Doom: The Dark Ages Unveils New Gameplay Features

In a revealing interview with EDGE magazine, the developers behind Doom: The Dark Ages have unveiled intriguing new details about the game's innovative approach to gameplay. This upcoming installment promises to place a stronger emphasis on storytelling, with the narrative taking a more prominent role than in previous titles. The game's levels are set to be the largest in the series' history, offering players a sandbox-like experience that combines the thrill of exploration with the intensity of combat.

Game director Hugo Martin and studio head Marty Stratton shared key insights during the discussion. They explained that while earlier Doom games often relegated backstory to text logs, Doom: The Dark Ages will adopt a more direct storytelling method. The game's atmosphere will shift towards a medieval setting, minimizing futuristic elements. Even the iconic weapons will undergo a design transformation to align with this new aesthetic.

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Doom: The Dark Ages will continue the tradition of featuring distinct levels, but these will be the most expansive yet, blending traditional dungeon crawling with open-world exploration. The game's chapters are structured into "acts," beginning with confined dungeon settings before expanding into vast, open areas. Players will also have the unique opportunity to control both a dragon and a mech, introducing exciting variety to the gameplay mechanics.

A notable addition to the Slayer's arsenal is a versatile shield that also functions as a chainsaw. This shield can be hurled at enemies, with its reaction varying based on the type of material it strikes—be it flesh, armor, energy shields, or other substances. The shield enhances mobility with a dash attack, enabling rapid closure of distance, especially crucial since features like double jumps and roars from previous games are no longer available. Moreover, the shield supports parrying, with adjustable difficulty and precise timing requirements.

Parrying in Doom: The Dark Ages serves as a "reload" mechanism for melee attacks, while engaging in melee combat replenishes ammunition for primary weapons, echoing the chainsaw mechanic seen in DOOM Eternal. Players will have a range of melee options at their disposal, including a swift gauntlet, a well-balanced shield, and a heftier mace, each tailored to different combat scenarios.