New Gameplay Details Revealed for Doom: The Dark Ages

In a recent interview with EDGE magazine, the developers of Doom: The Dark Ages unveiled exciting new details about the game. This iteration will prioritize narrative, boasting the largest levels in the series' history, creating a truly sandbox-like experience.

Game director Hugo Martin and studio head Marty Stratton highlighted several key aspects: Unlike previous Doom titles where lore was primarily revealed through text logs, The Dark Ages will feature a more direct and engaging storytelling approach. The game's atmosphere will evoke a medieval setting, minimizing futuristic elements. Even the iconic weaponry will undergo a significant design overhaul to seamlessly integrate with this new era.

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While retaining the series' signature distinct levels, Doom: The Dark Ages will introduce the largest environments yet, seamlessly blending dungeon crawling with expansive open-world exploration. The game’s chapters are structured into "acts," progressing from claustrophobic dungeons to vast, explorable areas. Adding further variety, players will gain control of both a dragon and a mech, significantly expanding gameplay options.

A revolutionary addition to the Slayer's arsenal is a shield that functions as a dual-purpose chainsaw. This versatile tool can be thrown at enemies, exhibiting unique reactions based on the target (flesh, armor, energy shields, etc.). The shield also facilitates a dash attack for rapid traversal, compensating for the absence of double jumps and roars from previous games. Furthermore, the shield incorporates a parry mechanic with adjustable difficulty settings and precise timing windows.

Parrying serves as a "reload" for melee attacks, while successful melee combat replenishes ammunition for primary weapons—a mechanic reminiscent of the chainsaw in DOOM Eternal. Melee combat options include a fast gauntlet, a balanced shield, and a slower, heavier mace.