DOOM: The Dark Ages – Release Date, New Weapons, Combat Mechanics, & Gameplay Information

DOOM: The Dark Ages – What to Expect from the Upcoming Game

Highlighted during the January 2025 Xbox Developer Direct, DOOM: The Dark Ages has captured the attention of gamers with its fresh combat mechanics and an official launch date. Developers from id Software unveiled a comprehensive presentation detailing these new gameplay features, setting up players for the intense battles that lie ahead in this installment. Also shared were intriguing insights into the game’s expansive world and story, effectively linking it to the rich history of the beloved franchise that has thrived for over thirty years.

As a prequel to the acclaimed DOOM Eternal (released in 2020) and its expansions, DOOM: The Dark Ages aims to bridge vital narrative gaps in the series. Set against a techno-medieval backdrop that intricately combines elements of fantasy and science fiction, players can finally delve into the thrilling escapades of the Doom Slayer hinted at in previous games’ lore. Thankfully, the wait will soon be over for eager fans!

Release Date for DOOM: The Dark Ages

Game Launching in Late Spring

DOOM: The Dark Ages Premium and Collector's Editions Bonuses

Mark your calendars: DOOM: The Dark Ages will officially launch on May 15, 2025. The game will be accessible on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and Windows. Notably, Game Pass subscribers can enjoy the game on the first day of its release, alongside other games showcased at the Xbox Developer Direct event, significantly adding to the service’s value. Additionally, purchasers of the Premium or Collector’s Editions will benefit from two days of early access, starting on May 13, and will receive an array of exclusive bonuses.

Bonus Included	Premium Edition	Collector’s Edition
Early Access	Yes	Yes
Campaign DLC	Yes	Yes
Divinity Skin Pack	Yes	Yes
Digital Artbook	Yes	Yes
Soundtrack	Yes	Yes
Key Card Replica	No	Yes
Steelbook Case	No	Yes
12″Doom Slayer Statue	No	Yes

Both the Premium and Collector’s Editions come equipped with a host of downloadable content, including a future campaign DLC, digital artbook, soundtrack, and an extensive Divinity Skin Pack that features fresh skins for the Doom Slayer, his dragon mount, and the Atlan mech. Collectors will also receive exclusive items such as a replica of in-game keycards, a stunning twelve-inch statue of the Doom Slayer, and an elegant steelbook case. Moreover, preordering the game grants players access to an additional Doom Slayer skin.

Even as a subsidiary of Bethesda and under Microsoft’s ownership, DOOM: The Dark Ages will maintain multi-platform availability, launching on PlayStation 5 simultaneously with the Xbox and Windows versions. Interested players can preorder the game digitally from platforms such as Xbox, PlayStation Store, or Steam.

Exciting New Weapons in DOOM: The Dark Ages

Enhanced Arsenal Featuring Additional Melee Options

What truly captivates players in any DOOM title is the weaponry at their disposal, and DOOM: The Dark Ages appears to be no exception. Central to the new combat system is the Shield Saw, a versatile weapon that the Doom Slayer wields alongside his primary firearm, offering various tactical applications. Whether launched as a projectile, used defensively to parry projectile attacks, or to execute defeated foes, it also intrigues as a potential grappling tool for vertical mobility.

In line with its medieval fantasy theme, The Dark Ages introduces a robust selection of melee weapons. Featured prominently is the flail, accompanied by an electrified power gauntlet and a vicious spiked mace, which enhance the revamped Glory Kill system. This new system is designed to provide players with a broader array of options and upgrades than ever before.

The new firearms showcased are equally thrilling. Among them, the accelerator—the successor to the plasma rifles of yesteryears—and the rail spike gun, capable of pinning adversaries to walls with large nails. Not to be overlooked, the eye-catching skull crusher literally grinds bones into ammo to unleash a storm of bone shards, delivering devastating damage to enemies.

DOOM: The Dark Ages Trailer & Gameplay Insights

Rethinking Combat: Stand & Fight Unlike Before

Watch the gameplay trailer here

Gameplay Trailer

During the presentation at the Developer Direct, id Software emphasized a significant shift in combat approach for DOOM: The Dark Ages. The game reflects inspirations from the original DOOM titles with a newfound focus on strafe aiming.The new combat philosophy encourages a grounded, heavy offense rather than the frantic mobility previously favored in the series. Producer Marty Stratton and Director Hugo Martin highlighted this shift through exclusive gameplay footage:

You know we want every DOOM game to stand on its own, as a unique experience, so in 2016 we asked you to run and gun. In DOOM Eternal it was jump and shoot. And in DOOM: The Dark Ages, you’re gonna stand and fight.

This emphasis on “stand and fight”is evidenced in the gameplay sequences, wherein the Doom Slayer maintains a strategic stance during battles, employing quick dodges and lunges for powerful Glory Kills. The Shield Saw demonstrates its prowess as a defensive mechanism, capable of reflecting projectiles and leaving enemies vulnerable.

The gameplay features also introduce exhilarating aerial combat, showcasing the Doom Slayer riding a dragon mount, alongside segments where players command a formidable mech suit against massive demon foes, evoking the scale of a thrilling monster movie. Stratton and Martin assured fans that both the dragon and mech elements will be integral to the gameplay experience in DOOM: The Dark Ages.

Sources: Xbox, PlayStation Store, Steam, Bethesda Softworks/YouTube

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