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Experience Medieval Mayhem in DOOM: The Dark Ages – Preview

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How might you elevate the already exhilarating experience of DOOM Eternal, one of today’s most extravagantly wild first-person shooters? It appears that by equipping your protagonist with an imposing circular guard is the approach taken. This isn’t just any run-of-the-mill shield, oh no – it boasts jagged edges that spring to lethal life when activated, but its role extends beyond mere dismemberment. It serves as a means of warding off and countering enemy attacks; you can hurl it across the battlefield like Captain America’s shield; and visually, it’s downright stunning. The Shield Saw is a fitting addition to the primal and untamed Slayer, the ‘super weapon of gods and kings,’ whose backstory is delved into in DOOM: The Dark Ages, a tale centered around a medieval conflict against the armies of Hell.

In the latest installment of DOOM, game director Hugo Martin coins the phrase “DOOM: The Dark Ages” as its central theme – a battle cry of “stand and fight”. Unlike in DOOM 2016 where players were likened to fighter jets, this time, the Slayer is an unyielding iron tank. Armed with a powerful arsenal of guns and medieval melee weapons, the character becomes a relentless force that moves around with a protective shield, similar to web-slinging. This new DOOM appears to be at its purest form, and id Software acknowledges it as a return to their classic style, offering an optimized and user-friendly control system. Martin emphasizes that players should focus on battling enemies rather than struggling with the controls, as the shield is conveniently mapped to a single button, eliminating any confusion or need for controller adjustments during gameplay.

In gameplay, the developer appears to have focused on minimizing any barriers between the player and the fast-paced action displayed on the screen in DOOM. The traditional strafing movement is back, while glory kills are now “unsynced,” meaning you’ll see a swift execution move based on your attack angle instead of a pre-set animation on an off-balance enemy. Additionally, the Slayer has a variety of melee options such as a spiked mace, iron flail, and electrified gauntlet, providing more diversity in gameplay and control over the Slayer’s actions. Marty Stratton, director at id Studio, notes that these changes make the gameplay feel more integrated with the Slayer’s core loop. Furthermore, he mentions that The Dark Ages includes some of the most powerful weapons ever created by the developers, all inspired by gruesome medieval torture devices.

Witness the Skull Crushing tool of iron, ravenously crushing skulls and expelling sharp bone fragments as blazing shards that rip through demonic tissue. Similarly, the Rail Spike functions like a giant crossbow, launching massive rusty nails at alarming speed. This ancient scene is brought to life by id Tech 8, transporting you into dense woodlands, cramped dungeons, and vast hellish landscapes, allowing you the freedom to unleash unrestricted chaos. Dark Ages offers a unique power fantasy, unlike any other creation from id, placing you in the most expansive play area the series has ever seen. Here, you control the pace, your destination, whom or what you battle, and the objectives you decide to confront. Initially, the Slayer may be confined, but eventually, you’re given free rein.

Discussing DOOM: The Dark Ages, this new iteration emphasizes a seamless storyline, minimizing the need for extensive reading of codex pages, as opposed to DOOM where much of the lore was previously hidden. This game presents a gritty, cinematic universe where the Slayer encounters formidable adversaries, carving his path to becoming the bane of Hell itself. The inspiration for this game is diverse, ranging from the enchanting realm of FromSoftware’s Souls series, to J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, the courageous stand of Leonidas in 300, and even Frank Miller’s portrayal of Batman in The Dark Knight Returns, a 1986 graphic novel that depicts an aged, battle-hardened Bruce Wayne. According to Martin, the goal was to create a strong, imposing Slayer similar to that characterization.

If you’re still not satisfied, how about trying out the unique features like soaring on a cybernetic dragon or commanding a 30-story Atlan mech? In any case, you’ll find yourself battling hordes of demons in this single-player game. The developers made a conscious choice to concentrate solely on the campaign from the start, allowing them to incorporate elements they were passionate about, such as the dragon and mech. Fundamentally, their goal was to make The Dark Ages as user-friendly as possible without implying it would be easier. As Martin explains, this means less complexity, which in turn allows for more demanding gameplay, involving the annihilation of demon armies and managing resources to keep up the fight.

As an enthusiast, I can’t help but share that there are additional customization options available in this upcoming game, including the ability to tailor the parry window for your shield. You can opt for a narrow window if you’re up for a more intense challenge, or a very generous one – by default, it will lean towards being quite generous due to the fast-paced nature of “The Dark Ages” and its focus on striking a balance between raw aggression and sheer fun. Currently, we only have hands-off gameplay to go on, but the latest installments of DOOM serve as a reference point. From what I’ve seen so far, “DOOM: The Dark Ages” promises to be top-notch. For novice players, it’s said to offer a complete experience that stands independently. However, for seasoned DOOM fans, this new title looks set to be an absolute delight.

Anticipation builds as we eagerly await the day when we can team up and engage in battle – that’s right, when DOOM: The Dark Ages releases on 15th May for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.

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2025-01-23 22:12

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