Doom: The Dark Ages

While it was announced in June 2024, reports later revealed that id Software had already begun work on Doom: The Dark Ages immediately after the completion of Doom Eternal’s post launch campaign in 2021. However, since a rather extravagant reveal during the Summer Games Fest in 2024, id Software has had fans eagerly awaiting for the prequel that sends them back in time. And as it is a Doom game, it comes packed with a catalogue of bizarre weapons and more as witnessed in the trailer.

What is Doom: The Dark Ages about?

As it is a prequel, Doom: The Dark Ages is set several years before the events of Doom (2016) and it explores the origin of the series’ protagonist; The Slayer. It follows The Slayer as he slowly becomes the kingdom’s last hope against the forces of hell in a medieval setting. In a world that is set well before Hell’s invasion of both Earth and Mars, The Slayer, who has been authorized by the Maykrs, joins forces with the Night Sentinels of Argent D'Nur (allies of the Maykrs) as they battle it out in a ferocious war with the forces of hell for the Heart of Argent.

However, the Slayer doesn’t fight freely as it is later shown that his master, Kreed Maykr, has him under his thumb with a device they call the Tether. From there, the story takes the player across the Slayer’s twisted past as he fights demonic forces of all kinds with a wide assortment of weapons and power along the way. It also depicts his attempts to free himself from the control of his master and attempt to almost singlehandedly wage war against the spawns of Hell and Hell itself.

Doom: The Dark Ages Gameplay

As witnessed by the trailer and the first few days since the game has been released, it is obvious that unlike the lightning-fast combat of Doom Eternal, Doom: The Dark Ages is different. id Software has slowed down the gameplay a touch and while it’s not quite as slow as Doom (2016), the developers seem to have hit the sweet spot for many. With an arsenal of weapons including time honored favourites like the super shotgun, players have a lot to work with.

Especially as each gun has it’s own purpose and usage, which players will figure out as they tinker and figure out their way through the game. What’s new, however, is the shield and like most shields in the video game universe, this one’s main usage is to block and parry attacks as a shield normally does. However, it can also deal damage through various attacks that the player needs to learn over the course of their time in the game.

Combine the weapons and the shield together alongside the melee attacks and the game flows, as every action usually fits together like a puzzle. Not only that, there’s also several special items that the Slayer can pilot including a dragon and a rather large Doomecha to fight enemies along the way.

Doom: The Dark Ages trailers

Official trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tk8lkmYGWQ&ab_channel=BethesdaSoftworks

Official trailer 2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1i3YfGl5ag&ab_channel=BethesdaSoftworks

Official accolade trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AETOhV1InjI&ab_channel=BethesdaSoftworks

Official launch trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7IEg0_qNXs&ab_channel=BethesdaSoftworks

When will Doom: The Dark Ages be released?

Doom: The Dark Ages released on May 15 for all platforms but early access began at midnight UTC on May 13. However, early access was only for pre-order purchasers while everyone else had to wait until May 15 although the game could be pre-loaded and kept before it unlocked.

What platforms will Doom: The Dark Ages be released for?

Doom: The Dark Ages has been released for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 consoles as well as on PC on the Microsoft Store (Xbox PC), Steam, Battle.net. Not only that, it is also available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (including PC Game Pass and xCloud) and NVIDIA GeForce NOW. Furthermore, it has been announced that the game will be coming soon on Boosteroid.