Doom: The Dark Ages, a prequel to the acclaimed Doom Eternal, promises a return to the franchise's roots while delivering a fresh, powerful experience. Building upon the success of its predecessors, this new installment eschews the platforming elements of Doom Eternal in favor of intense, close-quarters combat.
The core gameplay revolves around frenetic strafing and devastating melee attacks. While the signature arsenal of powerful firearms returns—including the skull-crushing, enemy-skull-recycling weapon showcased in the reveal trailer—the three melee weapons take center stage. These include the electrified gauntlet, the flail, and the versatile Shield Saw, offering tactical options for blocking, parrying, and deflecting attacks. "You're gonna stand and fight," game director Hugo Martin emphasized.
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 game's design, featuring large-scale combat encounters reminiscent of the iconic battles in 300. The Glory Kill system has been enhanced, allowing for dynamic finishing moves from any angle. Levels are designed for exploration and offer freedom in objective completion, with a focus on approximately hour-long gameplay sessions.
Addressing criticism of Doom Eternal's Codex-based storytelling, The Dark Ages presents its narrative through cutscenes, promising a grand, cinematic story that expands the Doom universe. The developers have also simplified the control scheme, aiming for intuitive gameplay that avoids overwhelming the player during intense moments. Melee weapons are equipped individually, and the game features a streamlined economy with a single currency (gold), rewarding players with tangible gameplay enhancements rather than lore details.
The impressive giant demon mech (the Atlan) and cybernetic dragonback riding sequences from the trailer are not isolated events but integral parts of the gameplay, each with unique abilities and mini-boss encounters. Importantly, The Dark Ages will focus solely on a single-player campaign, foregoing the multiplayer mode of Doom Eternal to maximize the single-player experience.
Martin's emphasis on returning to the core principles of the original Doom while creating a distinct experience from Doom Eternal is a key element of The Dark Ages' design. The game aims to deliver a powerful and satisfying gameplay loop rooted in classic Doom's strengths, promising a thrilling return to the series' roots. The May 15th release date is eagerly anticipated.
