Doom: The Dark Agesis finally here, and with it comes an unapologetically violent and action-packed experience. As the iconic Slayer, players punch, slash, and shoot their way through the oncoming hordes of Hell. This is to be expected from theDoomfranchise, since its entire legacy is built on action-forward gameplay, butDoom: The Dark Ageshas taken it to a new level with some of its coolest changes.
Doom: The Dark Ageshas proven to be a success, and its brand-new medieval-themed setting and aesthetic have definitely helped grab the attention of a lot of gamers, whether it be longtime fans or newcomers. Developer id Software took a big risk by bringing so many changes to this new entry, and while the studio was able to pull it off, it also gives the next game the difficult task of one-upping such a unique predecessor.
Doom: The Dark Ages Has Set a High Bar That May Be Difficult to Reach
Bringing Carnage to New Heights
Leading up to the release ofDoom: The Dark Ages, some of the most exciting things that a lot of gamers were looking forward to were the fresh takes on combat. Between the Shield Saw, a hulking mech suit, and even a Mecha Dragon named Serrat,Doom: The Dark Ages’gameplayoutdoes itself when it comes to giving players a variety of ways to fight off demons.
Beyond the weapon upgrades, the entire world ofDoom: The Dark Agesis incredibly intriguing. Whether it’s diving deeper intoDoom’s powerful Maykrsor simply through the game’s level design,Doom: The Dark Ageshas a unique identity that boldly sets itself apart from the rest of the franchise. While this is a great way to experience theDoomfranchise in a completely new light, it also raises plenty of questions about how the next game can live up to the expectations that have now been set.
In addition to the Shield Saw,Doom: The Dark Ages' new weapons include the Pulverizer, Shredder, Impaler, Cycler, Flail, and Chainshot.
Doom Going Back to Its Classic Formula May Be Difficult Now
WithDoom: The Dark Agesbeing a prequel to the rebooted series, what lies ahead for the Slayer is known to those who have played the past two games.Doom(2016) andDoom Eternaldon’t feature things like the Shield Saw or Mecha Dragons, so these weapons could potentially be one-offs. However, that hopefully isn’t the case. Even if the next game takes place afterDoom Eternal, id Software could still bring the likes of the Shield Saw back. At this point, it almost seems like a given that it will return, sinceDoom: The Dark Ageshas opened the door for a great new weaponthat would be sorely missed if omitted from the next chapter.
Doom: The Dark Ageshas a unique identity that boldly sets itself apart from the rest of the franchise.
Doom: The Dark Ageshas also potentially set a new standard for difficulty settings in gaming. The game allows for in-depth customization that can make it either an easy-going shoot-em-up experience or a hardcore, sweat-inducing fight with the forces of Hell.
The Future of Doom Has Found Itself in an Interesting Position
Now thatDoom: The Dark Ageshas introduced new possibilities, it will be fascinating to see what id Software chooses to do with the franchise next. The path has now been paved to allow for more experimental settings and weapons, and id Software hopefully continues to embrace this new era’s love of introducing the unexpected.
SinceDoom: The Dark Agesis still a bold, fresh entry, it will likely be a while before gamers know what lies in store next for the franchise. Until then,Doom: The Dark Agesbrings the series to an exciting new frontier that will potentially continue to influence the rest of the franchise going forward.
