Mon May 12 20:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Doom: The Dark Ages – A Brutally Different Doom Experience Arrives May 15th

**Bethesda Softworks and id Software** are set to release *Doom: The Dark Ages*, a prequel to the 2016 *Doom* reboot, on May 15th for PC, PS5, and Xbox. This new entry significantly departs from its predecessors, trading the frantic speed of *Doom Eternal* for a slower, more deliberate, and brutally effective approach to combat.

Forget rapid-fire weaponry and evasive maneuvers. *The Dark Ages* emphasizes close-quarters combat and the satisfying obliteration of hordes of demons using powerful, blunt force weapons. Inspired by the original 1993 *Doom*, the game features a barrage of slow-moving projectiles from enemies, requiring players to master a new rhythm of combat and utilize a newly designed arsenal, including a rail-spike launcher and a skull-shrapnel gun. The Doom Slayer himself is reimagined as a heavier, more powerful figure, whose sheer force can trigger thunderclaps upon landing. A new shield mechanic allows for projectile deflection, stunning enemies and setting them up for brutal glory kills.

While lauded for its innovative approach and satisfying combat, *The Dark Ages* also faces criticism. The game’s 22 levels are vast and open-ended, but this scale can lead to tedious traversal. Additionally, experimental sections involving mech combat and dragon riding, while novel, feel more like obligatory diversions than meaningful additions to the gameplay.

Despite these flaws, *The Dark Ages* is considered a highly accomplished shooter with a unique take on the *Doom* formula. The game will be available for £70.

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