Doom: The Dark Ageshas drawn a lot of attention ever since its reveal in June 2024, with many fans immediately getting on board with the prospect of a grittier entry to the rebooted franchise based largely around Medieval themes and combat. The excitement around this project has only grown thanks to the recent Xbox Developer Direct event, withThe Dark Agesgetting a long time in the spotlight with a lot of pertinent details being revealed.
One of the most intriguing aspects ofDoom: The Dark Agesis the way in which the title stands out from its predecessors in terms of its themes and narrative premise. A wide range of gameplay changes are also confirmed, which compounds this high level of change. Everything that is currently known aboutThe Dark Agessuggests that the game will be a much slower and more methodical experience compared to the rapidly high octane core gameplay ofDoom Eternal, so the weapons and combat ofThe Dark Agesneed to be extremely engaging for this trade-off to work.
Doom: The Dark Ages' Ambitious Pacing Change Requires Some Satisfying Weaponry
The reboot of theDoomfranchise, starting with the 2016 title of the same name, has proven to be a successful venture for iD Software and Bethesda, with these fresh projects embodying a lot of the adrenaline-fueled and odds-defying gameplay of the series' original releases. Many fans consider theDoomreboot as the logical evolution of the franchise’s earliest winning formula. BothDoomand 2020’sDoom Eternallean into different aspects of gameplay to give a multi-faceted approach to the IP’s new identity.
iD Software recently described the gameplay ethos of 2016’sDoomas “run and gun,” with this being a sensibly simplistic approach to ease fans into this new era for the franchise, while also describingDoom Eternal’s core philosophy as “jump and shoot.” This refers to the consistent prevalence ofplatforming puzzles and exploration throughoutDoomEternal’s narrative, with the game featuring a huge amount of vertical movement options that could be used smartly to enter and exit tense combat scenarios.
While this platforming gameplay was somewhat divisive, these same game mechanics had a lot of combat applicability, makingEternalone of the most fast-paced and enjoyably chaoticDoomentriesthat the franchise has ever seen. iD Software has taken a distinctly different approach with the upcomingDark Ages, condensing the project down to the phrase “stand and fight.”
The Dark Ages and Doom Eternal Have Wisely Taken Different Paths
This, combined with the revealed gameplay forThe Dark Ages, paints a much slower and heavier level of gameplay for the upcoming title, especially when compared toEternal’s breakneck speed. The slower pace ofDark Ageswill come at the cost ofEternal’s heart-thumping movement mechanics, putting a lot of pressure onto the weapons and combat of the upcoming game.The arsenal ofDark Agesneeds to be massively varied and uniqueto replace the intricate movement pathways and techniques ofEternal, and it seems as if iD Software has taken this into account.
The Dark Ageshas already shown off skull-crunching shrapnel launchers, shield saws, rail guns, colossal mech fights, and dragon-mounted combat. This makes it clear that attention has shifted towards combat as opposed to the previous focus of exploration and movement inEternal. With new enemies hopefully adding unique dynamics to how the player has to respond to different combat situations,The Dark Agesmight be able to offer enough variety to make the complex movement systems ofEternalseem like a thing of the past.
Alongside conventional ranged weapons,Doom: The Dark Agesis set to include the widest range of melee weapons ever seen in aDoomtitle, including a gauntlet, mace, flail, and the aforementioned saw shield.
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.
