Doom: The Dark Ages Unveiled: First Look

Following the successful revival of Doom in 2016 and the critically acclaimed sequel, Doom Eternal, in 2020, id Software is taking a new direction with the medieval-themed prequel, Doom: The Dark Ages. Rather than soaring higher, this installment keeps its focus firmly on the ground, emphasizing strafe-heavy, high-skill gameplay that brings players even closer to the hordes of Hell's minions.

While Doom: The Dark Ages retains the iconic firearms that fans love, it introduces new elements like the Skull Crusher, showcased in the reveal trailer. This weapon uniquely uses the skulls of defeated enemies as ammunition, firing them back at foes in smaller, faster pieces. However, the game also places a significant emphasis on melee combat with three primary weapons: the electrified gauntlet, the flail, and the standout Shield Saw, which can be thrown or used defensively. Game director Hugo Martin emphasized during a demo, "You’re gonna stand and fight."

The Dark Ages draws inspiration from the original Doom, Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and Zack Snyder's 300. This influence is evident in the revamped Glory Kill system, which now allows for more dynamic finishing moves from any angle, adapting to the player's position amidst the swarming enemies. The game's design also features larger combat arenas and the freedom to tackle objectives in any order, with levels optimized to about an hour in length.

Addressing feedback from Doom Eternal, The Dark Ages shifts from Codex-based storytelling to narrative-driven cutscenes, promising a "summer blockbuster event" that explores the far reaches of the Doom universe. The development team has also streamlined the control scheme, making it more intuitive and less complex, with melee weapons equipped one at a time. The game's economy has been simplified to a single currency (gold), and hidden secrets now offer tangible gameplay enhancements rather than just lore.

Players can customize the difficulty with sliders that adjust game speed, enemy aggression, and more, allowing for a tailored experience. The reveal trailer highlighted unique gameplay sequences, including piloting a 30-story demon mech called the Atlan and riding a cybernetic dragon, both of which come with their own abilities and miniboss encounters. Notably, there will be no multiplayer mode, as the focus is on delivering the best single-player campaign possible.

For fans like myself, who experienced the transformative impact of the original Doom in 1993, Hugo Martin's shift back to the design principles of the classic while innovating the power fantasy is incredibly exciting. Martin's vision for The Dark Ages to be distinct from Eternal yet rooted in what made Doom great is a promising direction. As we eagerly await its release on May 15, the anticipation only grows stronger.