DOOM: The Dark Ages is an upcoming action shooter and the latest installment in the long-standing DOOM franchise. Read on to learn how it plays, what it’s about, and everything else we know so far.
DOOM: The Dark Ages Story
DOOM: The Dark Ages Story Plot
So far, DOOM: The Dark Ages has kept most of its story under wraps, sharing only glimpses of the setting, protagonist, and a few key gameplay features in the official trailer. The only clue we have regarding the actual plotline of DOOM: The Dark Ages is that it will serve as an origin story of sorts for The Slayer. We’ll be updating this article with new information as soon as it comes out, so stay tuned!
DOOM: The Dark Ages Setting
DOOM: The Dark Ages reveals yet another chapter in the Slayer’s long and bloody history as a destroyer of demons, this time seemingly from a time before the fall of Earth and Mars and the discovery of Argent Energy.
As hinted at by the game’s official announcement trailer, this game is set in a time when the Slayer was the superweapon of gods and kings, and his arsenal reflects this period with the introduction of dragons, a greater focus on medieval-age melee weapons, and a revamped look.
DOOM: The Dark Ages Characters
The Slayer
Known to long-time fans as "Doom Guy" and rebranded as The Slayer in the explosive 2016 reboot, this legendary demon-slayer is the unstoppable force at the heart of the DOOM series. Armed with an arsenal that ranges from conventional guns to iconic weapons like the Crucible Sword and the BFG, The Slayer stands as humanity’s last line of defense against the legions of Hell.
Blessed with godlike strength and near-immortality, The Slayer is a terrifying presence on the battlefield, tearing through demons with relentless fury. For the forces of Hell, he’s more than just another player in the invasion of Earth—he’s their worst nightmare.
The Legions of Hell
From the smallest Imps to towering Cyberdemons, the Legions of Hell make up the relentless invasion force that storms Earth in DOOM: The Dark Ages. These infernal soldiers, numbering in the hundreds of millions, tear through to our world using portals powered by Argent energy, overwhelming humanity’s defenses with brutal strength and sheer numbers.
While the full roster of demonic foes for The Dark Ages is still under wraps, fans have already glimpsed some iconic adversaries in the official trailer—though this time with a medieval twist. Familiar horrors like hulking Mancubi, Zombies, Imps, and Gargoyles make appearances, and sharp-eyed viewers have spotted possible sightings of fan-favorite demons such as a reimagined Revenant, a mounted demon, a terrifying Archvile, a massive armored creature resembling DOOM: Eternal’s Gladiator, Arachnotrons, and even a Titan.
DOOM: The Dark Ages Gameplay
While DOOM: The Dark Ages has yet to reveal all its gameplay secrets, the trailer gives a thrilling glimpse into what’s in store. Staying true to the series' roots, this latest entry offers a fast-paced, first-person shooter experience that pits players—embodying the unstoppable Slayer—against the relentless Legions of Hell.
Equipped with an array of powerful weapons and abilities, players will boost their firepower, survivability, mobility, and speed as they blast through the game's intense story stages. Colossal boss battles, including a showdown with one of Hell's mighty Titans, mark key moments in The Slayer’s journey. Set against a backdrop of medieval carnage and rich lore, players will uncover the secrets of The Slayer's legendary—yet largely untold—past.
Recommend the game to:
⚫︎ Players who’ve played DOOM (2016) and DOOM: Eternal
⚫︎ Fans of the DOOM Series
⚫︎ Players who enjoy fast-paced, visceral, FPS action
⚫︎ People who enjoy high-quality, hyperrealistic graphics
Take Part in The Slayer’s Expanded Arsenal of Demon-Killing Weapons
In DOOM: The Dark Ages, The Slayer’s weapons are as legendary as the man himself. Leading the charge is the fan-favorite double-barreled Super Shotgun—minus the Meat Hook from DOOM: Eternal, but still packing a punch. Also making its debut is the Slayer’s new offhand weapon, the Chainsaw Shield: a brutal tool that not only blocks enemy attacks but also slices through demons with a chainsaw-edged, Captain America-style toss.
The trailer has hinted at several other yet-unnamed weapons, each adding a fresh twist to The Slayer’s arsenal. Among them is a gun that fires deadly metal spikes, a medieval-inspired take on the Plasma Rifle, a fearsome flail that steps in for the chainsaw in close combat, and a crowd-pleaser known as the skull grinder, which turns ground-up bone shards into high-velocity projectiles.
Mechas, Dragons, and Parrying Mechanics
DOOM: The Dark Ages introduces an expanded suite of combat tools and mechanics that aren’t necessarily just weapons, pushing The Slayer’s rampage to new, more violent extremes in this medieval setting.
The most talked-about addition is the Slayer Mecha, a massive mechanized armor teased in the trailer as a potential means to confront massive foes like Titans. While it’s unclear if this mechanized armor will be part of the core weapon kit, it promises to bring a positively gargantuan twist to the usual battle rhythm of The Slayer.
Adding to the excitement, players get to soar over battlefields on the back of a dragon, its fiery form coursing with the ominous red glow of Argent energy. This unexpected mount brings verticality and a fearsome new angle to the Slayer’s crusade against Hell, although it remains unclear how The Slayer would use this dragon mid-combat, if at all, hinting that it is possibly just a cutscene-exclusive asset.
Rounding out the upgrades, DOOM: The Dark Ages introduces a parry and riposte mechanic—a first for the series—that works seamlessly with the new Chainsaw Shield. This system allows players to deflect incoming attacks and strike back with a powerful counter within a short window of time, giving The Slayer even more defense and control in the chaotic dance of destruction.
Is DOOM: The Dark Ages Multiplayer?
Maybe, Although It’ll Likely Just Be a Single-player Experience
DOOM has traditionally been known for its intense single-player action, but DOOM: Eternal shook things up by adding multiplayer with its post-launch BATTLEMODE and even planned a now-canceled INVASION MODE. Whether DOOM: The Dark Ages will follow suit is still unknown, but early footage suggests it’s shaping up to be a purely single-player adventure.
DOOM: The Dark Ages System Requirements
Id Software and Bethesda Softworks are yet to reveal DOOM: The Dark Ages's official system requirements through any of their official portals. We'll update this article as soon as that information is available, so stay tuned!
DOOM: The Dark Ages Trailer
DOOM: The Dark Ages | Official Trailer
DOOM: The Dark Ages’ Official Trailer showcases much of the game’s upcoming features, including new weapons, new enemies, dragon-riding mechanics, and a glimpse at the game’s premise and possible narrative.
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DOOM: The Dark Ages Product Information
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| Title | DOOM: THE DARK AGES |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2025 |
| Developer | id Software |
| Publisher | Bethesda Softworks |
| Supported Platforms | PC (Steam), Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 |
| Genre | Action, Shooter |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | RP |
| Official Website | DOOM: The Dark Ages Website |
