DOOM: The Dark Ages grabbed the spotlight during Microsoft’s Xbox Developer_Direct, to no one’s surprise. Developer id Software showcased an extensive new look at its upcoming first-person shooter, and it’s looking like another exciting evolution of the franchise.
The biggest change from past instalments is that DOOM: The Dark Ages is ostensibly a semi-open world title. Director Hugo Martin describes it as “the largest play space ever in a DOOM game”. Players will discover “secret caves and dungeon-like mines in search of vital resources.”
“You control the pace of the game- where you go, who you fight, and the objectives you pursue. It’s a DOOM sandbox full of war and riches,” Martin says. And sure enough, id Software describes it as the largest campaign it has ever built “by a good bit”, with plenty of optional content to keep you busy. Read more on that through here.
DOOM: The Dark Ages is also touting a new style of combat, swapping Eternal’s “jump and shoot” style with a focus on standing your ground and aggressively fighting enemies, in line with the medieval setting and theme of the prequel. New tools include a Shield Saw, an iron flail, a spiked mace, an electric gauntlet, and a roster of what id describes as “some of the most ridiculously powerful weapons” to ever come from the studio.
Glory kills have also been changed and are now completely unsynced. Players can also look forward to fully fleshed-out gameplay sections centered on piloting an Altan mech or a cybernetic dragon capable of breathing fire and firing gatling guns. New difficulty options have also been added in, including multiple new sliders, with id describing the game as “the perfect entry point” for newcomers.
DOOM: The Dark Ages will also feature a “big, Summer blockbuster” story, according to id Software, with a new approach to storytelling. “It’s easier to access now, as we’ve taken the narrative out of the codex and into the cutscenes, featuring new characters, old allies, and powerful new villains,” says Martin.
The music, meanwhile, is being composed by Finishing Move. The music production company has worked on titles such as The Callisto Protocol, Borderlands 3, and Halo Wars 2. Musician Mick Gordon, who composed the soundtrack for DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, isn’t returning.
DOOM: The Dark Ages launches for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Game Pass on May 15, as leaks suggested.
