Doom: The Dark Ages Unveils Medieval Combat and Simplified Gameplay

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — id Software has revealed new details about its upcoming prequel, *Doom: The Dark Ages*, set to launch on May 15, 2025. The game, which shifts the franchise’s focus from high-speed platforming to grounded, melee-heavy combat, promises to deliver a fresh yet familiar experience for fans of the iconic first-person shooter series.

Game director Hugo Martin described *The Dark Ages* as a departure from the fast-paced, acrobatic gameplay of *Doom Eternal* (2020), instead emphasizing a heavier, more powerful combat style. Inspired by Frank Miller’s *The Dark Knight Returns* and *300*, as well as the original 1993 *Doom*, the game aims to evoke a sense of raw strength and medieval brutality. “You’re gonna stand and fight,” Martin said during a press event, highlighting the game’s focus on melee weapons and close-quarters combat.

The game introduces new tools like the Shield Saw, a versatile weapon that can block, parry, and deflect enemy attacks. Players will also wield the Skull Crusher, a gruesome firearm that uses enemy skulls as ammunition. Melee options include an electrified gauntlet, a flail, and the Shield Saw, each offering contextual attacks to simplify the control scheme. “You want to be fighting your enemies, not your controls,” Martin explained, addressing criticisms of *Eternal*’s complexity.

*The Dark Ages* also features expanded battlefields and sandbox-style levels, though executive producer Marty Stratton clarified that the game is not open-world. Players will encounter massive set pieces, including a 30-story demon mech called the Atlan and dragonback riding sequences, each with unique abilities and minibosses. However, the game will not include multiplayer, as the team has focused entirely on crafting a robust single-player campaign.

Difficulty customization is another key feature, with sliders allowing players to adjust game speed, enemy aggression, and damage settings. Hardcore modes like Nightmare and Ultra Nightmare will return, ensuring a challenge for veteran players. The game will also streamline its storytelling, replacing *Eternal*’s Codex entries with cinematic cutscenes to immerse players in the Slayer’s origin story.

*Doom: The Dark Ages* will launch on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X, with day-one availability on Game Pass. Fans of the series can expect a blend of nostalgia and innovation, as id Software seeks to redefine the power fantasy that has defined *Doom* for over three decades.