As I dove into The Dark Ages, I found myself pleasantly surprised by its bold divergence from the norm. The final and lengthiest part of the demo thrust me into a fresh, open-world setup crafted by id, where I had the freedom to explore and interact with the environment as I wished. The main goal was straightforward—shut down five demon portals. How I got there? That was entirely up to me. It was an exhilarating experience, revealing a DOOM experience unlike any other I’d encountered.
The adventure was peppered with intriguing side challenges. I stumbled upon heavily guarded artillery stations, caches brimming with gold for invaluable upgrades, and unexpected threats. One adrenaline-pumping moment saw a massive tentacle erupt from the ground, launching an unscripted attack—a thrilling surprise nestled within my path.
Even the primary tasks came packed with unexpected twists. Initially, closing portals meant dealing with hordes in an arena. However, this time around, each portal demanded unique strategies. Transported to dungeons, I had to unravel puzzles to locate the power sources. Some portals brought forth formidable Leader foes, impervious to my onslaught until I eliminated their minions. Conquering these foes granted permanent power boosts. Scattered throughout, I discovered new weapons, enhancing my arsenal and enriching the gameplay. The experience felt like id was on an innovative spree, eager to infuse the DOOM franchise with fresh and exciting concepts.
My takeaway from DOOM: The Dark Ages is simple—this installment radiates with the energy and passion of a developer eager to redefine what DOOM can offer. It presented much more than just a new storyline, artillery, and enemies. It introduced a refreshing genre shift. Needless to say, I’m eagerly anticipating more surprises this team might have up their sleeve.
Mark your calendars for May 15, 2025. That’s when DOOM: The Dark Ages hits Xbox Series X|S, PC via platforms like the Xbox app for Windows, Steam, and Battle.net, PlayStation 5, and the cloud, all accessible immediately with Game Pass from day one.
