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

EDGE magazine recently featured an interview revealing exciting new details about Doom: The Dark Ages. This iteration will prioritize narrative, boasting the largest levels in the franchise's history, creating a more sandbox-like experience.

Game director Hugo Martin and studio head Marty Stratton highlighted key aspects: Unlike previous entries where lore was primarily delivered through text logs, The Dark Ages will feature a more direct storytelling approach. The game's atmosphere will embrace a medieval aesthetic, minimizing futuristic elements. Even the iconic weaponry will undergo a design revamp to align with the new setting.

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

A standout addition to the Slayer's arsenal is a versatile shield that functions as a chainsaw. This throwable weapon interacts uniquely with different materials – flesh, armor, energy shields, etc. – adding strategic depth. The shield also facilitates a dash attack for rapid traversal, compensating for the absence of double jumps and roars from previous titles. Furthermore, the shield allows for parrying, with adjustable difficulty settings and precise timing requirements.

Parrying serves as a "reload" for melee attacks, while successful melee combat replenishes ammunition for ranged weapons, echoing the chainsaw mechanic from DOOM Eternal. Melee combat options include a swift gauntlet, a balanced shield, and a heavier mace, offering diverse combat styles.