Hey everyone! Hugo Martin here, Game Director for Doom: The Dark Ages, and I’m coming to you straight from the bustling offices of id Software. We’re in the final stages of fine-tuning this new chapter in the series, and trust me, we’re just as eager for you to dive in as you are. While we put the finishing touches on it, we’ve got some fresh gameplay footage for you to check out. There’s a lot to unpack from this video, so let’s jump right in. I bet you’ve got some burning questions, so let me fill you in with more details…
### What’s New in the Combat Loop for Dark Ages?
In broad strokes, you could say it’s a blend of the best elements from Doom Eternal and Doom 2016, but with a fresh, medieval spin. Our aim is to pair the intricate combat loop of Eternal with the straightforward control scheme that defined Doom 2016. Remember all those cool moves you executed in Eternal? Now in Dark Ages, there’s a set of exciting medieval maneuvers to master, but this time with fewer buttons to fuss over!
We achieve this balance of depth and simplicity by making the Shield-Saw and other tools react differently based on the materials they hit. It’s all about context: throw your shield at a plasma barrier, and it’ll ricochet to hit enemies; embed it in flesh to stun bigger demons; or smash armor to cause a devastating area blast—all with just one button!
Think of it like a guitar: we might have fewer strings now, but we’ve added more frets, keeping the richness of the gameplay intact and offering players new skills to hone. By sticking with familiar FPS inputs, we hope to create an intuitive learning curve, blending fun with tactical smarts.
### What’s Up with the “Rings” Around Enemies?
Those yellow rings are falter indicators. The concept of “falters” was important in both Eternal and Doom 2016. Skilled players found ways to stack these attacks, using them to stun-lock powerful foes—something we always intended. In Dark Ages, making it clear when enemies falter is a top priority, so any player can explore ways to exploit this to their advantage. While you don’t need to rely on falters to win, mastering them can be a game-changer, especially on higher difficulties like Ultra Nightmare.
### Is There More Story in This Doom Chapter?
Absolutely! Dark Ages presents three pillars of engagement: combat, exploration, and story. While narrative is just a part of the mix, we’re committed to delivering a story that enhances the power fantasy, giving players even more drive to battle through the campaign. A compelling storyline allows us to deepen the adversaries, enrich the worlds, and create mighty challenges.
Here’s a sneak peek: With the Slayer imprisoned at Dark Ages’ start, the balance is shifting dangerously. You play a feared outsider among a beleaguered populace, his might dictated by the gods of an ancient world besieged by evil. Set as a prequel in the Doom timeline, it kicks off at the beginning of the Slayer’s journey with the Sentinels, imbued with power by the Maykrs. Our hero emerges as a formidable force in a medieval conflict against hell’s spawn.
### When Can You Play?
Mark your calendars for May 15, 2025! We can barely contain our excitement for you to experience what we believe might just be the ultimate Doom game ever. With intense combat, expansive exploration, and a gripping story that befits the Slayer’s legacy—and epic battles featuring the Atlan and dragons—there’s truly something for everyone.
Thanks for tuning in, and watch this space for more updates!
