{"id":911,"date":"2025-03-31T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-31T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/?p=911"},"modified":"2025-04-03T21:56:20","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T21:56:20","slug":"doom-the-dark-ages-going-hands-on-with-story-sandboxes-mechs-and-dragons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/31\/doom-the-dark-ages-going-hands-on-with-story-sandboxes-mechs-and-dragons\/","title":{"rendered":"DOOM: The Dark Ages \u2013 Going Hands-on with Story, Sandboxes, Mechs, and Dragons"},"content":{"rendered":"<article id=\"single-207725\" class=\"mssrc-features font--sans has-light-theme has--branding\" data-clarity-region=\"article\">\n<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n<header class=\"xwsrc-block-post-header is-style-fifty-fifty has-high-density has-text-align-left\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-50\">\n<div class=\"post-header__content has-text-align-left\">\n<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n<li class=\"post-tags__item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/games\/\" class=\"kicker post__meta--category\"><span class=\"sr-only\">Category: <\/span>Games<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/2025\/03\/\" class=\"kicker\">March 31, 2025<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<h1 class=\"h2\">DOOM: The Dark Ages \u2013 Going Hands-on with Story, Sandboxes, Mechs, and Dragons<\/h1>\n<div class=\"post-header__author post-header__author--line\">\n<div class=\"post-header__author__bylines\">\n<ul class=\"post-header__author__list\">\n<li class=\"post-header__author__list__item\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bb5c9a891d1d92e6330f649048c1d27b\" class=\"avatar avatar-144 photo\" height=\"144\" width=\"144\" \/><span class=\"post-header__author__name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/author\/joeskrebels\/\">Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-50\">\n<div class=\"post-header__image\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/2025\/03\/31\/doom-the-dark-ages-preview-story-sandbox-mech-dragon\/\" class=\"featured-image size-large default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/DOOM-TheDarkAges_Standard_1920x1080-a2a0bdc5b6a0a045e7f4-1024x576-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Doom: The Dark Ages Hero Image\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"post__content\">\n<section class=\"xwsrc-block-content-block\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-50 push--25 column--content\">\n<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n<p>As the third part of what you might call a trilogy, I went into my first hands-on for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xbox.com\/en-US\/games\/store\/doom-the-dark-ages-premium-edition\/9NK3S5DT79LT\/0017\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>DOOM: The Dark Ages<\/em><\/a> with some expectations. While they have their differences, <em>DOOM (2016) and DOOM: Eternal<\/em> had lain the groundwork \u2013 I felt like I knew what id Software had in store for me, even if this prequel story and its new medieval sci-fi aesthetic might put it in a different context.<\/p>\n<p>Three hours later, my expectations had been blasted to pieces like so much Arachnotron meat.<\/p>\n<p><em>DOOM: The Dark Ages <\/em>retains the core hallmarks of id\u2019s recent games \u2013 pulse-pounding combat, gloriously Grand Guignol aesthetics, and music as ear-rattling as its guns \u2013 but it pushes the <em>structure <\/em>of DOOM far beyond what we\u2019ve known before.<\/p>\n<p>I was able to play slices of four distinct sections of <em>The Dark Ages<\/em>, each designed to show me a different facet of the game, and each revealing quite how wild<em> <\/em>this<em> <\/em>will get. Let me walk you through each one.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Story Mission<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>.post-template-default .xwsrc-block-content-block .wp-block-column.flex-basis-50.push&#8211;25.column&#8211;content {<br \/>\n\tflex: 100%;<br \/>\n\tmargin-left: 0;<br \/>\n}<\/p>\n<section class=\"xwsrc-block-content-image\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\n\t\t is-centered\"><\/p>\n<aside class=\"wp-block-column column--image flex-basis-100 aligncenter\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Story-Mission-54e3184dd966f2972ca2-1900x1080-1.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/aside>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-50 push--25 column--content has-text-align-left\">\n<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n<p>\u201cBefore he became a hero, he was the super weapon of gods and kings.