Let’s be real for a second. We all thought id Software was going to keep pushing into the futuristic, neon-soaked chaos of the Eternal era forever. Then the Xbox Games Showcase 2024 trailer dropped, and suddenly, we're looking at a world that feels more like Army of Darkness met a heavy metal album cover from 1991. DOOM: The Dark Ages isn't just a sequel. It's a prequel. It’s the origin story we’ve been piecing together through cryptic lore entries for years, finally brought to life in all its grimy, lo-fi, high-tech glory.
People have questions. Is it still fast? Why does the Slayer have a cape? What’s up with the shield?
Honestly, it looks like a massive pivot in philosophy. While DOOM Eternal was basically a first-person rhythm game where you died if you stopped moving for a microsecond, The Dark Ages feels heavier. More grounded. It’s about the Slayer before he became the god-like entity that rearranged the furniture in Hell. This is the "warrior king" era.
Moving Away From the "Fun Zone" of Eternal
If you spent three hundred hours mastering the "meathook-jump-dash" combo in Eternal, you might need to relearn how to walk. Hugo Martin, the creative director at id, has been pretty vocal about the shift in gameplay. He calls it a "heavy" experience. Think of it like this: if Eternal was a Ferrari, DOOM: The Dark Ages is a monster truck with a spiked grill.
The mobility seems intentionally dialed back. No more infinite dashes or swinging from monkey bars like a caffeinated acrobat. Instead, the Slayer is a tank. You’re meant to stand your ground. This isn't just a stylistic choice; it's a mechanical overhaul that changes how you interact with the demons. You aren't just dodging projectiles; you're parrying them.
The Shield Saw is the star of the show here. It’s a literal shield with a chainsaw rim. You can block. You can throw it like Captain America if he grew up in a dungeon. You can even use it to grind enemies into red paste. This introduces a defensive layer that the previous games lacked. In DOOM (2016), you ran away to heal. In Eternal, you used the flame belch to get armor. In The Dark Ages, it looks like you’re going to use that shield to create your own breathing room.
The Arsenal: Chainsaws, Skulls, and Mechs
We saw a lot in that first trailer. Some of it was expected—the Super Shotgun is back, because obviously—but the new stuff is weird in the best way possible.
Take the "Skull Crusher" weapon. It’s a gun that literally grinds up demon skulls and spits out bone fragments like a shotgun blast. It’s gross. It’s tactile. It feels like something a medieval blacksmith would build if they had access to Hell’s energy grid.
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Then there’s the Atlan.
If you remember the massive, derelict mechs scattered across the maps in DOOM Eternal, you know exactly what this is. We finally get to pilot one. This isn't just a scripted cutscene event. It looks like a legitimate gameplay loop where you’re squaring off against kaiju-sized demons. Then there’s the dragon. Well, a "Mecha Dragon" or a "Cyborg Pterodactyl," depending on how you want to classify a flying lizard with jet engines. It suggests the scale of the environments has blown wide open. We aren't just in tight corridors anymore. We’re in battlefields.
Why the Prequel Setting Actually Matters for the Lore
A lot of fans were worried that Eternal’s DLC, The Ancient Gods, painted the series into a corner. By the end of it, the Slayer basically put himself into a coma after killing "God." Where do you go from there?
You go back.
DOOM: The Dark Ages takes us to the time of the Sentinels. This is the period when the Slayer first arrived on Argent D’Nur. He was a stranger in a strange land, a man too angry to die who was eventually taken in by a warrior race. This setting allows id Software to lean into the "dark fantasy" aesthetic. We’re seeing castles, stone arenas, and ornate armor that looks like it belongs in Warhammer 40,000.
It’s a smart move. It fills in the gaps of the "Unchained Predator" legend. We get to see the Slayer becoming the legend, rather than just being the legend. It also allows the developers to introduce enemies that feel more biological and less cybernetic. Expect more fur, more bone, and more ancient leather.
Technical Prowess: id Tech 8?
