The moment you dive into The Dark Ages, you’ll notice it defies all preconceived notions. In what turned out to be my longest experience with the demo, I found myself exploring id Software’s creative take on an open-world sandbox. Armed with the singular objective of shutting down five demon-birthing portals, I had the freedom to choose how to tackle this task. Over the course of an hour, the game repeatedly astonished me, proving to be unlike any DOOM iteration I’ve played before.
True to form, this sandbox adventure brims with optional quests—there are heavily fortified artillery batteries to dismantle, treasure troves of gold to collect and use for upgrades, and countless more discoveries. At one point, while dashing toward my target, a massive tentacle erupts from the ground, launching into an unexpected assault. This was neither a scripted moment nor a core objective, just a random surprise woven seamlessly into the journey.
Even the main objectives kept presenting twists. While the initial task of sealing portals involved straightforward arena fights, this time each portal demanded something different. Some whisked me away into dungeons, where puzzles awaited to block the path to their power sources. Others were guarded by Leader enemies, hulking adversaries immune to my attacks until their minions were vanquished. These victories are more than just achievements; they come with permanent upgrades. As I ventured on, I unearthed new weaponry, expanding my arsenal and opening up new strategies. The experience felt like a creative playground, as if id Software was bursting with fresh ideas it couldn’t wait to infuse into the DOOM universe.
The session with DOOM: The Dark Ages left a lasting impression—it’s a testament to a developer eager not just to revive the essence of DOOM, but to push its boundaries into uncharted territories. I had anticipated fresh narratives, weapons, and adversaries, but what caught me off guard was the introduction of completely new gameplay styles. The excitement to see what this team will reveal next is palpable.
DOOM: The Dark Ages is set to release on May 15, 2025, available for Xbox Series X|S, PC (via the Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, and Battle.net), PlayStation 5, and through cloud services. Plus, it will be accessible from day one with Game Pass.