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>So reads the text slate that opens <em>DOOM: The Dark Ages<\/em>. It\u2019s an absurdly badass mission statement for the game that follows. But, playing just the opening stretch of the game, it pays off multiple times.<\/p>\n<p>This section showed off the most familiar form of DOOM. A cutscene (yes, there are cutscenes for the story now, not just codex entries) introduces the demon-beleaguered planet of Argent D\u2019Nur, the questionably benevolent god-race known as the Makyrs, and our familiar lead character kept captive to be unleashed on hellish threats. And from there, I\u2019m handed a shotgun and a shield, and told to do what a DOOM Slayer does best.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll feel right at home with this, until you don\u2019t. Levels remain tightly knotted, oscillating from cramped corridors to wide-open arenas built for athletic combat. Your guns sre, of course, hideously powerful and there\u2019s still a focus on attack being the best form of defence, with specific moves rewarding health and ammo, forcing you to fight to survive.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"xwsrc-block-content-quote\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<aside class=\"wp-block-column column--quote pullquote flex-basis-25\">\n<div class=\"is-style-left\">\n<blockquote>\n<p>Some fights effectively rely on a rhythm of parries and attacks, turning a fight with a Cyberdemon into a close-range slugfest \u2013 it feels <em>magnificent<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column column--content flex-basis-50\">\n<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n<p>But begin digging deeper, and you\u2019ll see how things have changed. That shield is the most evident example \u2013 enemy projectiles are now plentiful, forcing you to block as much as dodge. But don\u2019t think this is a more static game as a result \u2013 blocking also opens up the ability to shield charge enemies, closing gaps and dealing huge area-of-effect damage. <\/p>\n<p>Parrying is even better \u2013 certain enemy attacks are marked with green effects, and blocking within a parry window can stun enemies, shatter their defences, and earn more charges for your devastating melee attacks. Some fights effectively rely on a rhythm of parries and attacks, turning a fight with a Cyberdemon into a close-range slugfest \u2013 it feels <em>magnificent<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Soon, I\u2019m given even more utility in the form of the Shield Saw \u2013 my shield can now be thrown like I\u2019m some horrifically violent Captain America, bisecting weak enemies and stunning larger ones. It can also be used to solve puzzles, opening up DOOM\u2019s classic secret areas.<\/p>\n<p>And if all of this didn\u2019t feel fresh enough, I\u2019m then introduced to a full upgrade system. This is less about old-school RPG stat-buffing, and more about giving you extra options to take on the forces of hell. For example, I add the ability for my Shredder (a fully automatic gun that fires rail spikes) to embed its ammo in enemies, and then detonate them when I throw my Shield Saw into the target, building new abilities not just into my gun, but across my moveset. Every single weapon, both ranged and melee, has an upgrade tree \u2013 I want to see how gross these can get.<\/p>\n<p>Taken all together, you can see how <em>The Dark Ages<\/em> lives up to the idea that you\u2019re playing as a super weapon. This is pure power fantasy, placing you in the big, green boots of a one-man army who\u2019s going to war with <em>everything<\/em>. And that\u2019s before your super weapon gets into, well, an even bigger super weapon.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Mech Mission<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"xwsrc-block-content-image\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\n\t\t is-centered\"><\/p>\n<aside class=\"wp-block-column column--image flex-basis-100 aligncenter\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Mech-Mission-681f1e8f9609c4b049c0-1900x1080-1.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/aside>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-50 push--25 column--content has-text-align-left\">\n<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n<p>If you\u2019ve watched the trailers for <em>The Dark Ages<\/em>, then you know you\u2019ll be getting a mech along the way. The Atlan, as it&#8217;s known, allows you to take an earthquaking step into the battlefield to take on Hell\u2019s biggest threats \u2013 and in practice, it\u2019s a way of transforming the on-foot experience into something new.