The Dark Ages takes a turn that you wouldn’t have expected. In the final segment of the demo, which was also the longest, I found myself in what could only be described as id Software’s unique twist on an open-world sandbox. My mission was straightforward: close five demon portals. But how I went about it, and the distractions I indulged in, were entirely at my discretion. Throughout the next hour, it became increasingly clear—this wasn’t your typical DOOM experience.
The sandbox was packed with side quests galore. From heavily fortified artillery batteries to destroy, to stashes of gold ripe for collecting and using towards upgrades, there was no shortage of things to do. In one memorable moment, as I was making my way towards a target, a cathedral-sized tentacle erupted from the ground, launching an unexpected attack. This wasn’t a scripted sequence or an outlined objective, just a delightful surprise that kept me on my toes.
The main tasks brought their own twists. Initially, closing portals seemed like a simple task of clearing an arena, but nothing was predictable. Some portals whisked me away to dungeons, where solving puzzles was my ticket through. Others introduced Leaders, daunting adversaries who shrugged off my attacks until I’d defeated enough of their minions. Taking these brutes down earned me permanent upgrades. Scattered throughout, new weapons popped up, each adding a fresh option to my arsenal. It was as if id Software was chomping at the bit to infuse DOOM with fresh creativity, and they delivered with boundless ingenuity.
What truly struck me during my playthrough of DOOM: The Dark Ages was the unbridled enthusiasm emanating from the developers—not just for what DOOM is, but for what it could evolve into. I anticipated a new narrative, fresh weaponry, and devious demons. What I didn’t foresee were the new genres this game would explore. I’m eager to dive deeper and see what else the team has conjured up.
DOOM: The Dark Ages is set to release across multiple platforms including Xbox Series X|S, PC (via the Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, and Battle.net), PlayStation 5, and through cloud gaming, come May 15, 2025. It’s available on Game Pass from day one.
