DOOM: The Dark Ages

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a first-person shooter developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks. Released on May 15, 2025, it is a prequel to DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, placing the Slayer in a medieval-inspired war against Hell before the events of those games. Its setting combines castles, fortifications, and armies with the series’ science-fiction technology and demonic imagery.

The story follows the Slayer as he fights for the people of Argent D’Nur, a world threatened by demonic forces. He is bound to the Maykrs’ authority through the divinity machine, a connection that helps explain his origins and the circumstances behind his earlier history. The conflict centers on a demonic invasion and the pursuit of a powerful force that could help Hell conquer worlds. Returning characters include the Maykr leader, the Khan Maykr, and the demon commander known as the Prince of Hell.

The game changes the combat emphasis of its predecessors. Instead of relying primarily on fast aerial movement, it puts more weight on holding ground, blocking attacks, and countering at close range. The Slayer carries a shield saw that can deflect incoming blows, parry attacks, and be thrown into enemies. New weapons include the Shield Saw’s associated melee options, such as the flail and the gauntlet, while familiar firearms return in redesigned forms. The Super Shotgun remains part of the arsenal, alongside weapons such as the Pulverizer, which fires metal shards.

Combat arenas encourage players to read enemy attacks and respond with well-timed blocks. Green flashes indicate attacks that can be parried, and successful parries can create openings for counterattacks. The shield can also be used for movement and traversal, allowing the Slayer to cross gaps or break through certain obstacles. This defensive mechanic does not make the game passive: enemies press forward, and the player is expected to meet them at close range.

Large-scale encounters are another distinguishing feature. The Slayer can pilot the Atlan, a towering mech used to fight enormous demons, and ride a cybernetic dragon through aerial sections. These sequences expand the scale of the campaign beyond conventional gunfights while remaining part of its combat-focused structure. The campaign is designed for single-player play, with difficulty settings and optional exploration that reward searching levels for secrets and upgrades.

DOOM: The Dark Ages uses id Tech 8 and was released for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. It is also available through Xbox Game Pass. Its medieval visual language is not a departure from the series’ premise so much as a different period in the Slayer’s war: shields and castles share space with advanced machinery, and Hell remains the enemy at the center of the story.