New details on Doom: The Dark Ages’ release date, platforms, story, gameplay, and settings have been revealed during the recent Xbox Games Showcase 2024.
The rumors are confirmed: the next Doom game, titled Doom: The Dark Ages, is indeed going to a land of dark fantasy. Bethesda and id Software unveiled this new addition to the iconic Doom series during the Xbox Games Showcase 2024. As the name suggests, this latest entry immerses players in an exciting medieval environment while fusing fantasy aspects with the series’ trademark high-stakes first-person shooter action. Moreover, players can even fly on a cyberpunk dragon.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s been revealed so far, including the release date, platforms, story, gameplay, and settings.
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Doom: The Dark Ages Release Date
As announced during the Xbox Showcase 2024, Doom: The Dark Ages is slated for release in 2025. This signifies the return of the series after Doom Eternal’s March 20, 2020 launch, which was more than four years ago.
While an exact date hasn’t been provided, it’s speculated that the game will launch between February and March 2025, based on previous release patterns and the quieter release schedule during that time.
Doom: The Dark Ages Platforms
Despite its reveal at an Xbox event, Doom: The Dark Ages will not be exclusive to Xbox. It will be available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, ensuring fans across different systems can partake in the medieval chaos.
Apart from customary acquisitions, the game will also be accessible on Day One on Xbox Game Pass, enabling subscribers to start playing at no extra cost.
Doom: The Dark Ages Story
Doom: The Dark Ages takes a unique turn by setting the game in the medieval era. This setting allows id Software and Bethesda Softworks to tell a fresh story that’s slower-paced, more grounded, and brutally intense.
The narrative explores the origins of the Doom Slayer, featuring a mix of familiar and new elements. Expect to see legendary weapons like the shotgun alongside new gear such as a chainsaw-equipped shield. Players will face familiar demons and new challenges, including a fearsome dragon. id Software’s evolution of the DOOM formula in The Dark Ages should be exciting to see.
Doom: The Dark Ages Gameplay and Setting
The reveal trailer showcased at the Xbox Games Showcase gave a tantalizing glimpse of what to expect in Doom: The Dark Ages. The game transports the Doom Slayer into the medieval ages, presenting a brand new setting. The Slayer, in his full fury, will battle hordes of demons.
With its vicious takedowns, furious fighting, and loud metal soundtrack, the trailer showcased the classic Doom gameplay. Some of the weapons that players will be able to use in the next Doom game are a double-barrel shotgun, a chainsaw blade, a shield, and spiky ball chains. In order to give even more strategic depth to the gameplay, the Doom Slayer can also ride dragons.
The gameplay demo showed the Slayer decimating hordes of enemies using medieval-style weapons, alongside traditional firearms like the Super Shotgun. To further highlight the fusion of myth and science fiction that characterizes this new chapter, the teaser also hinted at a meeting with a demigod-like figure evocative of Surtur from Norse mythology. The game maintains the series’ signature fun combat and addictive, heart-thumping soundtrack.
The dragon appears to play a significant role, with what seem to be proper flying sections, drawing comparisons to the Panzer Dragoon series.
Overall, the Xbox Games Showcase 2024 provided a comprehensive look at the future of Xbox gaming, with Doom: The Dark Ages standing out as a major highlight. This new installment promises to deliver a unique blend of medieval fantasy and classic Doom action, setting a high bar for what players can expect in the coming years.
With its cross-platform availability and inclusion in Xbox Game Pass, Doom: The Dark Ages is poised to be a major hit when it launches in 2025.
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