<\/p>\n<p>As you might expect, this is a slower, but stronger approach to DOOM combat. Your Atlan trades mostly in melee \u2013 basic attacks involve throwing punches at titanic demons, building up a combo meter that can be traded in for one of two special moves, a stunning stomp, or a knockout blow.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll need to balance those combos with dodges \u2013 taking one hit from an enemy sets your combo meter back to zero so, with a rhythm familiar from the parry system, you\u2019ll need to avoid what you can to keep the punishment coming.<\/p>\n<p>And, just as I was getting used to all this, an orbital drop delivered me a set of Empire State Building-sized miniguns, to add some truly berserk flair to the end of the level. It\u2019s ludicrous, in the best possible way. Think of the mech as a side dish to <em>The Dark Ages<\/em>\u2019 main meal \u2013 it\u2019s a complement to the regular on-foot combat, mixing things up while feeling similar enough not to feel out of place.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Dragon Mission<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"xwsrc-block-content-image\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\n\t\t is-centered\"><\/p>\n<aside class=\"wp-block-column column--image flex-basis-100 aligncenter\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Dragon-Mission-8164dfd5d1afd57a796b-1900x1080-1.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/aside>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-50 push--25 column--content has-text-align-left\">\n<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n<p>Here\u2019s where things took an even less expected turn. My next mission involved me summoning a cybernetic dragon, hopping into a saddle equipped with heavy ordnance, and taking to the skies. In this section of the game, I\u2019m defending a flying city under attack from a demon fleet, with the goal of taking down four separate Hell Carrier ships.<\/p>\n<p>Your dragon is a free-flying beast, equipped with dodges and afterburners, able to maneuver through the skies however you see fit. Like, the mech, it\u2019s strong enough to take on titans \u2013 but how you do it is quite different. After locking onto an enemy, you can strafe around them. Your basic attacks do a small amount of damage, but each successful dodge supercharges your guns, letting you stun your prey, before sending your dragon to perform a gruesome finisher.<\/p>\n<p>Initially, it feels like this is another Atlan-like diversion, a way of providing a different <em>kind<\/em> of combat \u2013 but when it comes to the flagships themselves, it goes further.<\/p>\n<p>Each ship needs to be taken down in a specific way \u2013 first you take out its various gun batteries, and subsequently its shield generator with your dragon\u2019s moveset. This then opens up a landing spot. With a click of the right stick, your dragon lands, the Slayer hops off, and you realize that each ship is a miniature level to progress through on foot. You barrage through the innards of the ship, eliminating the demons inside, before reaching its engine. Shield charging the engine destroys the ship, and sees you skydiving through an explosion and back onto your dragon to repeat the feat.<\/p>\n<p>This mix of flying and on-foot gameplay feels incredible \u2013 and each new ship changes the make-up enough that it doesn\u2019t fall into a predictable pattern. I\u2019d call this the most revolutionary change to DOOM\u2019s make-up, if it wasn\u2019t for the next section.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sandbox Mission<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"xwsrc-block-content-image\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\n\t\t is-centered\"><\/p>\n<aside class=\"wp-block-column column--image flex-basis-100 aligncenter\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Sandbox-Mission-799c372a88a875d0d9fd-1900x1080-1.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/aside>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-50 push--25 column--content has-text-align-left\">\n<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n<p>This is where <em>The Dark Ages<\/em> truly breaks free from expectation. In my final (and longest) section of the demo, I\u2019m placed into id\u2019s take on a sandbox open zone and told to approach it however I\u2019d like. My solitary goal is to close five demon-spewing portals, but how I do it, and what diversions I take, are entirely up to me. Over the course of an hour, I\u2019m repeatedly reminded that I\u2019ve never played a DOOM game like this before.