Doom: Dark Ages Unveils Captivating Gameplay Mechanics

Doom: The Dark Ages – A Medieval Twist on Classic Gameplay

EDGE magazine recently unveiled new gameplay details for Doom: The Dark Ages, promising a significant shift in the franchise's formula. The upcoming title prioritizes narrative, boasting the largest levels in the series' history, creating a more sandbox-like experience.

Game director Hugo Martin and studio head Marty Stratton highlighted key changes:

Unlike previous entries where lore was primarily delivered through text logs, The Dark Ages will feature a more direct storytelling approach. The game's aesthetic will embrace a medieval theme, minimizing futuristic elements. Even the iconic weaponry will undergo a redesign to maintain consistency with the new setting.

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While retaining the series' signature level-based structure, Doom: The Dark Ages introduces the largest levels yet, seamlessly blending dungeon crawling with open-world exploration. The game's chapters are structured into "acts," progressing from confined dungeons to expansive environments. Adding further gameplay diversity, players will gain control of both a dragon and a mech.

A revolutionary addition to the Slayer's arsenal is a versatile shield that functions as a chainsaw. This throwable weapon interacts uniquely with different materials, including flesh, armor, and energy shields. The shield also facilitates a dash attack for rapid battlefield traversal, compensating for the absence of double jumps and roars from previous installments. Furthermore, the shield allows for parrying, with adjustable difficulty settings and precise timing requirements.

Parrying serves as a "reload" for melee attacks, while successful melee combat replenishes ammunition for ranged weapons—mirroring the chainsaw mechanic in DOOM Eternal. Melee combat options include a swift gauntlet, a balanced shield, and a heavier mace.