Doom: The Dark Ages is “the most ambitious Doom game to date”, Microsoft declared during a presentation devoted to its biggest upcoming Xbox releases, where it revealed the gory action sequel’s release date.
Of all the eye-catching titles announced at the Xbox Developer Direct, including the swampy fairytale South of Midnight and fantasy RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the new Doom is arriving the latest.
Doom the Dark Ages release date: When is it coming out?
Still, there’s not long to wait. Doom: The Dark Ages will be released on May 15 for Xbox Series X/S and Game Pass, along with PS5 and PC.
What is Doom?
In the meantime, you can terrorise your way through its predecessors, Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal on Game Pass. Doom: The Dark Ages, which explores the origin story of the series’ protagonist, the gruff Doom Slayer, serves as a prequel to those two games.
Together, they form what is known as the modern Doom series, offering a fresh spin on the classic demon-slaying franchise.
And, if you’re feeling particularly fiendish, you can explore the fiery bowels of Doom on Game Pass. The subscription service also contains the original Doom and Doom 2, released in 1993 and 1994, respectively (and now bundled together), Doom 3, and Doom 64.
Doom’s legendary status stems from its pivotal role in shaping the first-person shooter genre, and its enduring appeal is bolstered by a fan community determined to make it playable on everything from iPods to pregnancy tests.
Doom: The Dark Ages combat and weapons
So, what’s new in the Dark Ages? The game is described as a “dance” with the devil set in a medieval netherworld stalked by demonic deities. We’re taking beasts on a scale never seen in Doom games, such as titans “the size of buildings”, according to developer id Software.
Of course, that means even bigger, bloodier battles. To take down the grotesque kaijus, you’ll be served up a lethal smorgasbord of weapons and mechs, from the versatile Shield Saw, capable of slicing through enemies and obstacles alike, to a thunderous double-barrel shotgun that obliterates anything in its path.
When all else fails, you can take to the skies on a cybernetic dragon and swoop down to drill your way through the demon hordes like a maniacal wizard. The action, as showcased in a ferocious new trailer, is heavy metal to the max.
Of course, the Slayer himself is a weapon of brute force power. Dark Ages promises a more grounded combat experience, mixing the Slayer’s devastating melee abilities (enhanced by a new melee skill tree that lets you upgrade his bone-crunching blows) with the first-person shooting the series is known for.
With strafing making its triumphant return, players will be able to weave between foes while dishing out punishment in close quarters. As id Software puts it: “In Doom Eternal, you felt like a fighter jet, but in Doom: The Dark Ages, you’ll be an iron tank, ready to stand and fight.”
And it’s not just the Slayer evolving – both the dragon and the new Atlan mech come with their own upgrade systems to help you augment them further.
Is it an open-world game?
The story is under wraps for now, but we know that the game begins with the Slayer breaking out of prison.
From there on, you’re free to navigate a vast, interconnected world, with towering structures, dark forests, and ancient battlefields. The game’s non-linear levels let you decide which areas to tackle first and which objectives to pursue, offering a rare level of freedom in a Doom game.
The Shield Saw not only serves as a weapon but also an essential tool for navigating broken bridges, scaling ledges, and uncovering hidden paths. Roll on May!
