Doom: The Dark Ages – The First Preview

After id Software's brilliant revival of Doom in 2016 and its even more refined 2020 sequel, Doom Eternal, it's clear that Doom has reached new heights. However, with Doom: The Dark Ages, the franchise isn't aiming to soar higher; instead, it's grounding itself firmly in a medieval-tinged prequel that brings the high-speed, high-skill-ceiling first-person shooter experience closer to the hordes of Hell's minions.

The new Doom shifts away from the platforming elements of Eternal, focusing instead on strafe-heavy gameplay and emphasizing power. Of course, the iconic guns remain a staple of the series, including the new Skull Crusher showcased in the reveal trailer. This innovative weapon uses the skulls of fallen enemies as ammunition, firing them back at remaining foes in smaller, faster chunks. Yet, The Dark Ages also places significant emphasis on melee combat, featuring three key weapons: the default electrified gauntlet, which can be charged up; the flail; and the standout Shield Saw from last summer's reveal trailer, which can be thrown, used to block, parry, or deflect. As game director Hugo Martin emphasized after my demo, "You’re gonna stand and fight."

It's no surprise, then, that Martin cites three seminal pieces of pop culture as primary inspirations for The Dark Ages: the legendary original Doom, Frank Miller’s Batman: The Dark Knight Returns graphic novel, and Zack Snyder’s 2006 film 300, which itself is based on a graphic novel by Miller.

The modern Doom's trademark Glory Kill finishing-move system has been revamped, allowing fatalities to be performed from any angle on the battlefield, adapting dynamically to the situation. This change accommodates the constant presence of enemy hordes, reminiscent of both 300 and the original Doom. In The Dark Ages, combat arenas have been widened, and players can tackle objectives in any order and explore levels freely. Martin notes that levels have been slightly shortened to maintain an optimal playtime of about an hour each.

Addressing a common critique from Doom Eternal, The Dark Ages will no longer rely on the Codex for storytelling. Instead, the narrative will unfold through cutscenes, promising to take players to the far reaches of the Doom universe. id Software describes the story as a "summer blockbuster event with everything on the line," as the Slayer's power becomes a coveted prize among enemies.

Martin also highlighted the team's focus on simplifying the control scheme, acknowledging that Doom Eternal's controls were overly complex. The goal is to create an intuitive experience, ensuring players aren't fumbling for unfamiliar buttons under pressure. Melee weapons will be equipped one at a time, like equipment. Additionally, the game will feature more secrets and treasures, with a simplified economy using a single currency (gold). These secrets will enhance skill progression, offering tangible, gameplay-altering rewards rather than just lore.

For those seeking a challenge, The Dark Ages introduces custom difficulty sliders, allowing players to adjust various aspects like game speed and enemy aggression directly from the UI.

I also gained insights into two standout gameplay sequences from the reveal trailer: the giant 30-story demon mech, the Atlan, and the cybernetic dragonback riding. These won't be one-time events but come with their own set of abilities and minibosses to battle. Importantly, there won't be a multiplayer mode in The Dark Ages, as the team is focusing all resources on crafting the best single-player campaign possible.

As someone deeply influenced by the original Doom in 1993, I'm particularly excited about Martin's shift away from Eternal's direction and his return to the design principles of the classic game. "It’s just gotta be different [from Eternal]," Martin said. "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 more eager than ever for the release of Doom: The Dark Ages on May 15.