Doom: The Dark Ages

Centuries before the events of Doom (2016), the Doom Slayer wages a one-man war against hell in a medieval world. Developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks, this eighth mainline entry trades the acrobatic mobility of Doom Eternal for a heavier, more grounded feel. Players wield classic weapons like the super shotgun alongside new medieval tools such as a flail and a shield. For the first time, you can pilot a massive mech and ride a cybernetic dragon, adding new scale to the carnage. Released on May 15, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows, the game launched day one on Xbox Game Pass and attracted 3 million players in its first week.

Development began after id Software finished Doom Eternal's post-launch campaign The Ancient Gods in 2021, with full production underway by August 2022. The game was announced at the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2024, generating buzz for its shift in tone and setting. The Dark Ages strips back platforming and resource management to focus on pure combat and exploration. Critics praised its atmospheric level design, weighty gunplay, and the satisfying power fantasy of the Doom Slayer's medieval rampage.

While maintaining the series' signature ultraviolence and heavy metal soundtrack, The Dark Ages introduces a more narrative-driven approach, using cutscenes and environmental storytelling to flesh out the Doom Slayer's origins. The game also features a robust multiplayer component, including a new 2v1 mode where two players control demons against a single Doom Slayer. With its mix of familiar and fresh elements, Doom: The Dark Ages successfully reinvents the franchise for a new era while honoring its classic roots.[edit]

The core combat emphasizes raw, visceral action. Instead of the acrobatic dashes and wall-climbing of Doom Eternal, you move with deliberate weight. Each shotgun blast and melee swing carries impact. The flail lets you whip demons from a distance, while the shield can block attacks and be thrown as a projectile. Piloting the Atlan mech transforms you into a towering war machine, crushing enemies underfoot. Riding the cybernetic dragon lets you rain fire from above, strafing demon hordes in open arenas. The game also introduces a 2v1 multiplayer mode where two players control demons against a single Doom Slayer.[edit]

Long before the UAC expedition on Mars, the Doom Slayer was already a legend. This prequel explores his early crusade against the forces of hell in a medieval setting. Through cutscenes and environmental storytelling, the game reveals how he earned his title and why the demons fear him. The narrative is darker and more archaic, focusing on the brutality of a one-man war. Key events include the forging of the Praetor Suit and the first encounters with iconic demon types. The story culminates in a confrontation that sets the stage for the Doom Slayer's eventual imprisonment.[edit]