Where The Dark Ages truly shines is in its ability to subvert expectations. During the last—and by far the longest—part of the demo, I’m thrust into id Software’s take on a sandbox-style open zone. My task? To shut down five demon-spewing portals. But how I achieve this, and the side adventures I embark on, are completely up to me. Over an hour passed and I kept thinking, “I’ve never experienced a DOOM game quite like this.”
True to form, this sandbox scenario is brimming with optional pursuits. From heavily-guarded artillery stations begging to be dismantled to stashes of gold just waiting to be used for upgrades and more. Picture this: I’m making my way through the area when suddenly a tentacle, as large as a cathedral, bursts from the ground, attacking with zero warning. It’s not something scripted or even part of any mission given to me, just an unexpected surprise along the path.
Even the main objectives pack a punch, keeping you on your toes. Initially, closing a portal seemed straightforward: just clear out the arena. But not this time. In some instances, I’m whisked away to a dungeon, requiring mental acrobatics to puzzle my way to the power source. Then there are the Leader enemies—massive creatures that shrug off my attacks until I’ve dispatched enough of their followers. Defeating them earns me permanent upgrades. Alongside this puzzle-solving and adversary-facing, I stumble across brand new firearms, enhancing my arsenal with fresh possibilities. It’s as though id Software has been bubbling with innovations, just waiting for a chance to weave them into the DOOM universe.
Ultimately, what stands out from my extensive session with DOOM: The Dark Ages is this bubbling excitement from the developers—not just about DOOM itself, but about what DOOM can evolve into. I anticipated a new narrative, fresh weapons, and hordes of demons. What I didn’t foresee were new gameplay genres. I’m really looking forward to discovering what else the team at id Software has crafted.
Mark your calendars: DOOM: The Dark Ages blasts onto Xbox Series X|S, PC (via the Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, and Battle.net), PlayStation 5, and the cloud on May 15, 2025. Plus, it’ll be available right from day one on Game Pass.
