Doom The Dark Ages – New Info Previewed at 2024 QuakeCon

At QuakeCon 2024, there was news aplenty regarding the hotly anticipated announcement of Doom: The Dark Ages – a new chapter in the iconic Doom series. Knoebel, at the event, provided those details on Twitter.

Although Bethesda, the publisher of Fallout 4 showed a video presentation footage during the convention they have not made it available for all. Even though attendees were not allowed to record and/or share the video offline, secondhand details are beginning to surface which gives clues as to what players can expect.

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Familiar Elements with the New Twist

HUD and Game Mechanics

Avid players will notice among the first things that Doom: The Dark Ages is still sporting the HUD (Heads-Up Display) of sorts from DOOM Eternal. Players can transfer in a built-in way to the new game, with this well-known interface. However, unlike the previous title this was more in keeping with regions of greater depth and open-go stuff allows gamers to explore a bit further.

More specifically, the game leans harder into Environmental Storytelling letting players find themselves engulfed in a thick narrative without hardly ever using traditional cutscenes. While the vertical movement mechanics from Doom Eternal aren’t coming back, medieval Warrior King Slayer has more Fallout 4 or Fallout 76-esque jump tool time antics to draw on now. The switch falls in line with the medieval armor and setting of our unnamed hero – a time when you could not exactly fly all over Kingdom Come.

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Revamped Glory Kills

Doom: The Dark Ages also remakes the iconic Glory Kills feature from Doom. In past entries, players could kill enemies from a number of directions with the animations changing depending on the attack direction. The pink and purple highlight will pop up above certain enemies, letting you know that the enemy can be slain back to Hell using a Glory Kill in this iteration of The Art Of DOOM. Now different limbs or using a weapon makes fools and is confirmed through dedicated combat actions.

Medieval Arsenal and New Weapons

Unique Melee Weapons

Doom: The Dark Ages adds a selection of savage melee weapons inspired by the Middle Ages and boasting their own respective mechanics. The flail allows players to collect ammo from dead enemies which is beneficial during fights as it conserves resources. There’s a new arm that looks like, well,a fist and it zaps chains of electricity from enemy to enemy. The mace for instance is also capable of performing like estoc in a situation where an armoured foe is inside your range.

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A lot of Different Guns

Similarly, players will also get to take advantage of a variety of firearms (both old and new), in addition to their trusty medieval weapons. The game brings a double-barrel plasma gun (a twin mode of sorts reminiscent of the classic Doom 1990s doomstyle) that makes use of having both barrels joined by some kind of metal. Capable of firing two simultaneous shots, this weapon packs a huge punch against enemies. Those interested in something a bit more traditional can give the single-barrel shotgun a whirl.

There are alternative options if you want to play with a different weapon, like the saw shield which doubles as both an offense and mobility tool. They can ride the saw shield swiftly through the level or toss it at the enemy to deal a massive amount of damage. And can now be ripped in half when switching to a full-on attack mode, not unlike the closing build of Army of Darkness.

Reflecting Enemey Projectiles

Players can reflect green projectiles from enemies through a new gameplay mechanic. While this ability is not fully understood, laser cube makes way for a greater strategic layer to the combat system equaling time and accuracy as one false move can cost you.

Balanced Weapon Mechanics

Nail Gun and Gameplay Synergy:

The nail gun and other guns definitely got reworked to fit in well with the game, as was demonstrated during a preview. This helps keep even the most eclectic weapons in check and working properly to create an enjoyable gameplay experience.

Mounts and Vehicles

Riding Dragons and Mechs

Doom: The Dark Ages is the mods of gameplay as it adds mounts and vehicles. There is also a dragon and mech called the Altan for players to ride throughout various instances as well. While some of the sequences add extra pizzazz and flavor, they are not intended to take over the gameplay — a traditional open-world experience is simply ill-suited for Doom.

Altan has his own set of capabilities and limitations

He also has fists and a double cannon with which to facilitate glory kills, so combat sounds pretty sweet. The HUD appears in the corner of your eye, essentially presenting players with something a little more familiar while they are inside this mech. While this does make the Altan more challenging to use over time thanks it shedding armor as it takes damage, its adds a degree of strategy to mech-to-mech combat.

Enemies and Challenges

New and Modified Foes

Along with all the unique enemies, Doom: The Dark Ages offers a wide range of classic monsters and also some new creatures. A creature called “a weird octobrain that shoots blue energy projectiles” is also part of the new breed. There’s also “a giant four-legged cyber demon,” reimagining one more enemy class.

Redesigned Arachnotrons

Doom: The Dark Ages is also showing off Arachnotrons that have had a slight makeover. Another new look for these enemies, more twisted and giving even richer visual variety. You’ll have to adjust your strategy in dealing with these retooled foes.

Environmental and Narrative Improvements

Expansive Open Areas

The biggest thing that Doom: The Dark Ages got to follow up was its bigger, grander levels. Whilst in previous titles there was a lot of running down what were essentially linear corridors, this game provides larger play areas for you to explore and take control of. It adds to a more immersive and less restricting experience as players move throughout the medieval terrain.

Environmental Storytelling

Like previous Doom games, we’ve worked hard to push the limit of environmental storytelling in The Dark Ages. The players will discover the story by exploring and interacting with their environment, leading to a more captivating, immersive experience. That approach allows for a story to emerge naturally from the game world, rather than being shoved in via cutscene and five minutes of exposition.

Conclusion:

Excitement Growing for Doom Age of Darkness

While fans of Doom wait with bated breath for the upcoming release of DOOM: The Dark Ages, here is a teaser into what could be an exciting extension to new-age additions in the franchise. Aziegbemhin Ideal writes — The Matrix Awakens features elements of the familiar as well an innovations that should bring forth an unprecedented experience for longtime players and new-comers alike.

Release Information

Doom: The Dark Ages is expected to launch in 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. With that anticipation, players will finally be able to jump into the world of a Medieval Sword Smasher and battle challenging enemies throughout an enthralling story.

Looking Forward

Doom: The Dark Ages aims to be a major feature of this one with its blend of traditional Doom and newer ideas. The fact that the game is doing so well in terms of quality and playability, it will find itself a home with players very quickly as long they want to keep riding on the legacy wave that Doom has brought. And anticipation for Doom: The Dark Ages, an occasion where the fans are preparing themselves is only amplifying as gamers look forward to a new unparalleled experience set in the medieval world of doom.