Doom: The Dark Ages Unveils New Gameplay Details

In a captivating interview with EDGE magazine, the developers behind Doom: The Dark Ages have unveiled exciting new details about the game's gameplay, signaling a bold evolution for the iconic franchise. This installment promises to place the story front and center, with levels designed to be the most expansive in the series' history, offering players a thrilling sandbox-like experience.

Game director Hugo Martin and studio head Marty Stratton shared key insights during the discussion. Unlike previous Doom titles where much of the backstory was tucked away in text logs, Doom: The Dark Ages will embrace a more direct storytelling approach. The game's atmosphere will immerse players in a medieval setting, scaling back on futuristic elements. Even the iconic weapons will undergo a design transformation to align seamlessly with this new world.

Image: youtube.com

While maintaining the series' tradition of distinct levels, Doom: The Dark Ages will feature the largest maps yet, seamlessly blending dungeon crawling with open-world exploration. The game is structured into "acts," starting with confined dungeons before opening up into vast, explorative areas. Adding to the gameplay diversity, players can now control both a dragon and a mech, enhancing the dynamic nature of the experience.

A novel addition to the Slayer’s arsenal is a versatile shield that also functions as a chainsaw. This innovative tool can be thrown at enemies and reacts uniquely based on the material it strikes, whether it be flesh, armor, energy shields, or other substances. The shield also facilitates a dash attack, enabling players to swiftly close distances on the battlefield. With the absence of double jumps and roars from earlier games, this shield mechanic becomes pivotal for mobility. Additionally, the shield supports parrying, with adjustable difficulty settings and precise timing windows.

Parrying in Doom: The Dark Ages serves as a "reload" mechanism for melee attacks, while melee combat replenishes ammunition for primary weapons, echoing the chainsaw mechanic from DOOM Eternal. Players will have a range of melee options at their disposal, including a rapid gauntlet, a balanced shield, and a slower but powerful mace.