The Xbox Developer Direct peeled back the curtain on developer id Software and its ongoing work onDoom: The Dark Ages, the next mainline entry in the long-running Sci-Fi shooter franchise. During the Direct, id Software’s Marty Stratton (Executive Producer) and Hugo Martin (Game Director) talked about the studio’s approach to makingDoom, and how that approach has shifted with each entry. Martin states thatDoom2016 wanted players to “run and gun,“Doom Eternalwanted them to “jump and shoot,” and inDoom: The Dark Ages,players will be asked to “stand and fight.”
That gameplay ethos is on full display inDoom: The Dark Ages' new gameplay trailer, where the iconic Doom Slayer faces off against hordes of medieval-themed demons head-on. This new gameplay footage showcases a handful of new weapons, introduces a more open-ended level design, and even teases some new vehicular combat sections. But the star of the show isDoom: The Dark Ages' Shield Saw, a weapon that could inadvertently set the stage forMarvel 1943: Rise of Hydra.
Doom: The Dark Ages Could Set The Stage for Marvel 1943’s Captain America Gameplay
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra Should Feature a Doom: Dark Ages-Like Parry System
A shield is, first and foremost, a defensive tool designed to mitigate any oncoming blows.Doom: The Dark Ages' Shield Sawdoes exactly that. During the most recent gameplay trailer, fans can witness the Shield Saw blocking a range of projectiles heading towards the player. While most of these projectiles appear to glow a fiery red color, some have a bright green hue. These green bolts of energy can be deflected by Doom: The Dark Ages' Shield Saw.
Some melee attacks also appear to elicit a green glow. These attacks can also be parried by the player’s Shield Saw. Successfully deflecting or parrying an oncoming green attack will open the enemy up to a quick attack-of-opportunity, in which the player dashes forward with their Shield Saw, bashes the enemy, and follows up with a brutal melee weapon finisher.
While the gore and high level of violence might need to be toned down a little,Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydracould use a similar system for itsCaptain America gameplay, whereby Cap could parry oncoming attacks, dash forward, and deliver a powerful finisher that knocks the opponent unconscious.
Doom: The Dark Ages Shows How a Throwable Shield Can Work in Combat
But another core component ofDoom: The Dark Ages' Shield Saw is its ability to be thrown as a projectile. This can be seen multiple times throughout the latest batch of gameplay footage, with the player hurling the Shield Saw into all manner of different demonic foes. The Shield Saw appears to be able to cut down weaker enemies in one clean slice, while larger foes might need to be stunned first before they succumb to the shield’s spinning blades.
Of course, like any goodfantasy or Sci-Fi shield, the Shield Saw will return to the player’s arm after each throw. The shield’s magnetism can also be used during traversal, with the player being able to lodge their shield in a beam far in front of them, and then use the shield’s magnetism to pull them towards the platform.
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra’s story trailerfrom last year already teased Captain America’s ability to throw his shield, with one brief shot of the trailer showing the hero launching his shield at an enemy soldier, and the force of it throwing them violently to the ground. It’ll be fun to see howDoom: The Dark Ages' Shield Saw andMarvel 1943: Rise of Hydra’s Vibranium shield compare to one another later this year.
WHERE TO PLAY
BECOME THE SLAYER IN A MEDIEVAL WAR AGAINST HELLDOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells an epic cinematic story worthy of the DOOM Slayer’s legend. In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.
DOOM: The Dark Ages is a dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine.REIGN IN HELLAs the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw. Players will stand and fight on the demon-infested battlefields in the vicious, grounded combat the original DOOM is famous for.STAND AND FIGHTExperience an epic story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this cinematic and action-packed story. Bound to serve as the super weapon of gods and kings, the DOOM Slayer fends off demon hordes as their leader seeks to destroy the Slayer and become the only one that is feared. Witness the creation of a legend as the Slayer takes on all of Hell and turns the tide of the war.DISCOVER UNKNOWN REALMSIn his quest to crush the legions of Hell, the Slayer must take the fight to never-before-seen realms. Mystery, challenges, and rewards lurk in every shadow of ruined castles, epic battlefields, dark forests, ancient hellscapes, and worlds beyond. Armed with the viciously powerful Shield Saw, cut through a dark world of menace and secrets in id’s largest and most expansive levels to date.
