Exploring DOOM: The Dark Ages – A Hands-on Experience with Storytelling, Sandboxes, Mechs, and Dragons

In my final session with The Dark Ages, I stepped into a version of the game I never anticipated. The experience placed me in an expansive open zone, setting the stage for a completely fresh take on the DOOM universe. Guided only by the mission to close five demon portals, I had the freedom to decide how I reached that goal. This self-directed adventure constantly reminded me that this wasn’t your typical DOOM game.

The open-world environment was loaded with various optional challenges. I stumbled upon heavily defended artillery installations that begged to be dismantled, discovered stashes of gold to enhance my gear, and more. During one unexpected moment, an enormous tentacle erupted from the earth, launching an attack. This wasn’t a cutscene or a directed objective, just one of the many spontaneous encounters that kept me on my toes.

Each portal presented its own set of surprises. Unlike the first mission where closing them was straightforward, these required more creativity. Some transported me to dungeons filled with puzzles that I had to solve to spot and dismantle their power sources. Others unveiled formidable Leader enemies whom I couldn’t harm until I defeated enough of their minions. Conquering these foes rewarded me with permanent upgrades. Throughout my quest, I uncovered new firearms, enhancing my arsenal with plenty of gear to try. The game constantly surprised me, showing a developer eager to innovate within the DOOM framework.

This exploration of DOOM: The Dark Ages feels like an expression of the developers’ excitement, not only for the franchise but for its potential evolution. I anticipated fresh plots, weapons, and monsters, but this leap into new gameplay styles was unexpected. I’m eager to see what other surprises await.

Set to release on May 15, 2025, DOOM: The Dark Ages will be playable on Xbox Series X|S, PC (via the Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, and Battle.net), PlayStation 5, and through cloud gaming. Game Pass subscribers will have access from the first day.