Everything that we know about Doom: The Dark Ages so far (2025)

When it comes to the Doom franchise, expectations run high. id Software’s storied series has long been synonymous with innovation, intensity, and pure adrenaline. Now, with Doom: The Dark Ages, officially announced at the Xbox Developer Direct 2025 event, the studio is doubling down on its legacy, pushing the boundaries of what a first-person shooter can be. Last week, Marty Stratton and Hugo Martin, executive producer and game director of Doom: The Dark Age, gave a group of media including HardwareZone a sneak preview of the prequel to Doom 2016, and share with us how the team at id Software is seeking to reimagine the franchise while delivering a more grounded Doom experience similar to the 1993 original.

At first glance, Doom: The Dark Ages feels like an ambitious experiment with its medieval spin on the Slayer’s war against hell. Yet, it’s clear that id Software hasn’t sacrificed the essence of what makes Doom special. Instead, they’ve carefully woven together fresh ideas and familiar elements, creating a game that they say is both accessible to newcomers and rewarding for long-time fans. The result is a high-octane adventure that’s steeped in both innovation and nostalgia.

The medieval setting is the most immediate departure from the series’ traditional aesthetic. Gone are the sterile corridors of Martian research facilities and the hellish industrial sprawl of prior instalments. Instead, Doom: The Dark Ages invites players into a cinematic sci-fi fantasy world brimming with dark forests, crumbling castles, and ancient battlefields. This shift in tone isn’t just for show though, as it’s integral to the gameplay itself. The environments are larger and more intricate than anything seen in previous entries, encouraging exploration and rewarding curiosity. Players will uncover hidden caves, treasure-laden dungeons, and dynamic battlefields, all while grappling with the ever-present threat of hell’s minions.

Combat has always been the heart of Doom, and The Dark Ages doesn’t look like it will disappoint. However, the gameplay philosophy has undergone a significant shift.Where the last game,Doom Eternal(which, by the way, we loved), was all about high-speed acrobatics, the new Doom opts for a more grounded, weighty approach.Players are no longer like “fighter jets darting around the battlefield” in Doom Eternal; here they are more akin to slow but powerful iron tanks. Marty says this change should bring a renewed focus on strategic positioning and timing that makes each enemy encounter feel deliberate and impactful.

A standout feature of the new combat system is the shield saw, which got many of us excited with its combination of offensive and defensive capabilities during the preview. With a single input, you can block, parry, and deflect incoming attacks, adding a layer of tactical depth that’s new to the series. The shield saw alone truly changes Doom as the shooter that we have known so far and reflects id Software’s bolder approach with The Dark Ages. This also means that melee combat takes centre stage in the prequel game. Players can wield an arsenal of brutal medieval-inspired weapons, including an electrified gauntlet, an iron flame, and a spike mace. Each is integrated into a comprehensive melee system, complete with combos, upgrades, and customisation options.

But Doom is not Doom without guns, and Hugo says Doom: The Dark Ages delivers some of the most imaginative and devastating weapons in the series’ history. Designed as ancient torture devices repurposed for demon-slaying, these armaments are as satisfying to use as they are visually striking. From brutal projectile launchers to high-powered energy weapons (both Marty and Hugo didn’t reveal the weapons’ names), each gun is a carefully crafted instrument of destruction. It’s clear that id Software hasn’t lost its touch when it comes to creating weapons that are as fun to wield as they are deadly.

Beyond the core combat mechanics, The Dark Ages introduces several features that expand the scope of the gameplay. For the first time, players can pilot a colossal mech called the Atlan, a 30-storey juggernaut capable of destroying even the largest of hell’s titans. If that’s not enough, there’s also a cybernetic dragon armed with a Gatling gun and fire-breathing capabilities, which also seems to allow players to explore areas that are not reachable by foot.

But perhaps one of the most innovative aspects of Doom: The Dark Ages is its approach to accessibility and customisation. Recognising that players have different preferences and skill levels, Marty explains that id Software has introduced a new difficulty system complete with sliders. This allows players to fine-tune the speed and challenge of the game to suit their style. For instance, there’s an option to slow the game down to say, 0.5x of normal time, which makes it easier to dodge bullets and enemies’ strikes. On the other hand, if you relish some high-speed bullet hell fun, you can also fasten the time to go at 2x. Whether by intent or accident, this also seems to have the effect of adding some interesting replayability to the game too.

Of course, no Doom game would be complete without a killer soundtrack, and The Dark Ages delivers in spades. The score, crafted by the award-winning team at Finishing Move (who also did the tracks for Borderlands 3, Halo Wars 2 and 2016’s Doom), blends heavy metal with mediaeval influences to create a soundscape that’s as dynamic and intense as the gameplay. It’s a fitting accompaniment to the Slayer’s journey which Hugo described as “a metal soundscape that’s loaded with guitars, medieval vibes and pure adrenaline”.It’s hard to find a better description, especially after watching the trailer.

Narratively, Doom has traditionally relied on minimal storytelling, but with The Dark Ages, both Marty and Hugo say it embraces a more cinematic approach. You will follow the Slayer’s journey from imprisonment to redemption, encountering new characters, formidable villains, and tantalising glimpses into the Slayer’s past. Interestingly, in its focus to create “a compelling single-player” experience, id Software says Doom: The Dark Ages will not have a multiplayer mode.

There’s still a lot to unpack with Doom: The Dark Ages, but it won’t be a long wait this time. The prequel will be out on 15 May for PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation and Game Pass.