New Gameplay Details Revealed for Doom: The Dark Ages

In a recent interview with EDGE magazine, the developers of Doom: The Dark Ages unveiled exciting new details about the game. This iteration will prioritize narrative, boasting the largest levels in the series' history, creating a truly expansive sandbox experience.

Game director Hugo Martin and studio head Marty Stratton highlighted several key features: Unlike previous Doom games where lore was largely relegated to text logs, The Dark Ages will feature a more direct and engaging storytelling approach. The game's atmosphere will embrace a medieval aesthetic, minimizing futuristic elements and even redesigning iconic weapons to fit the new setting.

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While retaining the series' signature distinct levels, Doom: The Dark Ages will introduce the largest levels yet, seamlessly blending dungeon crawling with open-world exploration. The game's chapters are structured into "acts," progressing from confined dungeons to vast, explorable areas. Adding to the gameplay variety, players will be able to control both a dragon and a mech.

A standout addition to the Slayer's arsenal is a revolutionary shield that also functions as a chainsaw. This versatile tool can be thrown at enemies, exhibiting unique reactions depending on the target (flesh, armor, energy shields, etc.). The shield also enables a dash attack for rapid closing of distances, crucial for battlefield mobility given the absence of double jumps and roars from previous games. Furthermore, the shield allows for parrying, with adjustable difficulty settings and precise timing windows.

Parrying acts as a "reload" for melee attacks, while successful melee combat replenishes ammunition for primary weapons—a mechanic reminiscent of the chainsaw in DOOM Eternal. Melee combat options include a fast-paced gauntlet, a balanced shield, and a slower, more powerful mace.