Doom: The Dark Ages Gameplay Preview

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In the new game, Doom: The Dark Ages, significant adjustments are being made to the established formula, with a greater emphasis on realistic and concentrated combat compared to the aerial-focused combat mechanics seen in Doom Eternal’s predecessor.

In a narrative that serves as a precursor to Doom 2016, we find ourselves immersed in Doom: The Dark Ages, a world that blends technology and medieval times. Here, the Doom Slayer is assigned a mission: to eradicate the armies of Hell using an arsenal of weapons uniquely suited to this distinctive setting.

Thus far, it’s been more of the same Doom we know, but there are some new changes worth noting. TopMob had a sneak peek at Doom: The Dark Ages before the Xbox Developer Direct, and they’ve shared what players can expect when the game drops on May 15.

Doom: The Dark Ages Features More Grounded Combat

One point emphasized by the developers is that the combat in Doom: The Dark Ages differs significantly from its previous version. Contrary to the complex combat in Doom Eternal, as described by Game Director Hugo Martin, the new game simplifies this aspect.

In Doom: The Dark Ages, players can expect expansive areas to discover and hidden treasures to find. However, compared to its predecessor, the combat has been made more realistic and less dependent on the sequence of special abilities.

In this new installment, the Doom Slayer is adopting a tactic reminiscent of the Dark Souls series. He will employ the Shield Saw in battles, a tool that serves both defensive and offensive purposes, fending off enemies while simultaneously defeating them. Furthermore, it seems the developers have drawn inspiration from Sekiro as well, enabling players to deflect enemy attacks with this weapon, paving the way for subsequent melee strikes. Lastly, the Shield Saw will be utilized for exploration too, as its edges can slice through the game’s environment.

In the game titled “Doom: The Dark Ages,” players will find themselves equipped with an Iron Flail, an Electrified Gauntlet, and a Doom Spiked Mace. They can utilize these tools to crush enemy heads or perform secondary attacks after successful parries, each featuring their own unique combos and improvements.

In the updated Glory Kill system, players now have the ability to instantly eliminate enemies from any position, eliminating the need for repetitive cutscenes that were previously associated with it.

In a Doom game, you can’t imagine it without firearms. Similarly, in The Dark Ages, the weapons will reflect the ancient charm of the era, giving them a feel reminiscent of the originals from Quake.

Discussing the bleak setting of Doom: The Dark Ages, this new installment promises a richer narrative compared to its predecessors by delving into the Slayer’s ancient conflict with Hell. However, as Doom is primarily an action-packed game, it’s crucial that players can easily skip dialogue scenes, which were a significant concern in the 2016 remake.

Doom: The Dark Ages Brings Mechs & Dragons To The Series

Among the significant enhancements in this game, you’ll find an exciting new element: the introduction of vehicles. However, out of the two options, the one that truly stands out is the Atlan – a towering mech designed for epic encounters. The Atlan offers unique battle arenas, where the Doom Slayer squares off against colossal demons in a manner reminiscent of Kaiju battles.

The Atlan seems quite full of tricks, yet promises fun overall. Similarly, the second vehicle, the cybernetic dragon, boasts a gatling gun and fire breath – quite the spectacle! It carries an atmosphere reminiscent of Panzer Dragoon, where players engage enemies while riding the beast, shooting them down from its back.

Players Can Tailor Their Doom: The Dark Ages Experience With Difficulty Sliders

A potential point of debate among some gamers could be the introduction of adjustable difficulty levels, often referred to as “difficulty sliders.” These features enable players to tweak parameters like damage output, bullet speed, and enemy hostility to their liking.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, stepping aside from the traditional difficulty settings might stir up some controversy, but frankly, who’s keeping track? These optional adjustments are all about cranking up the fun factor for gamers across the board. After all, even the original Doom had an easy mode, and this is just a refined take on that concept.

As a devoted fan, I must say that while Doom: The Dark Ages may appear distinct from its predecessors, it undeniably carries on the legacy of the franchise authentically. Previously, Doom Eternal was a solid game, but it seemed to stray from the essence of Doom. However, with The Dark Ages, rooting the combat and tempering the pace is an incredible stride towards recapturing that classic Doom experience.

The mechanical components appear amazingly impressive and have long been absent from this series. Regrettably, multiplayer functionality, unfortunately confirmed by the developers, has been sacrificed in order to concentrate on enriching the single-player experience, given budget constraints.

As a gamer, I’m thrilled about the inclusion of the Shield Saw in this game. It adds another layer to the gameplay that feels intuitive, especially since it’s bound to a single button for easy access. After the complex input system in Doom Eternal, this simplification is much appreciated. The shield and melee weapons seem to be streamlining the controls, making the gameplay more fluid and enjoyable.

In essence, Doom: The Dark Ages encapsulates a significant aspect of its content – attentiveness to fan input. The modifications made to combat and challenge levels appear as direct responses to player suggestions, which is why it has the potential to be the top installment in the reboot series so far.

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2025-01-23 22:09