here’s nothing quite like Doom, especially after the recent releases that reinvented the series as a fast-paced, brutal, arcade-style shooter. With waves of demonic enemies and oceans of blood, Doom has always been a hallmark of adrenaline-pumping action. Now, a new entry, Doom: The Dark Ages, promises to take things even further with a medieval twist, blending dark fantasy with the franchise’s over-the-top gameplay and iconic metal soundtrack.
Rumors of this prequel began circulating in 2023 under the working title Doom: Year Zero, but the game was officially revealed during the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase as Doom: The Dark Ages. Let’s take a look at everything we know about the next chapter of this legendary series.
Release Date and Platforms
Hell will break loose once more when Doom: The Dark Ages releases in 2025. Like its predecessors, this title will be available across multiple platforms, including PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. Despite being a Microsoft-owned franchise, the game will still release on Sony’s PS5, ensuring fans on both systems can experience the carnage. As a first-party title for Microsoft, Game Pass users will also likely get to dive in from day one.
Story, Setting, and Characters
Set between the original ’90s Doom games and the more recent Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, Doom: The Dark Ages digs deeper into the lore of the Doom Slayer. The game explores the Slayer’s time on the world of Argent D’Nur, home of the Night Sentinels, where he was enslaved and forced into gladiatorial combat. After proving himself, the Doom Slayer joined the Night Sentinels, just as Hell launched its invasion.
The game centers on this pivotal chapter of the Slayer’s journey. After discovering that their Maykr allies had betrayed them to side with Hell, the Night Sentinels, alongside the Doom Slayer, launch a desperate mission into the depths of Hell to derail the Maykrs’ plans. However, the tale of Doom: The Dark Ages is one of inevitable loss. The game will likely follow how, after all but the Doom Slayer perish, he begins his transformation into the legendary figure known simply as the Doom Slayer.
Gameplay and Combat
The core of Doom: The Dark Ages remains true to the series’ essence—run-and-gun action with a relentless sense of speed. According to directors Hugo Martin and Marty Stratton, the game takes inspiration from the original Doom titles, incorporating their “push-forward” momentum while evolving the combat experience. Martin explained how this title incorporates slower-moving but devastating projectiles, forcing players to focus on movement to survive.
Combat in The Dark Ages will involve dynamic arenas, but with a medieval twist. Doom Slayer’s fluid movement, combined with slower, harder-hitting attacks from enemies, makes for tactical action that requires skillful dodging and precise strikes. While much remains under wraps, players can expect the hallmark Doom experience: fast, brutal, and rhythmic combat.
Weaponry and Arsenal
Weapons are at the heart of any Doom game, and Doom: The Dark Ages will continue the tradition of giving players an outrageous arsenal to shred through the armies of Hell. Confirmed so far is the return of the iconic super-shotgun, a plasma assault rifle, and a deadly railroad spike rifle. Perhaps most exciting is the Skullcrusher, a weapon that grinds up skulls and fires them as lethal shrapnel—an inventive and gruesome addition to the series’ armory.
One intriguing new addition is the shield, a devastating piece of medieval weaponry that doubles as a deadly offensive tool. The Doom Slayer can block attacks, push through enemy fire, and even parry enemies when timed correctly. In one snippet of gameplay, the Slayer throws the shield like a demonic frisbee, ricocheting it off walls and cleaving through enemies before catching it in one fluid motion. The shield-saw, reminiscent of Captain America, could quickly become a fan-favorite weapon.
Visuals and Performance
While it’s not yet confirmed whether Doom: The Dark Ages will receive a PS5 Pro enhancement, games from id Software are known for pushing the boundaries of video game visuals. Whether on PC, Xbox, or PlayStation, players can expect a jaw-dropping display of graphical power combined with the smooth frame rates essential for fast-paced action.
Final Thoughts
As we await its 2025 release, Doom: The Dark Ages is shaping up to be a massive entry in the series. With its dark fantasy setting, new weapons, and focus on frenetic yet tactical combat, it has the potential to tell one of the Doom Slayer’s most thrilling stories. Prepare to rip and tear once again—this time, in the medieval nightmare of Argent D’Nur.
