DOOM: The Dark Ages – Mastering the Ultimate Weapon [Exclusive Preview]

In Doom (2016), fans were thrown directly into the thick of the action as the relentless Doom Slayer, armed to the teeth and ready to decimate Hell’s legions with no introduction needed. This raw, no-nonsense entry enthralled players, complemented by a driving soundtrack that screamed urgency. Now, id Software has decided to twist the narrative with Doom: The Dark Ages, a bold prequel that promises to unravel the origins of the legendary Slayer. It’s a surprising turn for the franchise, which has thrived on high-speed, exhilarating gameplay in the last two installments. Yet, rest assured, even though we’re diving into the past, The Dark Ages builds on the refined mechanics and storytelling techniques honed in 2016’s Doom and its sequel, Doom: Eternal.

The folks at Game Rant had the privilege to get an early hands-on preview of Doom: The Dark Ages, showcasing the game’s core elements. The demo teased bits of the storyline, unleashed the might of the Atlan mech gameplay, included a mythical dragon ride, and, as expected, tons of glorious demon slaying. This year’s iteration wears the motto “Stand and Fight” proudly, and each aspect of the game reinforces this battle cry, as evidenced in our sneak peek.

In this preview, Doom: The Dark Ages places a heavy emphasis on narrative richness, using cinematic cutscenes to weave its story and draw connections to the 2016 game. This time around, players won’t have to sift through log entries to understand the lore.

The storyline sets up a fierce showdown between the Sentinels and the forces of Hell. Rich characters come into play amidst political intrigue, with the Makyrs overseeing events. Early in the game, the Makyrs control the Doom Slayer, utilizing him as their ultimate weaponish chess piece. However, their grip is slipping, hinting that the Slayer will soon pursue his own agenda.

The inclusion of cutscenes enhances storytelling—an element that might have felt missing previously—and showcases id Software’s stunning visuals and imaginative world-building. Players do momentarily step out of the Slayer’s perspective, but the payoff is worth it. And don’t worry, because Doom: The Dark Ages is poised to serve up plenty of action.

Fans of the brutal combat from Doom and Eternal will find a familiar yet refreshed experience in The Dark Ages. The brutal combat remains thrilling, populated with creative weaponry ready to crush demons, but the real game-changer comes with the introduction of a shield.

In contrast to Eternal’s vertical maneuvers and Meat Hook, The Dark Ages’ shield offers another layer of strategy. It’s less about evading attacks and more about staunchly facing them, embodying the “Stand and Fight” ethos.

Despite the shield’s protective nature, gameplay feels fast-paced, thanks to a swift dash move that enables the Slayer to quickly reach enemies and unleash chaos. The mechanism operates somewhat like Eternal’s Meat Hook, but surprisingly more agile due to its swift cooldown.

The shield combat continues to evolve, introducing new moves like parrying enemy attacks, stunning foes, or stripping overheated armor. The shield is not just an accessory; it represents a new approach, a way for id Software to innovate and challenge players with novel combat tactics.

Those exhilarating, visceral glory kills are still here, but more fluidly integrated into combat rather than pausing the action for dramatic effects. During our preview, the linear level design demonstrated the combat’s might and the deep environmental storytelling that enriches The Dark Ages’ narrative.

The new Atlan segment, where players control a towering mech, adds a fresh dynamism to the game. The combat here feels weighty and powerful, offering a break from standard gameplay, although we only had a slight taste of it. Punches land with satisfying impact, and as you progress, the mech gains weapons to dispatch multiple foes efficiently.

While the dragon-riding segment didn’t quite hit the mark with its predetermined attack patterns and lackluster combat engagement, it showed potential for depth in future iterations.

Exploring Doom: The Dark Ages introduced an open area peppered with objectives, collectibles, and secrets, a nod to sandbox exploration. This section also introduced a gold currency, enhancing gameplay by allowing upgrades to an already fearsome arsenal. Choose wisely, as the upgrades align with different playstyles and further empower the Doom Slayer.

Even set against familiar backdrops, the thrill of Doom: The Dark Ages is unmistakable. The shield keeps the momentum intense while challenging players to adapt strategically. The combined mastery of movement, gunplay, visuals, and sound creates an intoxicating cocktail of chaos that’s hard not to love. Though a few elements may not astonish, the heart-pounding fun of Doom: The Dark Ages is irrefutable. With weapons in hand and a shield poised to defend, the escapade promises one hell of an adventure.

Doom: The Dark Ages is set for an epic release on May 15, 2025, available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Get ready for an adventure back to the roots on a medieval battlefield teeming with anarchy.