Doom: The Dark Ages, a prequel to the acclaimed Doom Eternal, eschews the platforming elements of its predecessor in favor of a more grounded, power-focused combat experience reminiscent of the original Doom. While the signature arsenal returns, enhanced by the skull-crushing new weapon, the focus shifts to three melee weapons: an electrified gauntlet, a flail, and the Shield Saw. Director Hugo Martin cites the original Doom, Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and Zack Snyder's 300 as key inspirations.
Combat is intensified by a revamped Glory Kill system, allowing for versatile executions from any angle. The game features large-scale combat encounters, similar to 300 and the original Doom, with levels designed for approximately one hour of gameplay each. Unlike Doom Eternal, the narrative unfolds through cutscenes, eliminating the need for Codex entries. The story promises a grand, universe-spanning adventure, escalating the Slayer's power and placing it in the crosshairs of their enemies.
Addressing criticism of Doom Eternal's complexity, The Dark Ages simplifies controls for a more intuitive experience. Melee weapons are equipped individually, streamlining gameplay. The game features a simplified economy with a single currency (gold), and secrets reward tangible skill enhancements rather than lore. Difficulty is customizable via sliders, allowing players to fine-tune aspects like game speed and enemy aggression.
Showcased in the reveal trailer, the giant Atlan mech and cybernetic dragon riding sequences are not isolated events but offer unique abilities and mini-boss encounters. Importantly, The Dark Ages will feature a single-player-only campaign, foregoing the multiplayer mode of Doom Eternal to fully concentrate development resources.
Martin's deliberate shift away from Doom Eternal's style, emphasizing a return to the core principles of the original Doom, is a key element of The Dark Ages' design. This focus on delivering a powerful, classic Doom experience is a major draw, generating significant anticipation for the May 15th release.
