After Doom (2016) ripped and tore its way back into relevance and Doom Eternal (2020) cranked the insanity up to 11, where could the series possibly go next? More demons? Bigger guns? Faster movement? Nope. Instead, it’s going back in time—all the way to the medieval era—because what Doom clearly needed was knights, flails, and a chainsaw shield (yes, really).
Doom: The Dark Ages ditches the air-dashing, wall-climbing chaos of Eternal and plants your feet firmly on the ground, forcing you to stare into the soulless, bloodthirsty eyes of Hell’s minions before caving their skulls in with medieval weaponry. Because subtlety was never Doomguy’s thing.
Melee Combat: Because Guns Are Too Mainstream
Sure, the classic Doom guns are still here, including a new weapon called the Skull Crusher—which, in a stroke of absolute genius, chews up your enemies’ skulls and spits them back out at their friends as high-speed projectiles. Recycling at its finest.
But the real focus this time? Melee combat. Yes, Doom has finally realized what every gamer with anger issues already knew—sometimes, you just want to punch things in the face. Enter your three new best friends:
- The Electrified Gauntlet – For when you want to turn demons into overcooked bacon.
- The Flail – Because why swing a sword when you can obliterate things with a spiked metal ball?
- The Shield Saw – It’s a shield. It’s a saw. It spins. It parries. It decapitates. This thing is so ridiculous that it’s already a fan favorite.
According to game director Hugo Martin, The Dark Ages was inspired by the original Doom (1993), Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, and Zack Snyder’s 300—which means expect lots of slow-motion violence, unrelenting hordes, and probably some angry shouting.
Goodbye Platforming, Hello Carnage
One major change? The Glory Kill system is now unsynced, meaning you can execute brutal finishers from any angle. No more awkwardly waiting for the right animation to trigger—just rip, tear, and move on with your day.
And speaking of movement, say goodbye to Doom Eternal’s parkour gymnastics. No more bouncing around like a caffeinated ninja—The Dark Ages wants you to stand your ground and fight, just like a true medieval warrior. Expect wider arenas, fewer forced platforming sections, and way more demons trying to tear you limb from limb.
A Story You Don’t Have to Read for Once
Remember how Doom Eternal buried its story in Codex entries that you had to pause and read? Yeah, that’s gone. Instead, The Dark Ages actually tells its story in cutscenes (what a revolutionary concept).
The developers are calling it a “summer blockbuster event,” which basically means big explosions, insane action, and a plot that you won’t really care about but will absolutely enjoy watching unfold. And apparently, the stakes are higher than ever, because Doomguy’s power is now coveted by his enemies. As if they didn’t already have enough problems.
Simplified Controls – Because Doom Eternal Gave Us Hand Cramps
If Doom Eternal felt like you needed to be a piano virtuoso just to switch weapons, you’re not alone. The devs admitted that maybe, just maybe, they overcomplicated things. So now, controls are more intuitive, melee weapons are equipped like standard gear, and the economy has been reduced to one currency: gold. Simple, effective, and no more micromanaging a dozen different resources while mid-rampage.
Secrets are also more rewarding, offering actual gameplay-altering upgrades instead of just lore dumps. Because let’s be honest—nobody was reading those anyway.
Cybernetic Dragons, Giant Demon Mechs, and No Multiplayer
Oh, and in case Doom wasn’t already ridiculous enough, let’s talk about the cybernetic dragon and 30-story demon mech from the reveal trailer. They’re not just there for show—you’ll actually get to use them in battle. Unfortunately, you can’t just summon them whenever you want, because that would be too fun. But they’ll play a major role in the game, complete with unique abilities and even mini-boss fights.
Also, in a move that will surprise approximately no one, Doom: The Dark Ages has no multiplayer mode. The developers decided to focus entirely on the best single-player campaign possible, and considering Doom Eternal’s Battle Mode wasn’t exactly a huge hit, that’s probably for the best.
Doom, but Different – And That’s a Good Thing
The biggest takeaway? This isn’t just Doom Eternal with a medieval skin. Hugo Martin made it clear: The Dark Ages is designed to feel fundamentally different, while still delivering that overpowering, demon-slaying, adrenaline-fueled action we all crave.
It’s still Doom, but it’s Doom with a brutal, melee-heavy, medieval twist. And honestly? That sounds metal as hell.
May 15th Can’t Come Soon Enough
With its grounded combat, cinematic storytelling, cybernetic dragons, and even more ways to turn demons into gory paste, Doom: The Dark Ages is shaping up to be one hell of a ride.
Mark your calendars. May 15th is going to be legendary. Pre- Purchase Doom
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