Doom: The Dark Ages – The First Preview

Doom: The Dark Ages, a prequel to the acclaimed Doom Eternal, returns to the series' roots while retaining the high-octane, skill-based combat that defines the franchise. Instead of the platforming elements of its predecessor, this installment emphasizes intense, strafe-heavy battles with a focus on powerful melee weapons.

The core gameplay retains the signature Doom arsenal, introducing the Skull Crusher – a weapon that utilizes enemy skulls as ammunition – alongside enhanced melee options. These include the electrified gauntlet, a flail, and the Shield Saw, offering versatile offensive and defensive capabilities. Game director Hugo Martin describes the combat as "stand and fight," highlighting the shift in focus.

The Dark Ages draws inspiration from the original Doom, Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and Zack Snyder's 300, resulting in large-scale combat encounters reminiscent of those iconic works. The Glory Kill system has been redesigned for fluidity, allowing for finishing moves from any angle. Levels are designed for exploration and offer flexible objective completion, with a targeted playtime of around an hour per level.

Addressing previous criticisms, the narrative is delivered through cutscenes rather than in-game text, promising a compelling story that expands the Doom universe. The control scheme has been streamlined for intuitive gameplay, and the progression system is simplified with a single currency (gold) and gameplay-focused rewards. Difficulty can be customized extensively through in-game sliders.

Showstopping moments from the reveal trailer, such as the Atlan mech and cybernetic dragon riding, are confirmed to be integral parts of the gameplay, featuring unique abilities and mini-boss encounters. Notably, the game will not include a multiplayer mode, allowing the developers to concentrate on crafting a superior single-player experience.

Martin emphasizes a deliberate shift away from Doom Eternal's design, aiming for a more classic Doom feel. The focus is on empowering the player with a refined power fantasy, drawing heavily from the original game's design principles. This return to core elements has generated significant excitement, with anticipation building for the May 15th release.