DOOM: The Dark Ages – Exploring Story, Open Worlds, Mechs, and Dragons Up Close

The moment you step into The Dark Ages, you realize this is not your typical DOOM experience. During my final and most extended section of the demo, I was thrust into id Software’s vision of a sprawling open-world environment. My mission was straightforward: close five portals spewing demons into the world. But how I tackled this task was entirely up to me. Over the hour-long session, it was impossible to ignore that this was uncharted territory for the DOOM franchise.

This sandbox world overflows with optional challenges, like taking down heavily fortified artillery positions or uncovering gold caches to upgrade your gear. I remember casually sprinting through the terrain when suddenly, a massive, cathedral-sized tentacle erupted from the earth to attack me. This wasn’t a scripted sequence or a direct mission—it was merely one of the unpredictable surprises scattered throughout the level.

Even the main objectives themselves hold delightful twists. Initially, sealing portals seemed as simple as clearing out an arena, but things quickly diverged from there. Some portals led me to dungeons where I had to solve intricate puzzles to reach their power sources. Others introduced formidable Leader enemies—tough bosses who couldn’t be harmed until I’d dispatched a number of their minions. Defeating them rewarded me with permanent upgrades. Along the way, I stumbled across new weapons, expanding my arsenal and offering fresh tactical options. The experience felt endlessly creative, as though id Software had been bursting with ideas just waiting for a platform to explore what DOOM could evolve into.

Reflecting on my time with DOOM: The Dark Ages, it’s clear that the developers are enthusiastic not just about DOOM, but about discovering where they can push its boundaries. I anticipated a new storyline, fresh weaponry, and novel adversaries, but I didn’t expect the exploration of entirely new gameplay genres. I’m eagerly looking forward to what this talented team reveals next.

Mark your calendars: DOOM: The Dark Ages is set to launch on May 15, 2025. It will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PC (via the Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, and Battle.net), PlayStation 5, and through cloud gaming, and you can access it on the first day with Game Pass.