Doom: The Dark Ages – A Return to Roots, Amplified
Following the phenomenal success of 2016's Doom and its sequel, Doom Eternal, id Software is taking a different approach with Doom: The Dark Ages. Instead of building upon Eternal's platforming elements, this prequel focuses on delivering a raw, powerful, and intensely visceral combat experience rooted in classic Doom gameplay.
The iconic arsenal returns, enhanced by the addition of the skull-crushing new weapon showcased in the reveal trailer. However, The Dark Ages significantly emphasizes melee combat, featuring the electrified gauntlet, a flail, and the standout Shield Saw, all offering unique tactical options for close-quarters combat. "You're gonna stand and fight," game director Hugo Martin confirmed.
Martin cites inspiration from the original Doom, Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and Zack Snyder's 300 as key influences. This is reflected in the game's design, featuring large-scale combat encounters reminiscent of 300's iconic battle scenes and the original Doom's arena-style combat. The Glory Kill system has been overhauled, allowing for dynamic finishing moves from any angle. Level design prioritizes freedom, allowing players to tackle objectives in any order and explore at their leisure, with level lengths adjusted to maintain a roughly one-hour playtime per level.
Addressing criticisms of Doom Eternal, The Dark Ages presents its narrative through cutscenes rather than in-game codex entries. The storyline promises a significant expansion of the Doom universe, described as a "summer blockbuster event."
The control scheme has been streamlined for improved intuitiveness, simplifying the complexity of Doom Eternal. Melee weapons are equipped individually, and the game features a simplified economy with a single currency (gold). Secrets reward skill progression with tangible gameplay benefits rather than lore. Custom difficulty sliders allow for fine-tuned challenge adjustments, affecting factors such as game speed and enemy aggression.
The giant Atlan mech and cybernetic dragon riding sequences from the trailer are not isolated events, each offering unique abilities and mini-boss encounters. Importantly, The Dark Ages will not include a multiplayer mode, allowing the developers to fully concentrate on crafting a compelling single-player experience.
Martin's emphasis on returning to the core principles of the original Doom while still offering a fresh experience is evident. He aims to deliver a powerful and satisfying gameplay loop that feels true to the franchise's roots. The anticipation is palpable, with the May 15th release date eagerly awaited.