<\/p>\n<p>As you\u2019d hope for, this sandbox sequence is stacked with optional goals \u2013 heavily protected artillery batteries to take out, caches of gold to spend on upgrades, and more. At one point, I\u2019m simply running somewhere, when a cathedral-sized tentacle bursts out of the ground and begins to attack \u2013 this isn\u2019t a scripted moment, or even an objective I\u2019m given, it\u2019s just another surprise hidden along the way.<\/p>\n<p>But the core objectives themselves hold surprises, too. In that first story mission, closing portals was simply a case of clearing an arena, but it\u2019s never quite the same in this case. Some portals transport me to a dungeon, requiring me to solve puzzles in order to find my way to the energy source powering them. Others introduce Leader enemies \u2013 overpowered beasts who are invulnerable to my attacks until I kill enough of their followers, and come with permanent upgrades after your victory. Along the way, I find new guns, augmenting my armory with new options. It\u2019s restlessly, relentlessly inventive, as if id has been waiting for an opportunity to transplant new ideas into the DOOM format.<\/p>\n<p>And that\u2019s the key takeaway from my full session with <em>DOOM:<\/em> <em>The Dark Ages<\/em> \u2013 this feels like a developer brimming with enthusiasm, not just for DOOM itself, but for what DOOM could <em>be<\/em>. I was expecting a new story, new guns, and new demons \u2013 I wasn\u2019t expecting new genres. I cannot wait to find out what else this team has in store.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.xbox.com\/en-US\/games\/store\/doom-the-dark-ages-premium-edition\/9NK3S5DT79LT\/0017\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DOOM: The Dark Ages<\/a><\/strong> launches for Xbox Series X|S, PC (via the Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, and Battle.net), PlayStation 5, and cloud on May 15, 2025. It will be available day one with Game Pass.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"xwsrc-block-content-block\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-50 push--25 column--content\">\n<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n<div id=\"msp1743409299083\" class=\"\">\n<div class=\"ms-product-badge mspb-large\" data-product-id=\"9NK3S5DT79LT\">\n<div class=\"mspb-primary-image\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/store\/apps\/9NK3S5DT79LT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<img src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/apps.3479.13668796464163606.3af4acc7-91ef-4e2c-a1c9-55057e878817.c209b5d8-3e19-4e5e-9ffb-f362ced452cb\" alt=\"DOOM: The Dark Ages Premium Edition\" class=\"skip-lazy\" \/><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"mspb-details\">\n<h2>DOOM: The Dark Ages Premium Edition<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mspb-secondary-details\">\n<div class=\"mspb-left-container\">\n<p>Bethesda Softworks<\/p>\n<div class=\"mspb-rating\">\n<div>\n\t\t\t<span>\u2606<\/span><span>\u2606<\/span><span>\u2606<\/span><span>\u2606<\/span><span>\u2606<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"mspb-total-ratings\">7<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"mspb-full-stars\" style=\"width: 75px\">\n\t\t\t<span>\u2605<\/span><span>\u2605<\/span><span>\u2605<\/span><span>\u2605<\/span><span>\u2605<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mspb-price\">\n\t\t\t\t<span>$99.99<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"mspb-buttons\">\n\t<a class=\"mspb-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/store\/apps\/9NK3S5DT79LT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pre-order<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mspb-right-container\">\n<div class=\"mspb-description\">\n\t\tGet a head start on slaying demons with the Premium Edition, including up to 2-Day Early Access* and the campaign DLC**. You\u2019ll also receive the Digital Artbook and Soundtrack, and the Divinity Skin Pack, which includes matching skins for the DOOM Slayer, dragon and Atlan. <\/p>\n<p>INCLUDES:  <\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Base Game (digital code)<br \/>\n&#8211; Up to 2-Day Early Access<br \/>\n&#8211; Campaign DLC<br \/>\n&#8211; Digital Artbook and Soundtrack<br \/>\n&#8211; Divinity Skin Pack<\/p>\n<p>*Actual play time depends on purchase date and applicable time zone differences, subject to possible outages. <\/p>\n<p>**DLC availability to be provided at a later date.