Summary
One talented fan excited about the launch ofDoom: The Dark Agescreated their very own homemade replica of the Slayer’s shield saw during the lead up to the game’s release, and the result is absolutely incredible. This new addition to the Slayer’s arsenal is quite unlike anything fans have seen in previous titles, and is just one of the new tools thatDoom: The Dark Agesbrings to the table.
First shown off to fans during the game’s initial reveal, the shield saw will be an essential element ofDoom: The Dark Ages' unique combat loop. While previousDoomtitles have encouraged players to run, gun, and never stop moving,Doom: The Dark Agestakes a new approachto the series' classic formula by forcing players to stand and fight against hordes of demons both old and new. Players will feel more like a walking tank than they did inDoom Eternal, and the shield saw will allow players to block attacks, smash into foes, and tear through groups of weaker monsters thanks to the shield’s secondary use as a circular chainsaw.
While some players initially had some reservations about a shield of all things becoming aprominent tool in aDoomgame, footage of the shield saw in action actually makes it feel right at home in the franchise. One dedicatedDoomfan, known online as Invent3D, took such a liking to the shield saw that they went ahead and created a stunning real-world replica of the weapon. This significantly less dangerous model was made using biodegradable polylactic acid polymer, with most pieces of the replica being 3D-printed. The item was also entirely hand-painted by its creator, boasting such a high level of detail that it looks just like the in-game model.
Doom: The Dark Ages' Shield Saw Is a Bold but Welcome Addition
The shield saw isn’t the onlynew tool thatDoom: The Dark Ageswill hand to players, though. Several new weapons never before seen in the series will allow players to slaughter hellspawn in new ways, and withDoom: The Dark Agesalso featuring an even greater focus on melee combat than its predecessors, players can look forward to trying out a variety of medieval-style melee weapons to crush demons up-close with powerful combos.
Serving as aprequel to the events of the critically-acclaimedDoom 2016but a sequel to the events of the classicDoomtitles,Doom: The Dark Agesstrikes a fine balance between old and new. The game’s bullet hell feel and massive enemy density call to mind the style of the originalDoomgames from the 90s, but players still get to enjoy the superhuman speed and strength of the modern-day Slayer all the same. While the shield saw offers something totally new, classic weapons like the Super Shotgun will return as well, and players will get to bring these tools to bear against a wider variety of different monsters than before.
