Why DOOM: The Dark Ages Will be the Best DOOM Ever

You wouldn’t normally connect the word “big” with the experience of playing Doom, but it is certainly replayable, filled with secrets, and requires a lot of “rip and tear”. Classics like Doom, Doom 2, and even Doom 64 are well-balanced, brutal journeys. Even DOOM (2016) offers an engaging story that can be completed within just a couple of nights, making it an easily digestible demonic destruction adventure.

In DOOM Eternal, the duration for completing an average stage or encounter significantly varied based on your proficiency with the mechanics and familiarity with the locations. While a higher skill ceiling is common, id Software took it a step further by filling the game with as much lore and world-building as possible.

2016’s version of the Slayer’s Testaments was enough for a casual understanding, but Eternal insisted on a deeper comprehension of the seriousness and significance of the conflict and its participants. To put it simply, there’s a lot more to the DOOM universe than just the excessive slaughter of demons.

The two components of its DLC are essentially standalone games in terms of their richness and intricacy; collectively, they form one of the most extensive first-person shooter storylines ever. Typically, HowLongToBeat suggests that completing the main narrative of Eternal and its DLC could require approximately 24 hours. For those who seek to uncover every detail (and there’s a lot to find), the estimated playtime can extend up to 41 hours.

What’s the significance of all this? Well, it’s important to note that the upcoming game, “DOOM: The Dark Ages,” could potentially be one of the largest, if not the best, DOOM games ever made. Its impact is clearly substantial.

Initially, we delve into the background. The narrative in “The Dark Ages” focuses on a crucial aspect of the Slayer’s saga – events prior to those depicted in “DOOM (2016)”. Although id Software hasn’t confirmed every minute detail – such as the Slayer Marine’s arrival at Argent D’nur, his alliance with the Night Sentinels, and ultimately transforming into a terror for demons – it assures us that fans will observe the Slayer’s genesis and potentially shift the course of the war.

Compared to the smaller-scale fights in DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, the battles depicted in Argent D’nur are vast, intense wars where Sentinels clash with legions of demons. The Slayer isn’t transforming into a warzone like Battlefield, but it’s important to note that these conflicts are significantly larger in both scope and significance. You’re wielding a powerful instrument of war, engaged in the same battle, which implies levels of destruction.

Previously, we’ve established that the new dragon mount and Atlan mech, confirmed by id, are not just temporary control items, but have their own unique mechanics. It appears that aerial combat against malevolent forces and disembarking to clear enemies before re-entering combat will be common. In terms of the Atlan, you’ll engage in epic battles with colossal demons, reminiscent of kaiju encounters, which surpass any scale seen so far. If you’re a fan of shows like Pacific Rim, Power Rangers, or SHOGO: Mobile Armor Division (RIP, Monolith), this feature could justify the cost of admission on its own.

However, that’s just a glimpse of what’s to come. While familiar weapons such as the Shotgun and Super Shotgun make a return in their classic form, almost every other aspect has undergone a complete overhaul. On top of that, there are innovative new additions like the Skull Crusher, a weapon that utilizes skulls as ammo. By grinding these skulls into shards, it allows you to launch them at enemies, dealing devastating damage in close combat.

In the meantime, Railspike caters to Half-Life enthusiasts yearning for the crossbow’s return, enabling them to immobilize foes against walls and even double as an unusual interior accessory in Hell. Additionally, there are novel melee options such as the flail, mace, gauntlet, and Shield Saw, which not only serve for close combat but also can be hurled at enemies like a whirling buzzsaw when used defensively.

In contrast to the acrobatics in DOOM Eternal that provided enjoyable moments, The Dark Ages is designing a Slayer that is tougher and grittier. This new Slayer is more grounded and powerful, reminiscent of a tank, with Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight serving as inspiration. However, it also takes us back to the roots of classic Doom with its boots-on-the-ground gameplay. Expect the action to be intensely furious, with an abundance of demons to fight, more than ever before.

In summary, id Software is emphasizing that this upcoming campaign will be their largest to date, with Director Hugo Martin describing it as “very extensive” and “quite long.” He suggests that players who enjoy uncovering secrets and are completists will find a significantly larger experience. Additionally, the levels themselves are said to be the “largest spaces” they’ve ever created.

Instead, they’ll aim to keep meetings concise, considering an hour as the ideal duration to avoid prolonging their visit. Although it’s not necessary to explore every nook and cranny, this campaign promises a wealth of diverse experiences. Martin gave EDGE an illustration of how gameplay could commence in a “space resembling a dungeon” that would transform into a more expansive section during the latter half of the level.

In addition to solidifying the agreement, the omission of multiplayer mode in

Dropping multiplayer gameplay allows the studio to concentrate on exciting elements such as the dragon mount and Atlan mech, which, in my opinion, make for quite appealing trade-offs given what we’ve witnessed so far.

What really seals the deal for me is that id Software recognizes that bigger isn’t always better. They aren’t aiming to construct sprawling, labyrinthine levels merely to prolong the campaign or cram in as much content to justify the $70 price tag. Instead, they are prioritizing pacing, quality, narrative development (given its significance in this crucial phase of the Slayer’s journey) – all to deliver an exceptional gaming experience for fans.

On May 15th, DOOM: The Dark Ages will be released on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, including Game Pass. Reflecting on the series’ evolution, it’s clear that this latest installment represents a pinnacle of its growth in terms of scale, visual quality, and the abundance of secrets and diverse demons to vanquish. It seems to encapsulate the best aspects of both past and present, but takes those elements to new heights, inviting players to delve into its profound depths.

Please be aware that the opinions presented in this piece are solely those of the writer and may not align with the overall stance of GamingBolt as a platform. The author’s views should not be attributed to or associated with GamingBolt as an entity.

2025-04-01 16:11

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