Doom: The Dark Ages – A Medieval Twist on a Classic Shooter, Release Date and Early Access Details

Get ready to dive into the brutal world of Doom: The Dark Ages, the latest installment from id Software that promises a fresh take on the iconic shooter franchise. This week has been buzzing with excitement as details emerge about the game's unique combat mechanics, launch date, and early access opportunities. But what makes this Doom different, and why should you be paying attention?

A New Era of Doom

Billed as a prequel to the 2016 Doom revival, Doom: The Dark Ages diverges from its predecessors in significant ways. While Doom Eternal emphasized speed and evasion, The Dark Ages focuses on standing your ground and obliterating hordes of demons simultaneously. Forget the rapid-fire weapon juggling; this time, it's all about blunt force trauma.

Gameplay Mechanics: A Blast from the Past with a Modern Twist

The core combat harkens back to the original 1993 Doom, featuring slow-moving projectiles from classic enemies. But now, the Doom Slayer is slower and heavier, relying on a shield to deflect incoming missiles. Successfully countering projectiles stuns enemies, opening them up for brutal glory kills. While vicious, these executions are often more streamlined than in previous games, focusing on impactful punches and kicks.

Weapons and Challenges

Id Software has introduced new weapons to combat the infernal legions, including a demon-impaling rail-spike launcher and a gun that shreds enemies with crushed skulls. Larger battlefields host smaller enemies and shielded leaders, requiring strategic thinking and adaptation.

One reviewer notes: "It’s a fascinating reformulation of the core ideas of Doom, and learning the rhythm of its shooting is as fun as witnessing its devastating effect. It is an easier riff to master than Eternal, however, while the slower pace and less stringent toolset mean that, at its highest level, it doesn’t produce the same adrenaline rush."

Scale and Exploration

The game features 22 vast levels, offering open-ended exploration. Players can pilot an enormous mech called an Atlan for slow-motion combat or fly on the back of a dragon. While these sections add novelty, they might feel reminiscent of vehicle sections from older shooters.

Prepare for Launch

Doom: The Dark Ages launches on May 15 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Steam, and PlayStation 5. Preloading begins on May 11 at midnight UTC. Owners of the Premium Edition can enjoy Early Access starting May 13 at midnight UTC, gaining up to two days of playtime before the official launch. The Premium Edition also includes a Digital Artbook & Soundtrack, Divinity Skin Pack, and access to future Campaign DLC.

PC Specifications are available to ensure your rig is ready for battle, and require a hardware ray tracing-compatible GPU.

Final Thoughts

Doom: The Dark Ages is shaping up to be an experimental and innovative entry in the Doom franchise. While it may not reach the same adrenaline-pumping heights as Doom Eternal, its unique combat mechanics and vast levels offer a refreshing experience. Will you be preloading and jumping into Early Access? What are your expectations for this medieval-themed Doom?

Share your thoughts in the comments below! What are you most excited about in Doom: The Dark Ages?

• DOOM
• id Software
• Xbox

Related issues news

When does Doom the Dark Ages unlock?

Doom: The Dark Ages officially launches on May 15, but people who pay more for the $100 Premium Edition can start playing on May 13. The Dark Ages is included with Game Pass Ultimate, and subscribers can spend $35 on a Premium upgrade pack to play two days early and get other perks.

How long is Doom the Dark Ages?

I've consulted our reviewer and he estimates it will take players 25 hours to complete the 22-chaptered campaign, and roughly 35 hours for completionists.

Will Doom the Dark Ages be on Game Pass?

DOOM: The Dark Ages is optimized for Xbox Series X|S consoles supporting HDR and Ray Tracing. Pre-install with Game Pass or pre-order now.

Is Doom: Dark Ages a prequel?

DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells an epic cinematic story worthy of the DOOM Slayer's legend.

X talks about this news