Following the success of id Software's 2016 Doom revival and its 2020 sequel, Doom Eternal, the franchise takes a grounded approach with its medieval-themed prequel, Doom: The Dark Ages. Instead of the platforming seen in Eternal, The Dark Ages focuses on high-speed, high-skill strafing combat, emphasizing power and engagement with Hell's minions.
True to its roots, Doom: The Dark Ages retains its iconic arsenal, including the newly introduced Skull Crusher, showcased in the reveal trailer. This weapon innovatively uses the skulls of defeated enemies as ammunition, firing them at remaining foes in high-velocity fragments. Alongside firearms, the game places significant emphasis on three melee weapons: the electrified gauntlet, which can be charged for increased impact; the flail; and the standout Shield Saw from the reveal trailer, which can be thrown, used to block, parry, or deflect. As game director Hugo Martin emphasized after 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, reflecting a shift towards a more visceral, close-quarters combat experience. The Glory Kill system, a hallmark of modern Doom games, has been updated to allow fatalities from any angle, adapting dynamically to the player's position amidst the hordes of enemies. This change accommodates the game's wider combat areas, reminiscent of the battles in 300 and the original Doom, and supports a non-linear level design where players can tackle objectives in any order and explore freely. Martin noted that levels have been shortened to maintain an optimal gameplay duration of about an hour each.
Addressing feedback from Doom Eternal, The Dark Ages shifts its storytelling approach by integrating the narrative through cutscenes rather than requiring players to delve into the Codex. The game promises an expansive story that will explore the far reaches of the Doom universe, likened to a "summer blockbuster event" with high stakes centered around the Slayer's coveted power.
Martin highlighted efforts to simplify the control scheme, acknowledging that Doom Eternal's complexity may have been overwhelming. In The Dark Ages, melee weapons will be equipped one at a time, enhancing ease of use. The game also streamlines its economy to a single currency, gold, and focuses secret discoveries on gameplay-enhancing rewards rather than lore. Additionally, customizable difficulty sliders allow players to adjust game speed, enemy aggression, and more, tailoring the challenge to their preference.
Notable gameplay sequences from the reveal trailer include piloting the 30-story demon mech, the Atlan, and riding a cybernetic dragon, both of which are recurring elements with their own sets of abilities and miniboss encounters. Notably, there will be no multiplayer mode in The Dark Ages, as the development team aims to focus entirely on delivering an exceptional single-player campaign.
For fans like myself, who were transformed by the original Doom in 1993, Martin's shift from the successful path of Eternal back to the design principles of the classic game is thrilling. As Martin put it, "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 on the essence of Doom has me eagerly anticipating the release on May 15.
