Doom: The Dark Ages Takes a Page from God of War’s Playbook!

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Summary

  • Doom: The Dark Ages shifts to a new gameplay style, encouraging strategic combat in a medieval setting.
  • New weapons and enemies add depth to the game, hinting at a new direction for the series.
  • Both Doom: The Dark Ages and God of War embrace slower combat and weapon changes, offering fresh challenges.

Ever since the 2016 reboot of Doom, every new game has been pushing the boundaries and carving its unique niche. From what I’ve gathered, Doom: The Dark Ages seems to be taking our beloved franchise down an entirely fresh path. Unlike the fast-paced, tech-heavy gameplay of Doom Eternal, Doom: The Dark Ages invites us to tread cautiously and devise strategies against swarms of enemies in a medieval backdrop.

In this revised gaming experience, fans can expect an array of brand-new weapons to experiment with, enabling them to engage with old adversaries in novel and intriguing manners. Yet, a teaser for the game hints at potential parallels between the Doom Slayer’s journey and Kratos’, as their history of devastation seems to have attracted unwanted scrutiny.

New Threats Will Never Let Doom Slayer or Kratos Rest

In the 2018 version of God of War, Kratos settled into a tranquil existence, but word of his past spread even to the Norse gods, causing him to be reborn as The Ghost of Sparta again. Similarly, in Doom: The Dark Ages, following his relentless battles against the legions of Hell in previous games, the Doom Slayer now faces a fresh challenge – battling a new league of Eldritch entities.

In the games of this series, the designs of the demonic creatures have shown remarkable promise, introducing some of the most unique and challenging Doom enemies in recent instalments. However, it might be beneficial for Doom: The Dark Ages to introduce a fresh batch of creatures in its bestiary, as this could be exactly what the series needs to evolve. Similarly, the new God of War games have demonstrated that Greek mythology alone may limit the potential of a God of War game. By exploring a Nordic environment filled with mythical creatures and folklore, players can discover a fresh aspect of Kratos without diminishing the impact of previous titles. In the same vein, Doom: The Dark Ages’ Cosmic Realm could be positioning the series for a similar development.

It’s smart to let the main characters journey through various worlds, as it keeps the story going since there are no longer any Greek gods left for Kratos to kill. With Atreus playing a larger part now, players might anticipate him taking over from Kratos and exploring other mythical realms independently in future installments of the series.

In a similar vein, the Cosmic Realm featured in “Doom: The Dark Ages” could indicate a possible future direction for this game series. Traditionally, “Doom” has been focused on the denizens of Hell, and it’s unlikely that this focus will shift anytime soon. However, the appearance of creatures from a world with one eye opens up new possibilities for the types of adversaries players might encounter. Given that “Doom: The Dark Ages” is not afraid to challenge tradition, it’s possible that we might see a departure from the usual demonic enemies in the future.

Doom’s New Combat Approach is Familiar

Slowing Down to Stand and Fight

In a fresh take on their roots, not only are the novel settings for Doom and God of War differentiating these series, but also the gameplay styles have evolved significantly. id Software is openly embracing a “stand and fight” strategy in Doom: The Dark Ages, which demands a strategic approach to annihilate waves of adversaries. This could be another point of similarity between the two franchises. Similarly, God of War’s gameplay underwent a total transformation with the Norse saga, featuring a much more deliberate pace that mirrors Kratos’ thoughtful fighting style. Though the Doom Slayer hasn’t yet learned to be more restrained in combat, obliterating every enemy he encounters, it’s intriguing that as both games explore new realms, their gameplay has adapted accordingly.

Both Games Have a Weapon Mechanic in Common

It’s quite possible that another striking resemblance lies in the fact that both main characters obtain new weapons. In the Doom series, this isn’t surprising given that each installment typically introduces more firearms and melee weapons than its predecessor. One weapon, in particular, might seem unusual for the Doom Slayer initially, but it strengthens the link to Kratos significantly. Instead of the classic chainsaw, the Doom Slayer wields a Shield Saw in Doom: The Dark Ages. This weapon operates much like any shield would, but its primary function is to be thrown. The spinning saw blades on the shield harm any enemies the thrown projectile strikes, bouncing off surfaces and eventually returning to the player’s grasp.

To enthusiasts of the latest God of War series, this scenario may seem quite relatable. In an attempt to move away from his old ways, Kratos opted for the Leviathan Axe instead of his Blades of Chaos, a choice more suitable for the Nordic environment. Kratos can whirl the axe around against nearby adversaries, yet it can be hurled to strike distant enemies before he retrieves it back to him. Despite the games being somewhat slower than their earlier versions, this shared feature ensures players remain engaged in the battle.

It’s intriguing to see how the main characters from God of War and Doom: The Dark Ages confront new adversaries, offering a unique twist for each series to move forward. Instead of repeating familiar concepts until they lose their appeal, introducing fresh challenges helps keep these franchises feeling fresh. Although the trajectories of both characters share similarities, it’s their distinct methods of dealing with obstacles that make them captivating. Kratos draws strength from his regret and battles for peace even when facing new gods in God of War. In contrast, the Doom Slayer remains relentless, devoid of remorse as he annihilates endless hordes of demons – and now cosmic entities.

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2025-05-01 22:09