DOOM: The Dark Ages, the next installment in the veteran first-person shooter series, has revealed a generous portion of its gameplay with a 15-minute video that has sparked the interest of many fans of the genre. Id Software has offered the press an extensive demo of the title, allowing various fragments to come to light that show what the gaming experience will be like.
The video clearly shows the studio's commitment to combining the classic essence of the franchise with new gameplay ideas.This time, DOOM moves to a much darker, medieval setting with brutal weapons, unbridled combat, and mechanics never before seen in other installments.
A first look at DOOM: The Dark Ages in action
The gameplay features fast-paced combat with hordes of demons, a variety of settings, and a darker aesthetic than previous installments. The medieval setting with touches of science fiction takes center stage, with castles, Gothic designs, and even more grotesque enemies. All of this is accompanied by an artistic direction that blends the infernal with the brutality of the Middle Ages.
The famous Doom Slayer faces new challenges, although his destructive power remains intact. The available arsenal includes both firearms and new melee options, with the most notable being the sawshield, a tool that offers both defensive and offensive functions. You can read more about this weapon in our article on DOOM: The Dark Ages and its chainsaw shield.
The saw shield, key in combat
One of the great novelties is the saw shield, a sort of hybrid between a traditional shield and a circular saw. It not only serves to block enemy attacks, but also can be launched as a devastating projectile capable of traversing multiple enemies. It's also perfect for breaking structures, solving small puzzles, or opening new routes.
The shield is not short on defense. Allows you to make well-calculated parries to counterattack with force, which adds an unexpected tactical layer to a game characterized by its speed. It can even be charged with energy to execute attacks that devastate nearby enemies.
This parry and shield charge mechanic adds more depth and makes melee combat feel noticeable. in development, something that wasn't as common in previous installments of the saga's reboot. In this sense, the evolution of the combat mechanics can be compared to what is presented in the title. DOOM Eternal.
More exploration and open levels
Another of the playable pillars that have been tested is the inclusion of open areas, where the player can explore more freely. While DOOM still features linear corridors and enclosed combat, there are now larger areas with secondary objectives, hidden secrets, and alternate paths.
These more open spaces offer a playable variety that wasn't felt as much in previous installments.. It's possible to find secondary dungeons, small puzzles, optional challenges, and upgrades for the Slayer. This seeks to enrich the gameplay experience beyond pure combat, a trend that can also be seen in other titles such as Age of Empires 2.
In some sections, exploration takes place on the back of a cybernetic dragon., adding a new approach to aerial combat. Here, the player can soar through hostile skies, dodge attacks, and shoot at strategic targets. Although this section is less precise than ground combat, it adds variety to the experience.
More physical, more visceral combat
The overall gameplay retains the speed and brutality that characterizes the franchise, but now adds new nuances with heavier movements and more forceful impacts. The goal is for the player to feel every hit, every bullet, every parry, and every execution.
Hand-to-hand combat is not circumstantial, but a key pillarFrom the gauntlet to the flail, new bladed weapons allow you to chain combos, breach defenses, and effectively take down tough enemies. Plus, blows recharge with a specific resource, so use them wisely.
The gameplay has been further sped up by removing many of the classic execution animations. Now, instead of elaborate glory kills, some enemies are simply finished off with a swift blow when vulnerable. While this takes away some of the visual spectacle, it enhances the seamless flow of combat.
Spectacular vehicles and moments
During the demo, a playable segment aboard a giant robot or “mecha”, which allows the Slayer to take on larger enemies. This more linear section offers a brief respite from the usual frenetic pace to focus on the player's destructive power. Although it's slower to operate, generates a feeling of overwhelming power.
In addition, an aerial combat scene mounted on a mechanical dragonIn this case, the controls are freer and more agile, with intense flight phases and targets to be eliminated from the sky. These sequences don't have the same depth as ground combat, but they serve as a relief and add variety.
An unexpected narrative approach
In terms of plot, DOOM: The Dark Ages acts as a prequel to DOOM (2016), and expands the Slayer's backstory while introducing new characters and alliances. This time, The story is told in a more cinematic way, with scenes and dialogues that reinforce the context, although without interrupting the action too much.
The medieval setting becomes the visual and narrative thread. The use of castles, archaic technology combined with the futuristic and a clear techno-gothic aesthetic give this installment a unique identity within the saga.
The narrative revolves around the use of the Slayer as a weapon by superior beings, positioning him as a pawn in a larger struggle, which opens the door to reflections on control, obedience, and freedom.
Technical and gameplay highlights
In the technical part, The game runs smoothly on the computers used for the demo, with no performance drops or noticeable bugs. The experience was solid, even in moments with multiple enemies on screen and simultaneous explosions.
Visually, DOOM: The Dark Ages displays a high level of detail., with dense environments, striking lighting effects, and elaborately designed enemies. However, some users have pointed out that the excessive use of bright colors to signal attacks or states could break the dark atmosphere that is sought.
On the other hand, it has been commented that The soundtrack has a more industrial and less identitarian approach Following the departure of Mick Gordon, the regular composer for the series' most recent titles, he still performs well in combat, although he doesn't stand out as much as he did in previous installments.
The test was carried out in Ultraviolence difficulty, which presented a considerable challenge. Death was common in several sections, reflecting a level of challenge that will surely appeal to more experienced players.
What awaits us on May 15th
With everything that has been seen in this demo, DOOM: The Dark Ages aims to be one of the most complete installments in the saga.The title offers a mix of fast-paced action, meaningful exploration, and a more cinematic approach, without losing sight of the brutal identity that characterizes the franchise.
id Software seeks to enrich its formula without betraying it. While there will be purists who struggle to accept some of the new elements, such as the open-ended levels or the more prominent narrative component, Everything indicates that the base remains as devastating as ever..
The title will be available next May 15 and will arrive on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC, in addition to being included from day one in Xbox Game Pass. While we have yet to see how the entire package works in its final version, the first contact leaves good expectations.