Why Doom: The Dark Ages Would Be Right to Dodge a God of War Approach

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As a gamer with over two decades of gaming experience, I can’t help but feel a tad underwhelmed by the seemingly hasty conclusions to some of my favorite franchises. The Norse saga in God of War, for instance, feels like it was just getting started when it was announced that Ragnarok would be the final entry. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to see Kratos and Atreus face off against the gods once more, but I can’t help but wonder what other realms and tales we might have explored had the series been given a bit more breathing room.

With the announcement of God of War as the start of a Norse tale, the series was overflowing with undiscovered possibilities. It wasn’t clear at the time how many games within the franchise would be set in Midgard and the other eight Norse realms, but the fateful mural depicting different settings and cultures in God of War sparked endless curiosity about where the series might journey next. To this day, God of War hasn’t left its snowy landscapes, but it has been confirmed that the Norse saga will end with God of War Ragnarok.

The Dark Ages is set to introduce a dark fantasy element to the sci-fi shooter series. It’s unclear how many games id and Bethesda might create based on this setting, but since The Dark Ages seems to be positioned between Doom 64 and the 2016 Doom, it’s likely that the series won’t remain in dark fantasy for long. Unless a multi-game plan has been planned already, The Dark Ages should fully explore medieval dark fantasy in a single game without saving any significant elements for potential future installments to address or leave behind.

God of War’s Norse Saga Feels Unfulfilled with Only Two Games

In simpler terms, the return of God of War to its exclusive PlayStation series saw a gradual narrative unfold, guiding players through snowy landscapes, calm waters, and narrow rivers, all while presenting an entirely revamped gameplay system. Gone are the days of reckless Blades of Chaos swings and overwhelming enemy masses; combat has become strategic, requiring players to dodge, parry with a shield, and make tactical use of the Leviathan Axe. Additionally, a new ranged mechanic allows players to showcase Atreus’ archery abilities.

In order for God of War to fully explore its new features, particularly if players were carrying over combat techniques from its previous Greek mythology games, it necessitated dedicating the entire game to helping players adapt. With Baldur as the primary antagonist, it suggested that future installments might follow a sequence starring Thor, hinted at in God of War‘s post-credits scene, and conclude with a third game centered around Odin to form a Norse trilogy.

Instead of always using trilogies as the main storytelling structure, it would have been beneficial for the Norse saga in God of War to have more time to unfold, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in its setting and lore. Even though Ragnarok is said to be the final installment, Kratos has established a home there, making it challenging for the sequel to incorporate all remaining realms as playable environments and manage Thor and Odin as main adversaries.

Doom: The Dark Ages Needs to Be Clear on Its Eventual Expiration Date

If the game “Doom: The Dark Ages” showcases a rich world ripe for more stories set within its dark fantasy biopunk environment, it’s likely that developers id and Bethesda will be eager to further explore this setting. In fact, recent hints from Doom have suggested a medieval theme with weapons like swords and axes, which is now fully materializing in “The Dark Ages” with its depiction of ancient cathedrals and unique take on dragons.

The intense, fast-paced shooting and movement in Doom is expected to remain its main highlight. However, setting this action within a brand new environment with a unique ambiance seems exactly what the series requires right now for a fresh start.

Nevertheless, ID Software and Bethesda Softworks need to thoughtfully consider if they want the dark fantasy setting for their upcoming project to be a single game, a duology, a trilogy, or something longer-lasting. It would be unfortunate if The Dark Ages hinted at numerous untold stories, only to reveal that its sequels will mark the end of the dark fantasy series. Announcing an earlier conclusion could help manage fans’ expectations more effectively.

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2024-11-30 14:34