Exploring DOOM: The Dark Ages – Hands-On Experience with Storytelling, Open Worlds, Mechs, and Dragons

The moment you dive into The Dark Ages, it becomes clear that this game is breaking new ground. During the last and most extensive part of my demo, I found myself immersed in id Software’s unique twist on a sandbox open zone, where the path forward was entirely up to me. My sole mission was to close five portals that demons were pouring out of, but how I achieved that goal—and any detours I chose along the way—was left to my discretion. The more I played, the more I realized I’d never experienced a DOOM game quite like this.

True to form, this sandbox adventure is packed with optional activities that kept me on my toes. Whether it’s dismantling heavily-guarded artillery outposts or discovering hidden stashes of gold ripe for upgrading my gear, the opportunities to explore felt endless. At one particularly memorable point, while I was minding my own business, a gigantic tentacle, as large as a cathedral, erupted from the ground to launch a surprise attack. This wasn’t something the game scripted or mandated, just an extraordinary element tucked away for players to stumble upon.

The main objectives themselves are far from predictable. Remember the initial storyline where closing portals was all about clearing arenas? Here, it’s a whole different ball game. Sometimes the portals throw me into dungeons that demand puzzle-solving to reach their energy sources. Other times, I confronted Leader enemies—overwhelmingly tough foes that shrugged off my attacks until I thinned their minion herd. Defeating these Leaders offered permanent upgrades, bolstering my arsenal with new weapons and diverse firepower. It’s endlessly inventive, as if id Software was eagerly waiting to infuse fresh ideas into the world of DOOM.

The biggest takeaway from my time with DOOM: The Dark Ages is the palpable excitement from its developers—not just about revamping DOOM, but exploring what it could become. I came expecting a fresh story, a slew of new weapons, and more demons. What I didn’t foresee were these newfound genre elements. I’m eagerly anticipating what other surprises this team will reveal.

Mark your calendars for May 15, 2025, when DOOM: The Dark Ages launches on Xbox Series X|S, PC (available through the Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, and Battle.net), as well as PlayStation 5 and cloud platforms. Plus, it will be available on day one with Game Pass.