Summary
Some fans who were in attendance at QuakeCon 2024 shared their incredibly positive impressions ofDoom: The Dark Agesduring its attendee-only showcase.Doom: The Dark Ageswas first revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase earlier this June.The Dark Agesis a medieval-themed prequel that takes place before the Doom Slayer’s adventures inDoomandDoom Eternal, covering his origin story as he fights off the demonic forces of Hell.
Doom: The Dark Agesis a highly anticipated 2025 release, as many gamers are excited about the weapons showcased in the gameplay reveal trailer. Weapons include a serrated shield, a skull-firing railgun, and a chain flail, along with a mecha suit that allows players to fight giant demons. The game’s developer, id Software, recently held a gameplay preview forThe Dark Agesat QuakeCon 2024, with some attendees sharing their impressions for other fans to reference.
Gameplay details were shared by rabiddentist and another anonymous user on Steam, with the informationposted to the r/doom subreddit by user POW_Studios. They both discussed some ofDoom: The Dark Ages' new weapons, with two guns being revealed: a double-barrel plasma shotgun and a single-barrel shotgun. The showcase also highlighted three melee weapons; the chain flail, Doom Slayer’s fists, and a mace. The flail can be used to collect more ammunition, while the fists can be used to create chains of electricity. The nail gun can also be used to pin enemies to walls.
Other Changes Made in Doom: The Dark Ages
Doom’s Glory Kill systemhas supposedly also been reinvented forThe Dark Ages, no longer having dedicated animations, but staggered enemies are indicated by purple rings and can be killed by charging with the shield, melee weapons, or ranged weapons. According to rabiddentist, the gameplay is slower than previous games, having a greater focus on parrying and guarding with the new shield. The shield itself can be thrown into enemies to continuously damage and stun them, or kill several fodder enemies in one go with a strong AoE attack. The shield can also be used to reflect green projectiles by parrying them, and also for traversal.
Doom: The Dark Ages' dragon and mech suit(the latter being called Atlan) are also poised to be recurring game mechanics and not just one-time things as well, according to rabiddentist. The mecha has its own HUD and can fight with its own fists and cannons, while also having its own specialized UI. The game is also looking to be more open than previous games, having less verticality thanEternalas well. While all of these details sound incredible forThe Dark Ages, it’s hard to visualize without a proper trailer or showcase video for the time being, so fans should take this information with a grain of salt for now.
WHERE TO PLAY
BECOME THE SLAYER IN A MEDIEVAL WAR AGAINST HELLDOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells an epic cinematic story worthy of the DOOM Slayer’s legend. In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.
DOOM: The Dark Ages is a dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine.REIGN IN HELLAs the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw. Players will stand and fight on the demon-infested battlefields in the vicious, grounded combat the original DOOM is famous for.STAND AND FIGHTExperience an epic story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this cinematic and action-packed story. Bound to serve as the super weapon of gods and kings, the DOOM Slayer fends off demon hordes as their leader seeks to destroy the Slayer and become the only one that is feared. Witness the creation of a legend as the Slayer takes on all of Hell and turns the tide of the war.DISCOVER UNKNOWN REALMSIn his quest to crush the legions of Hell, the Slayer must take the fight to never-before-seen realms. Mystery, challenges, and rewards lurk in every shadow of ruined castles, epic battlefields, dark forests, ancient hellscapes, and worlds beyond. Armed with the viciously powerful Shield Saw, cut through a dark world of menace and secrets in id’s largest and most expansive levels to date.
