New Gameplay Details Revealed for Doom: The Dark Ages

Doom: The Dark Ages – A Medieval Twist on Classic Gameplay

EDGE magazine recently unveiled new details about Doom: The Dark Ages, promising a significant shift in the franchise's formula. This iteration prioritizes narrative, presenting a richer story than previous entries. The game will also boast the largest levels in the series' history, creating a more expansive, sandbox-like experience.

Game director Hugo Martin and studio head Marty Stratton highlighted key changes:

Unlike previous installments where lore was primarily delivered through text logs, The Dark Ages will feature a more direct storytelling approach. The setting evokes a medieval atmosphere, toning down futuristic elements. Even the iconic weaponry will undergo a redesign to maintain thematic consistency.

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While retaining the series' signature level-based structure, Doom: The Dark Ages introduces significantly larger environments. Gameplay will seamlessly blend dungeon crawling with open-world exploration. The game's chapters are structured into "acts," progressing from confined dungeons to vast, explorable areas. Adding further variety, players will gain control of both a dragon and a mech.

A notable addition to the Slayer's arsenal is a versatile shield that functions as a chainsaw. This unique weapon can be thrown at enemies, exhibiting different effects depending on the target (flesh, armor, energy shields, etc.). The shield also facilitates a dash attack for rapid traversal and incorporates a parry mechanic with adjustable difficulty settings and precise timing requirements.

The parry mechanic acts as a "reload" for melee attacks, while successful melee combat replenishes ammunition for ranged weapons, echoing the chainsaw mechanic in DOOM Eternal. Players will choose from a range of melee options: a swift gauntlet, a balanced shield, and a powerful mace. The absence of double jumps and roars from previous games means the shield's dash attack will be critical for battlefield mobility.