In a recent interview with EDGE magazine, the developers behind the highly anticipated Doom: The Dark Ages unveiled exciting new details about the game's gameplay. This installment promises a narrative-driven experience, with the story taking a more prominent role than in previous titles. Furthermore, the levels are set to be the largest in the franchise's history, providing players with a sandbox-like environment to explore.
Game director Hugo Martin and studio head Marty Stratton shared insights that shed light on the game's direction. Unlike earlier Doom games where the backstory was often tucked away in text logs, The Dark Ages will embrace a more direct storytelling method. The game's atmosphere will shift to a medieval setting, minimizing futuristic elements. Even the iconic weapons will undergo a design transformation to align with this new aesthetic.
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While maintaining the series' tradition of distinct levels, Doom: The Dark Ages will feature the most expansive environments yet, merging dungeon crawling with open-world exploration. The game is structured into "acts," beginning with narrow dungeons that gradually open up into vast areas. Players will also have the opportunity to control both a dragon and a mech, introducing new dynamics to the gameplay experience.
A notable addition to the Slayer's arsenal is a versatile shield that also functions as a chainsaw. This shield can be hurled at enemies and reacts uniquely based on the material it strikes—be it flesh, armor, energy shields, or other substances. The shield facilitates a dash attack for rapid movement across the battlefield, compensating for the absence of double jumps and roars from previous games. It also supports a parrying system, with customizable difficulty settings and precise timing required for success.
Parrying serves as a "reload" mechanism for melee attacks, while engaging in melee combat replenishes ammunition for primary weapons, echoing the chainsaw mechanic from DOOM Eternal. Players can choose from a variety of melee options, including a swift gauntlet, a balanced shield, and a slower but powerful mace.
