New Gameplay Details Revealed for Doom: The Dark Ages

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

EDGE magazine recently unveiled fresh details about the upcoming Doom: The Dark Ages, promising a significant shift in the franchise's formula. This iteration prioritizes narrative, boasting the largest levels in the series, creating a more sandbox-like experience.

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

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While maintaining the series' signature level-based structure, Doom: The Dark Ages introduces the largest levels to date. Gameplay will blend dungeon crawling with open-world exploration. The game is structured into "acts," starting with confined dungeons that gradually open up into expansive areas. Adding further variety, players will gain control of both a dragon and a mech.

A revolutionary addition to the Slayer's arsenal is a versatile shield that functions as a chainsaw. This shield can be thrown at enemies, exhibiting unique interactions depending on the target (flesh, armor, energy shields, etc.). It also facilitates a dash attack for rapid traversal, compensating for the absence of double jumps and roars from previous games. The shield further incorporates a parry mechanic with adjustable difficulty settings and precise timing windows.

Parrying acts as a "reload" for melee attacks, while successful melee combat replenishes ammunition for ranged weapons—echoing the chainsaw mechanic in DOOM Eternal. Melee options include a fast gauntlet, a balanced shield, and a slower mace.