Doom: The Dark Agesis making big, and some might say welcome changes to the formula set by its predecessors, with combat that’s more grounded and focused than the acrobatic battle mechanics ofDoom Eternal.
Acting as a prequelto Doom 2016, Doom: The Dark Ages is set in a techno-medieval realm, where the Doom Slayer is tasked with obliterating the forces of Hell with an array of weapons inspired by the setting.
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So far, so Doom, but what’s changed this time around? DualShockers recently took part in a preview event for Doom: The Dark Ages ahead of theXbox Developer Directand got to see just how much guts players will be ripping and tearing when the game launches on May 15.
Doom: The Dark Ages Features More Grounded Combat
One thing that the developers stressed was how different the combat is in Doom: The Dark Ages from its predecessor. Game Director Hugo Martin referred toDoom Eternal’s combatas “complicated,” which the new entry steps away from.
In Doom: The Dark Ages, players will still have massive stages to explore and secrets to unlock, but the combat itself is more grounded and less reliant on the special ability rotations of the previous game.
The Doom Slayer is taking a page out of the Dark Souls franchise this time around, as he’ll be utilizing the Shield Saw in combat. This bladed weapon can both block and slay enemies. In fact, it’s also taking a page fromthe Sekiro book, as it’s possible to parry blows, allowing for follow-up attacks with melee weapons. You’ll also be using it to explore, as its edges can tear apart the environment.
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In Doom: The Dark Ages, players will have access to an Iron Flail, an Electrified Gauntlet, and the Doom Spiked Mace. These can be used to bash enemy skulls in or as follow-ups to parry attacks, each with their own combos and upgrades.
The glory kill system has also been changed, where players can insta-kill enemies from any angle, without being dragged into the same cutscenes over and over again.
It wouldn’t be a Doom game without guns, and in The Dark Ages, the weapons will evoke the ancient aesthetic of the setting, making them seem like someone out ofthe original Quake.
Speaking of the grim world, Doom: The Dark Ages will have more story than previous entries, as the origins of the Slayer’s war with Hell are seen. This isn’t necessarily a positive, as Doom is all about the action, so hopefully it will be easy to skip the cutscenes, which was a huge issue with the 2016 revival.
Doom: The Dark Ages Brings Mechs & Dragons To The Series
One of the biggest additions to the game is the vehicles. The more impressive of the two is the Atlan, a giant mech that has its own dedicated stages, where the Doom Slayer can engage in Kaiju-style battles with colossal demons.
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The Atlan looks like it’s going to be very gimmicky, but fun in the process. The same is true of the second vehicle, the cybernetic dragon, which comes with a gatling gun and fire breath. There’s an almost Panzer Dragoon-style feeling to its stages, with the player gunning down foes from its mount.
Players Can Tailor Their Doom: The Dark Ages Experience With Difficulty Sliders
One change that might be controversial among some players is the addition of difficulty sliders. These allow for certain modifiers to be increased or reduced, such as damage, projectile speed, and enemy aggression.
Moving away from the segmented difficulty options might ruffle some feathers, but honestly, who cares? These completely optional choices are all about making the game as fun as possible for a wide audience. Eventhe original Doomhad easy modes, and this is just a finely tuned version of that system.
Doom: The Dark Ages might have a different look from its predecessors, but it feels like a natural progression that stays true to the roots of the franchise. Doom Eternal was a good game, but it didn’t feel like Doon. With The Dark Ages, grounding the combat and slowing things down is a huge step in the right direction.
The mech sections look incredible and are definitely something that’s been missing from the franchise for a long time. It’s just a shame we’re missing out on multiplayer, as was revealed by the developers, as cuts had to made to stuff as much into the single-player as possible.
The Shield Saw being such a big part of the game is another welcome addition, especially as it’s uses are tied to a single button. The game badly needed to simplify inputs after Doom Eternal, which the shield and the melee weapons seem to do.
And that sums up a lot of what Doom: The Dark Ages is about: listening to the fans. The changes to combat and difficulty feel like responses to player feedback, and that’s what could make this the best entry in the revival series to date.
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