Doom: The Dark Ages – The First Preview

Doom: The Dark Ages, a prequel to the acclaimed Doom Eternal, aims for a return to the series' roots while retaining the high-octane action. Instead of the platforming emphasis of its predecessor, this iteration prioritizes intense, close-quarters combat with a focus on powerful melee weapons.

The arsenal includes returning favorites alongside exciting additions like the Skull Crusher, which utilizes enemy skulls as ammunition. However, the three melee weapons – an electrified gauntlet, a flail, and the Shield Saw – take center stage. Gameplay director Hugo Martin describes the combat as "stand and fight," emphasizing strategic positioning and skillful use of these tools.

Martin cites the original Doom, Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and Zack Snyder's 300 as key inspirations. This influence is evident in the game's design, featuring large-scale combat encounters reminiscent of 300's epic battles. The Glory Kill system has been redesigned for enhanced fluidity, allowing for kills from any angle. Level design prioritizes freedom, allowing players to tackle objectives in any order, with levels adjusted to maintain an approximate one-hour playtime.

Addressing criticism of Doom Eternal's narrative delivery, The Dark Ages presents its story through cutscenes rather than in-game codex entries. The narrative promises a large-scale story described as a "summer blockbuster event," focusing on the Slayer's power and the threats against it.

The control scheme has been simplified for improved intuitiveness, addressing concerns about Doom Eternal's complexity. Melee weapons are equipped individually, streamlining gameplay. The game features a simplified economy with a single currency (gold), and secrets reward tangible gameplay improvements rather than lore details.

Showcased sequences featuring a giant demon mech (the Atlan) and cybernetic dragonback riding are not isolated events but offer unique abilities and mini-boss encounters. Importantly, the game will not include a multiplayer mode, allowing the developers to fully concentrate on the single-player experience.

Martin highlights the deliberate shift away from Doom Eternal's direction, emphasizing a return to the core principles of the original Doom. This focus on a more classic Doom experience, while maintaining powerful gameplay, is a key driving force behind The Dark Ages' design. The game's release date is set for May 15th.