DOOM: The Dark Ages – What To Expect

Highly anticipated, the upcoming release of DOOM: The Dark Ages is set for release on 15th May 2025. The latest installment in the franchise, it’s set to be released on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X at the same time. Get ready for the launch by stocking up on your Steam and PlayStation gaming gift cards at Mobiletopup.co.uk.

The prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM and DOOM: Eternal, DOOM: The Dark Ages fills in vital gaps in the saga’s timeline. DOOM Slayer and his time in Argent D'Nu. But what to expect from the new release? Combine a historical medieval setting and fantastical creatures with fast-paced combat and you get an exciting, fresh perspective on the DOOM series.

Gameplay and Combat

In DOOM: The Dark Ages, fast-paced action is still very much at the heart of the game. Inspired by the original DOOM (1993), players engage in heavy-hitting, visceral combat with medieval weapons like swords and crossbows. Clashes feature grounded combat, ranged bombardment, vicious melee strikes and more. Meanwhile, players must also put into practice the magical, using spells and enchanted weapons. Consequently, there is an ever-shifting balance between close combat, ranged attacks and environmental strategy which brings a new, exciting dimension to gameplay.

There’s also new medieval-inspired enemies to contend with. Think larger-than-life dragons, dark knights of the undead, and evil sorcerers. Each enemy offers a different type of challenge. Large-scale boss fights demand multi-phase combat strategies, while intricate magical duels which call for spell enactments. Once weakened, players can hone in on these enemies to perform brutal (yet satisfying) executions.

The Story and Setting

A prequel to the previously released DOOM saga, DOOM: The Dark Ages takes place in a fantastical world full of magic and ancient prophecies. Set long before the events seen in DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, the fallen warrior DOOM Slayer is resurrected by an ancient order which commands him to fight against the legions of Hell.

Drawing a clear line between the early original games in the franchise and their modern releases, the story reveals the DOOM Slayer’s past, showing the origins of his war and how he came to earn his title. At the ending of DOOM 64 (the last of the original saga), he barricaded himself in hell to fight. Fast-forward to the newer iterations and DOOM (2016) saw our protagonist waking up in a sarcophagus, no longer in Hell. DOOM: The Dark Ages tells the story of how he got there. In a setting steeped in history and vengeance, players experience DOOM Slayer’s earliest battles with Hell.

Graphics and Performance

The game harnesses next-gen visual upgrades and id Software’s latest technology advancements to deliver a stunning and immersive experience, adding emphasis to the saga’s brutality. Using the newest id tech engine, the game boasts cinematic lighting, hyper-detailed textures, and real-time environmental destruction. Meanwhile, atmospheric effects – think flickering torchlight and dynamic weather – make the world come alive. Damage done to enemies is more visceral, too, with an enhanced gore system and dismemberment physics. Lastly, advanced AI brings characters to life with intelligent combat and reactions.

When Is DOOM: The Dark Ages released?

DOOM: The Dark Ages will be released 15th May 2025 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. It will be available to play on the Xbox Game Pass subscription service the same day.

Should Fans Be Excited?

Unequivocally – yes, fans of the DOOM series should be very excited – as should those who have yet to play any games in the franchise.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a reimagining of the brutalistic combat and mythical undertones the series is celebrated for. A bold new setting filled with cutting-edge visuals, rich storytelling and adrenaline-fueled gameplay, the game keeps DOOM’s signature chaos firmly intact. Exploring uncharted territory, DOOM: The Dark Ages blends fatalistic medieval fantasy with the raw power of the DOOM Slayer, fusing the familiar with the unexpected. If you ever wanted to see what Hell looked like in a world of swords and sorcery — this is it.

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