Doom: The Dark Ages Is a Gory, Savage Throwback With a Contemporary Flair

When the initial Doom debuted in 1993, it transformed the gaming industry. Universally acknowledged as one of the most impactful first-person shooters (FPS) ever, the game starred a faceless space marine—lovingly referred to as “Doom Guy” by its followers—taking down demons on Mars in a straightforward, adrenaline-fueled frenzy.

Fast forward thirty years, and even as the gaming world has undergone drastic changes, the fundamental attraction of Doom remains intact: the exhilarating, relentless thrill of annihilating demons in a torrent of blood. Doom: The Dark Ages, the forthcoming prequel to the 2016 reboot, honors this tradition while introducing new features to keep the gameplay invigorating.

An In-Depth Preview of Doom: The Dark Ages

I recently enjoyed a few hours with an early PC version of Doom: The Dark Ages, navigating through various chapters on the standard “Hurt Me Plenty” difficulty setting. While the original Doom focused on breakneck demon destruction, this latest entry presents a more cinematic journey, elaborating on the lore and transporting players well beyond the red sands of Mars.

But fear not—if you’re not entirely caught up with Doom’s mythology, the storyline is straightforward: You are the Slayer, a superweapon engineered by deities and monarchs. Your mission? Exterminate demons. A lot of them.

Classic Doom Meets Contemporary Chaos

Produced by id Software and published by Bethesda, Doom: The Dark Ages pays tribute to its origins with recognizable elements like floating green armor, blue health pickups, and the legendary Doom Guy visage at the screen’s bottom, indicating your health status. (Indeed, it will still turn red and skull-like when you’re near death.)

The gunplay in the game is just as exhilarating and gratifying as ever. A varied arsenal promotes experimentation, with each weapon providing distinct effects. For example, you can supercharge a plasma shield by shooting it with a plasma gun, or heat up metal armor before shattering it with a shield toss. Every demon has vulnerabilities, and selecting the appropriate weapon can alter the tide of battle. Still, the classic “spray and pray” technique works perfectly fine for players who favor mayhem over strategy.

My go-to strategy? Charging into the fray with a shield, bouncing between foes like a blood-soaked pinball. Later on, I upgraded my shield with chainsaw blades, transforming it into a lethal frisbee that could slice through demons or lodge itself in tougher adversaries. The lock-on system enabled me to unleash destruction without pausing the action.

A Bit More Space to Explore

While Doom titles are typically recognized for their straightforward levels, The Dark Ages introduces slightly more expansive environments. These aren’t vast open-world layouts, but they do provide some leeway in how you tackle combat situations and exploration. In one case, I bypassed a challenging skirmish by sidestepping to engage weaker foes and gather resources before heading back.

Gold acquired during the game can be utilized to enhance weapons, but thankfully, you won’t need to use it for necessities like ammo or health. These can still be found scattered around the map or dropped by adversaries. Melee kills also grant you ammo, promoting aggressive, close-quarters combat. Nevertheless, there were moments when I found myself desperately dodging a mini-boss while scavenging for supplies.

Mechs, Dragons, and Chaos

Doom: The Dark Ages doesn’t confine itself to ground-level demon destruction. Certain chapters allow you to pilot a massive Atlan mech to smash colossal demons or ascend into the skies on a Mecha Dragon for aerial battles.

The Mecha Dragon is agile, enabling you to circle opponents and evade attacks mid-air. The Atlan, conversely, is a massive beast, sacrificing speed for sheer strength. Taking control of it feels akin to being a gigantic toddler on a rampage—awkward, destructive, and completely guilt-free.

Interestingly, the Atlan can also crush your own comrades, whether by stepping on their tanks or collapsing bridges they are on. While this may appear counterproductive, it’s hard to feel remorse when you recall that your so-called allies are the ones keeping you in bondage as a mind-controlled killing machine.

A Fusion of Classic Action and Modern Features

While the game fulfills its promise of thrilling demon-slaying, there were instances when the rhythm lagged more than anticipated. Cutscenes and mech segments disrupt the action, and while the enhanced narrative may resonate with some, Doom has never required an intricate story to be engaging. Whether this tonal shift enriches or detracts from the overall experience is yet to be determined.

Regardless, Doom: The Dark Ages successfully finds a middle ground between nostalgia and innovation. It encapsulates the essence of what made the original games remarkable while incorporating contemporary elements like accessibility options and diverse gameplay mechanics.