<\/p>\n<p>BECOME THE SLAYER IN A MEDIEVAL WAR AGAINST HELL<br \/>\nDOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells an epic cinematic story worthy of the DOOM Slayer\u2019s legend. In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell. <\/p>\n<p>DOOM: The Dark Ages is a dark fantasy\/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. <\/p>\n<p>STAND AND FIGHT<br \/>\nAs the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw. Players will stand and fight on the demon-infested battlefields in the vicious, grounded combat the original DOOM is famous for. Take flight atop the new fierce Mecha Dragon, stand tall in a massive Atlan mech, and beat demons to a pulp with the newly enhanced glory kill system. Only the Slayer has the power to wield these devastating tools of mayhem.<\/p>\n<p>REIGN IN HELL<br \/>\nBound to serve as the super weapon of gods and kings, the DOOM Slayer fends off demon hordes as their leader seeks to destroy the Slayer and become the only one that is feared. Witness the creation of a legend as the Slayer takes on all of Hell and turns the tide of the war. <\/p>\n<p>DISCOVER UNKNOWN REALMS<br \/>\nIn his quest to crush the legions of Hell, the Slayer must take the fight to never-before-seen realms. Mystery, challenges, and rewards lurk in every shadow of ruined castles, epic battlefields, dark forests, ancient hellscapes, and worlds beyond. Armed with the viciously powerful Shield Saw, cut through a dark world of menace and secrets in id&#039;s largest and most expansive levels to date.\t<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"msp1743409299083\" class=\"\">\n<div class=\"ms-product-badge mspb-large\" data-product-id=\"9NN2BX6QXFZH\">\n<div class=\"mspb-primary-image\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/store\/apps\/9NN2BX6QXFZH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<img src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/apps.47432.13751499299080078.e33ae2a0-24fc-4166-b258-20c32ba28e4b.38dbf144-e278-4776-b1bb-33477c8bb5f9\" alt=\"DOOM: The Dark Ages Standard Edition\" class=\"skip-lazy\" \/><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"mspb-details\">\n<h2>DOOM: The Dark Ages Standard Edition<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mspb-secondary-details\">\n<div class=\"mspb-left-container\">\n<p>Bethesda Softworks<\/p>\n<div class=\"mspb-rating\">\n<div>\n\t\t\t<span>\u2606<\/span><span>\u2606<\/span><span>\u2606<\/span><span>\u2606<\/span><span>\u2606<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"mspb-total-ratings\">87<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"mspb-full-stars\" style=\"width: 73.5px\">\n\t\t\t<span>\u2605<\/span><span>\u2605<\/span><span>\u2605<\/span><span>\u2605<\/span><span>\u2605<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mspb-price\">\n\t\t\t\t<span>$69.99<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"mspb-buttons\">\n\t<a class=\"mspb-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/store\/apps\/9NN2BX6QXFZH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pre-order<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mspb-right-container\">\n<div class=\"mspb-description\">\n\t\tBECOME THE SLAYER IN A MEDIEVAL WAR AGAINST HELL<br \/>\nDOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells an epic cinematic story worthy of the DOOM Slayer\u2019s legend. In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell. <\/p>\n<p>DOOM: The Dark Ages is a dark fantasy\/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine.<\/p>\n<p>STAND AND FIGHT<br \/>\nAs the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw. Players will stand and fight on the demon-infested battlefields in the vicious, grounded combat the original DOOM is famous for. Take flight atop the new fierce Mecha Dragon, stand tall in a massive Atlan mech, and beat demons to a pulp with the newly enhanced glory kill system. Only the Slayer has the power to wield these devastating tools of mayhem.<\/p>\n<p>REIGN IN HELL<br \/>\nBound to serve as the super weapon of gods and kings, the DOOM Slayer fends off demon hordes as their leader seeks to destroy the Slayer and become the only one that is feared. Witness the creation of a legend as the Slayer takes on all of Hell and turns the tide of the war. <\/p>\n<p>DISCOVER UNKNOWN REALMS<br \/>\nIn his quest to crush the legions of Hell, the Slayer must take the fight to never-before-seen realms. Mystery, challenges, and rewards lurk in every shadow of ruined castles, epic battlefields, dark forests, ancient hellscapes, and worlds beyond. Armed with the viciously powerful Shield Saw, cut through a dark world of menace and secrets in id&#039;s largest and most expansive levels to date.