While not officially branded as "id Tech 8" in every press release, the engine powering The Dark Ages is clearly an evolution of what came before. The lighting is more atmospheric. The sheer number of enemies on screen during the battlefield shots is staggering.
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One thing id Software has always been "best in class" at is optimization. They managed to make DOOM Eternal run on a toaster (and a Nintendo Switch). For The Dark Ages, they are targeting PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. Yes, it’s coming to PS5 on day one, which was a huge relief for the PlayStation community following the Microsoft acquisition of Bethesda.
The focus here seems to be on "gore 2.0." The way enemies break apart in the trailer looks more procedural and less canned. When that shield hits a demon, it doesn't just trigger an animation; it feels like it’s interacting with the geometry of the character model.
The Sound of the Dark Ages
Mick Gordon is out. We know this. The drama surrounding the Eternal soundtrack was messy and unfortunate. But Andrew Hulshult and David Levy, the guys who stepped in for the DLC, proved they can carry the torch.
The music in the Dark Ages trailer had a different vibe. It was slower. Chuggier. It felt like "Industrial Medieval Metal." It fits the heavier movement. You don't want a high-BPM synth-track when you’re piloting a 100-foot-tall mech; you want something that feels like mountains grinding together.
What to Expect in the Coming Months
- A release date: We know it’s coming in 2025. Based on typical id Software cycles, a Spring or Summer release seems likely, though they might push for a Q4 holiday slot if the polish isn't there yet.
- Deep-dive gameplay: Expect a "slaying 101" video soon. id loves to show off their combat "chess matches."
- Betas? Probably not. DOOM has moved away from public multiplayer betas since the 2016 launch didn't land perfectly on the multiplayer front.
The shift to a projectile-heavy, slower-paced combat system is a gamble. Fans loved the speed of Eternal. But if you look at the history of the franchise, id Software never makes the same game twice. DOOM 3 was a horror game. DOOM 2016 was a power fantasy. Eternal was a tactical shooter. Now, The Dark Ages is a brawler.
It’s about the "oomph." Everything in the footage we’ve seen so far screams impact. From the way the Slayer reloads his shotgun with a heavy mechanical thud to the way he slams his shield into the ground to create a shockwave.
Actionable Steps for the Hype Train
If you’re looking to get ready for the 2025 launch, there are a few things you can actually do right now rather than just rewatching the trailer for the fiftieth time.
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Brush up on the Sentinel Lore
Go back and read the codex entries in DOOM Eternal. Specifically, look for anything mentioning the "Night Sentinels," "Argent D'Nur," and the "Civil War." The Dark Ages is going to be thick with these references. Understanding the politics of the Sentinels will make the environments in the new game much more rewarding to explore.
Play Hexen or Heretic
If you want to understand the DNA of "Medieval DOOM," you have to go back to the 90s. Heretic and Hexen were Raven Software games built on the original DOOM engine that utilized fantasy settings. You can feel their influence all over The Dark Ages. They are cheap on Steam and GOG, and they give you a great sense of where this "fantasy shooter" vibe originated.
Check your hardware
This is a current-gen exclusive. If you are still rocking an Xbox One or a PS4, you’re out of luck this time. It’s also worth noting that The Dark Ages will likely push CPU limits due to the sheer number of NPCs on screen. If you're a PC gamer, 2025 might be the year you finally need that processor upgrade.
Track the PlayStation Store/Xbox Store
You can already "wishlist" the game on most platforms. Doing this ensures you get the notification the second a concrete release date or a pre-order bonus is announced.
Keep an eye on QuakeCon
Traditionally, this is where id Software gives the "real" deep dives. If we don't see a massive 20-minute gameplay walkthrough before then, QuakeCon 2025 will be the place where the game is finally laid bare.
Ultimately, DOOM: The Dark Ages looks like a confident step in a new direction. It isn't trying to out-speed Eternal because you really can't go much faster without breaking the player's brain. Instead, it’s going wider, heavier, and more cinematic. It’s a bold move to take the fastest shooter on the market and tell the players to slow down and pick up a shield. But if anyone can make "slow" feel incredibly violent and satisfying, it’s id Software.