive scale, but the upcoming Doom: The Dark Ages is set to raise the bar even higher. Following the success of Doom (2016) and Doom: Eternal, the new installment promises to offer players a bigger, more expansive experience, combining the franchise’s core elements with a unique medieval twist.
Game Rant recently got an exclusive hands-off preview of Doom: The Dark Ages, showcasing its fresh new setting, weaponry, and mechanics. Set as a prequel to the 2016 reboot, Doom: The Dark Ages will immerse players in a medieval war against the forces of hell, taking the iconic Doom Slayer back to a time of knights, castles, and brutal combat.
An Expansive and Immersive Medieval World
The game takes place in a vast and diverse world, spanning different realms like forests, dungeons, and battlefields. The player will explore these areas, encountering new and familiar enemies along the way. The world will feature both expansive, open-ended environments and more linear, focused levels, with larger sandbox-style areas rewarding players who venture off the beaten path.
Doom: The Dark Ages will place more emphasis on the narrative than previous titles, with a story that unfolds mainly through cinematic cutscenes. Players will be able to follow the action without needing to dig through lore or item descriptions, making it more accessible for newcomers. The game’s story is set up as a prequel to the original Doom, offering a perfect entry point for new players while continuing the saga for veterans.
Combat Remains the Heart of Doom: The Dark Ages
While the game leans into exploration and narrative more than its predecessors, combat remains a core focus. The Dark Ages stays true to the series’ brutal, fast-paced action while introducing new ways to engage with enemies. In addition to an array of powerful guns—many of which are ancient, medieval-themed—players can use three types of melee weapons: the iron flail, the electric gauntlet, and the spiked mace. Each weapon can be upgraded with new moves and combos, and the game’s "glory kill" system has been revamped to offer even more creative ways to finish off enemies.
While Doom: Eternal’s complex control system has been simplified in The Dark Ages, the combat remains challenging and satisfying. The developers have made adjustments to make the game more accessible, offering customization options like accessibility sliders to adjust combat difficulty. This allows players to tailor the experience to their preferred level of challenge.
The New Shield Saw: A Brutal Addition to Combat
A new addition to Doom: The Dark Ages’ combat is the shield saw—a gigantic shield with razor-sharp edges that players can use for offense and defense. It can block, parry, deflect, and even be thrown at enemies, adding a new layer of strategy to fights. This emphasis on close-quarters combat sets the Doom Slayer apart from previous iterations, with a more "tank-like" feel in battle.
The game also embraces the classic strafing mechanics from earlier Doom titles, encouraging players to move and dodge while taking down enemies. It’s a welcome return to the frantic pace of the originals, combining modern sensibilities with nostalgia for longtime fans.
A Blend of Old and New Elements
Doom: The Dark Ages takes inspiration from older Doom titles, blending traditional mechanics with fresh features. While many of the guns are designed for short- to medium-range combat, the game introduces several new and returning enemy types to challenge players. Fans of the series will find plenty to enjoy, but the developers are also pushing the boundaries with innovative gameplay elements that set this installment apart.
No Multiplayer, But Epic New Gameplay Features
Unlike its predecessors, Doom: The Dark Ages will not feature a multiplayer component, allowing the developers to focus entirely on crafting a compelling single-player experience. This decision has led to the inclusion of exciting new features like the Atlans—a massive, 30-story mech suit—and a flying mech dragon. These awe-inspiring machines can be piloted by the Doom Slayer at specific points in the campaign, offering players a fresh dynamic to shake up the action.
Doom: The Dark Ages Releases May 15
The wait for Doom: The Dark Ages is almost over. The game is set to launch on May 15, promising an experience bigger and more exciting than any of its predecessors. With its blend of old-school gameplay and new mechanics, plus an expanded world and narrative, Doom: The Dark Ages is shaping up to be a must-play title for fans of the franchise and newcomers alike.