As the demo of The Dark Ages unfolds, I find myself pleasantly surprised by how it defies expectations. During the longest segment, I get to explore an expansive sandbox open zone crafted by id, where I’m free to navigate and engage in activities as I see fit. My primary mission is straightforward: close five portals that demons are pouring through. However, the approach, the distractions, and the path I choose are entirely up to me. It becomes clear over the course of an hour that this isn’t your typical DOOM experience.
Everything you’d want from a sandbox is here, complete with optional challenges like taking down heavily-guarded artillery and discovering caches of gold to enhance your upgrades. At one point, as I’m heading towards an objective, a gigantic tentacle erupts from the ground, launching an unexpected and unscripted attack. This isn’t part of a mission; it’s just one of those surprises scattered throughout the world.
The core missions themselves aren’t short of surprises, either. In one story mission, closing portals meant clearing out a battle arena, but that formula shifts here. Some portals whisk me away to dungeons filled with puzzles guarding the energy source, while others confront me with formidable Leader enemies. These are foes I can’t defeat until their minions are downed, rewarding me with lasting upgrades once I achieve victory. Throughout, I discover an array of new weapons, enriching my arsenal with fresh options. The inventiveness is ceaseless, as if id has been just waiting to breathe new life into the DOOM formula.
Ultimately, the most important thing I took away from my experience with DOOM: The Dark Ages was how energized and enthusiastic the developers seem about the future of DOOM. I expected new stories, weapons, and demons; what caught me off guard was the introduction of entirely new genres. I’m eager to see what other innovations this team will bring to the table.
Mark your calendars for May 15, 2025, when DOOM: The Dark Ages goes live on Xbox Series X|S, PC (through platforms like Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, and Battle.net), PlayStation 5, and the cloud. Plus, it drops on Game Pass right from day one.