\t<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>.post-template-default .xwsrc-block-content-block .wp-block-column.flex-basis-50.push&#8211;25.column&#8211;content {<br \/>\n\tflex: 100%;<br \/>\n\tmargin-left: 0;<br \/>\n}<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside aria-labelledby=\"related-stories--207725__title\" id=\"related-stories--207725\" class=\"curated-content-panel\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-border--top\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-30\">\n<h2 id=\"related-stories--207725__title\">\n                        Related Stories <span class=\"sr-only\"> for &#8220;DOOM: The Dark Ages \u2013 Going Hands-on with Story, Sandboxes, Mechs, and Dragons&#8221;<\/span><br \/>\n                    <\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp=block-column flex-basis-70\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<article class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-33\">\n                                                <a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/2025\/04\/03\/south-of-midnight-tips-guide\/\" class=\"featured-image size-full-size default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hero-ae7cc076b9aeea359adc.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full-size size-full-size wp-post-image\" alt=\"South of Midnight Hero Image\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n<li class=\"post-tags__item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/games\/\" class=\"kicker post__meta--category\"><span class=\"sr-only\">Category: <\/span>Games<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"h3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/2025\/04\/03\/south-of-midnight-tips-guide\/\">South of Midnight: 6 Tips to Help You Thrive in This Dark, Fantastical World<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-33\">\n                                                <a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/2025\/04\/03\/free-play-days-04-03-2025\/\" class=\"featured-image size-full-size default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FreePlayDays_04-03-2025_1920x1080_4shot-47c56dc77e5d70fff37a.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full-size size-full-size wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n<li class=\"post-tags__item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/games\/\" class=\"kicker post__meta--category\"><span class=\"sr-only\">Category: <\/span>Games<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"h3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/2025\/04\/03\/free-play-days-04-03-2025\/\">Free Play Days \u2013 Age of Wonders 4, Dead by Daylight, Catan and Everspace 2\u00a0<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"wp-block-column flex-basis-33\">\n                                                <a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/2025\/04\/03\/grand-theft-auto-v-game-pass-gtav-enhanced-april-15\/\" class=\"featured-image size-full-size default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/TitledHeroArt_1920x1080_XGP_Bug-4424160952f358769301.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full-size size-full-size wp-post-image\" alt=\"GTA V Game Pass Hero Image\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n<li class=\"post-tags__item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/xbox-game-pass\/\" class=\"kicker post__meta--category\"><span class=\"sr-only\">Category: <\/span>Xbox Game Pass<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"h3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/2025\/04\/03\/grand-theft-auto-v-game-pass-gtav-enhanced-april-15\/\">Grand Theft Auto V Coming to Game Pass and PC Game Pass on April 15<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/article><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/article>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/2025\/03\/31\/doom-the-dark-ages-preview-story-sandbox-mech-dragon\/\">DOOM: The Dark Ages \u2013 Going Hands-on with Story, Sandboxes, Mechs, and Dragons<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\">Xbox Wire<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Category: Games March 31, 2025 DOOM: The Dark Ages \u2013 Going Hands-on with Story, Sandboxes, Mechs, and Dragons Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief As the third part of what you might call a trilogy, I went into my first hands-on for DOOM: The Dark Ages with some expectations. While they have their differences, DOOM (2016) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":504,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[8],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/911"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=911"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/911\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":920,"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/911\/revisions\/920"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/504"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.philfiddyment.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}