Overview

• Doom: The Dark Ages, a medieval prequel to Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, introduces a shield-based combat system that emphasizes parrying and tactical defense.
• The game shifts away from high-mobility gameplay, focusing instead on deliberate, strategic encounters with a slower, grounded combat style.
• While critics praise the shield mechanics, audio-visual design, and overall combat depth, the mech and dragon sequences are noted as underdeveloped and less engaging.
• The 22-chapter single-player campaign spans 25-35 hours, featuring cinematic storytelling with named characters and a deeper exploration of Doom Slayer's origins.
• Set to release on May 15, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, the game will also be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch.