Doom: The Dark Ages: Release Date, Gameplay, Features, and More
Pre-orders are already open, with the Collector's Bundle offering up to two days of early access.
Image Credit: Bethesda Softworks
Bethesda and id Software have now revealed that Doom: The Dark Ages will launch on May 15, 2025, for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. Given that it's a Microsoft-owned game, it will also be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. There's no mention of a release on the newly announced Nintendo Switch 2, but Microsoft plans to bring many of its games to the next-gen console later in 2025.
Gameplay and Features
Doom: The Dark Ages is a single-player campaign only. This strategy allows id Software to focus entirely on the campaign, making it their largest, most expansive, and most epic campaign ever. Players will take on the role of the Doom Slayer in a dark fantasy/sci-fi world, fighting their way across sprawling battlefields. The game emphasizes raw power over acrobatics, with a new combat system that includes devastating melee abilities. Players can expect to pilot a 30-story tall Atlan mech and ride a fire-breathing cybernetic dragon.
New Weapons and Combat Mechanics
New melee weapons in the Doom Slayer's arsenal include the Shield Saw, a spiked flail, and an electric gauntlet, with different combos and upgrades. There's a strong emphasis in the combat system on making sure that this is a compelling loop of intuitive techniques that are also quite innovative. Adjustable speed sliders help make it easier to learn the projectile patterns by slowing them down or up to add more challenge to a fight.
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Doom: Story and Exploration
The Dark Ages serves as a prequel to Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, exploring the Doom Slayer's history. The game moves most of its story out of the encyclopedic codex and into cutscenes, treating the narrative like a summer blockbuster event. The game's levels are divided into large regions with non-linear quests, allowing players to explore and complete objectives in any order they want.
Trailer and More Info
During the Xbox Developer Direct 2025 event, id Software showed off some gameplay footage and new details about Doom: The Dark Ages. The composer of the game is Finishing Move, who worked on Halo 2 and The Callisto Protocol. Pre-orders are already open, with the Collector's Bundle offering up to two days of early access.
