Following the exhilarating revival of Doom in 2016 and its even more refined sequel, Doom Eternal, in 2020, id Software's next installment, Doom: The Dark Ages, takes a bold step back to its roots. This medieval-themed prequel shifts the focus from the platforming elements of its predecessor to a more grounded, strafe-centric combat experience. While Doom's signature arsenal remains intact, including the innovative Skull Crusher that uses the skulls of defeated foes as ammunition, The Dark Ages emphasizes melee combat with three key weapons: the electrified gauntlet, the flail, and the versatile Shield Saw, which can be thrown or used for blocking, parrying, or deflecting. Game director Hugo Martin emphasized this shift, stating, "You're gonna stand and fight," during a demo of the new game.

The inspiration for Doom: The Dark Ages draws from a trio of influential works: the original Doom, Frank Miller's graphic novel Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and Zack Snyder's film 300. This influence is evident in the revamped Glory Kill system, which now allows for dynamic, angle-specific finishing moves amidst the chaos of battle. The game's design also embraces the open combat arenas reminiscent of 300 and the original Doom, allowing players to tackle objectives in any order and explore levels more freely. Martin noted that these levels have been adjusted to be about an hour long, catering to the optimal gameplay experience.

Addressing previous criticisms, Doom: The Dark Ages will present its story through cutscenes rather than relying on the Codex, promising an epic narrative that spans the vast reaches of the Doom universe. Martin described it as a "summer blockbuster event" with high stakes, emphasizing the Slayer's coveted power.

To enhance player experience, the development team has simplified the control scheme, making it more intuitive and less complex than Doom Eternal's. Melee weapons will be used one at a time, like equipment, and the game's economy has been streamlined to a single currency, gold. Secrets and treasures will now focus on skill progression, offering tangible gameplay benefits rather than just lore.

For those seeking a challenge, customizable difficulty sliders allow players to adjust game speed, enemy aggression, and more, tailoring the experience to their preference. Additionally, standout sequences from the reveal trailer, such as piloting the 30-story demon mech Atlan and riding a cybernetic dragon, will feature as recurring elements with their own abilities and miniboss encounters. Notably, Doom: The Dark Ages will not include a multiplayer mode, with the team's full focus on crafting an exceptional single-player campaign.

As someone who experienced the transformative impact of the original Doom in 1993, Martin's decision to pivot back to the foundational principles of the classic game while still evolving the power fantasy is particularly exciting. He articulated this shift, saying, "It's just gotta be different [from Eternal]. Especially if I loved the game. [If] I wanna play a Doom game, I wanna feel strong, but I'm OK with changing what that power fantasy is, especially if that change brings it closer to classic Doom." With the release date set for May 15, anticipation for Doom: The Dark Ages is at an all-time high.