Doom: The Dark Ages Unveiled - First Look Preview

After id Software's triumphant revival of Doom in 2016 and its even more refined sequel, Doom Eternal, in 2020, it's challenging to imagine how the franchise could ascend further. Instead of aiming higher, Doom: The Dark Ages takes a grounded approach, focusing on intense, skill-based first-person shooter action set in a medieval-inspired prequel.

The new Doom shifts away from Eternal's platforming elements, emphasizing strafe-heavy combat and raw power. While the iconic weaponry remains a staple, the Skull Crusher, introduced in the reveal trailer, stands out. This weapon uniquely uses the skulls of defeated enemies as ammunition, firing them back at remaining foes in smaller, faster fragments. Alongside this, The Dark Ages prioritizes melee combat with three key weapons: the electrified gauntlet, which can be charged; the flail; and the Shield Saw, which can be thrown or used for blocking, parrying, or deflecting. Game director Hugo Martin emphasized this shift, stating, "You’re gonna stand and fight," after a demo of the game.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Martin cites three seminal works as primary inspirations for The Dark Ages: the original Doom, Frank Miller’s Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and Zack Snyder’s 300, which is itself based on a graphic novel by Miller.

The modern Doom series' trademark Glory Kill system has been revamped. Now, these finishing moves can be executed from any angle on the battlefield and adapt to the situation, reflecting the constant presence of enemy hordes. The combat arenas have been expanded, reminiscent of the settings in 300 and the original Doom, allowing players to tackle objectives in any order and explore levels freely. Martin noted that levels have been slightly shortened to maintain a sweet spot of about an hour each.

Addressing a criticism from Doom Eternal, The Dark Ages will present its story through cutscenes rather than requiring players to read through the Codex. The narrative promises to explore the far reaches of the Doom universe, described by id as a "summer blockbuster event with everything on the line" as the Slayer's power becomes a coveted prize.

Martin also highlighted efforts to simplify the control scheme, acknowledging that Doom Eternal's controls were overly complex. Melee weapons will now be used one at a time, similar to equipment. The game's economy has been streamlined to a single currency, gold, and secrets will enhance skill progression, offering tangible gameplay rewards.

Players can now customize the game's difficulty with sliders that adjust various aspects such as game speed and enemy aggression, providing a tailored challenge.

Two notable gameplay sequences from the reveal trailer include piloting a giant 30-story demon mech, the Atlan, and riding a cybernetic dragon. These are not one-time events but come with their own set of abilities and minibosses. Importantly, there will be no multiplayer mode in The Dark Ages, as the focus is solely on delivering the best single-player campaign possible.

For fans like me, who experienced the transformative impact of the original Doom in 1993, Martin's shift back to the foundational design principles of that classic while steering away from Eternal's direction is exciting. Martin explained, "It’s just gotta be different [from Eternal]. Especially if I loved the game. [If] I wanna play a Doom game, I wanna feel strong, but I’m OK with changing what that power fantasy is, especially if that change brings it closer to classic Doom."

This renewed focus has me eagerly anticipating the release on May 15.