The Dark Ages Hits PS5 on May 15 – id Software Unveils Fresh Gameplay Insights – PlayStation.Blog

Hey everyone! Hugo Martin here, the Game Director for Doom: The Dark Ages. I’m reporting straight from id Software’s headquarters where we are busy putting the final touches on this latest addition to the series. It’s almost ready, and we can’t wait for you to dive in. While we all eagerly await its release, we’ve prepared a sneak peek of the gameplay for you to enjoy. There’s a lot to get into from this video, and I bet you have some questions. Let me break it down and fill you in on the details…

What’s new with the combat in Dark Ages, and how does it compare to Eternal or Doom (2016)?

In a nutshell, think of it as a mix of both, but with a fresh, medieval twist. We’re striving to deliver the depth of Eternal’s combat with the straightforward controls of Doom (2016). In Eternal, you could pull off a series of impressive moves, each requiring specific inputs. In Dark Ages, you’ll have a novel set of medieval actions, but now, you won’t need as many buttons to achieve them!

We’ve balanced depth and simplicity by making items like the Shield-Saw respond differently depending on their interaction material. It’s all about context: the shield can bounce off plasma shields to strike other enemies, lodge into flesh to immobilize bigger demons, or break through armor creating a blast effect – all with a single button push.

Here’s a little analogy for you: we’ve got fewer strings on our guitar, but we’ve added more frets. This preserves the complexity, offering players new skills to learn and hone. We’ve stuck with the familiar FPS controls, ensuring that these moves are intuitive yet impactful. It’s fun to pull off, and mastering it offers a tactical edge – a perfect balance of enjoyment and strategy.

What’s up with the “rings” around enemies?

Those yellow rings you’re noticing are what we call falter indicators. "Faltering" was a strategic element in both Eternal and Doom (2016), where top players would identify and stack those attacks to stun powerful foes – exactly what we envisioned! In Dark Ages, we aim to visibly mark when an enemy falters, helping more players explore this mechanism to their advantage. While you can succeed without relying on falters, mastering them on tougher levels can give you the upper hand – especially on the Ultra Nightmare difficulty where every advantage counts!

More story in Doom?

Absolutely! Dark Ages is built around three core pillars: combat, exploration, and story – three compelling reasons to dive in. It’s not just about having a story in Doom; it’s about crafting a great one that strengthens the power fantasy and heightens your drive to battle through the campaign. Engaging narratives allow us to create larger adversaries, expansive worlds, and daunting challenges.

The story kicks off with our Slayer imprisoned, upsetting the fragile balance between good and evil as time runs out. Our hero is an outsider among a threatened people, with his power controlled by divine forces, all against the backdrop of a centuries-old evil. As this prequel unfolds, we start at the birth of the Slayer’s alliance with the Sentinels. Gifted with power by the Maykrs, our hero becomes a medieval superweapon against hell’s armies.

When can you get your hands on it?

Mark your calendars for May 15, 2025! We’re thrilled for you to experience what we hope will be the pinnacle of Doom games. It’s loaded with stellar combat, extensive exploration, and a gripping action-packed story that befits the Slayer’s epic legacy. Plus, you’ll have epic battles featuring the Atlan (a giant Doom mech) and a Dragon to look forward to!

Thanks for tuning in – stay tuned for more updates!