Summary
Xbox Game Pass Ultimatehas addedDoom: The Dark Agesto its content catalog. This is the 53rd new title to reach Microsoft’s subscription service since the start of the year, as well as the eighth newXbox Game Passrelease in May.
id Software and Bethesdaoriginally announcedDoom: The Dark Agesduring the June 2024 Xbox Games Showcase. The latest installment in the long-running boomer shooter franchise has been in development since around 2021 and has had its release date set since January 2025.
Doom: The Dark Ageswas treated to a rolling release, starting in the late evening hours of May 14 (ET) and continuing into the early morning of May 15 (CET). Like any other game made by a Microsoft-owned company, the frantic first-person shooter is a day-one Xbox Game Pass release, available via the Ultimate and PC tiers of the service.Doom: The Dark Agesalso comes with Xbox Cloud Gaming support, allowing XGP Ultimate members to stream it via a supported device.
Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo
Console
Jun 26
Day-one (console) release. Available on PC Game Pass since October 2021.
Day-one release.
Doom: The Dark Ages Is Getting Rave Reviews
The game’s early reception has been overwhelmingly positive, as highlighted by its “Mighty” rating on OpenCritic, derived from an average score of 86 and a near-perfect 96% recommendation rate. Manyreviewers praisedDoom: The Dark Agesfor its addition of the Shield Saw and the accompanying parry system, which serves as a fresh twist on the series' trademark brutality and fast-paced action. The game was also lauded for its customization options, exploration-encouraging level design, high replay value, and various quality-of-life features, including point-of-no-return indicators and granular difficulty settings.Doom: The Dark Agesalso holds “Very Positive” reviews on Steam right now, based on over 4,300 player impressions.
When Will Doom: The Dark Ages Come to Xbox Game Pass Standard?
Doom: The Dark Agesis not expected to join the Xbox Game Pass Standard catalog before late 2025 and may not arrive until 2026. When Microsoft restructured its subscription tiers in September 2024, the company indicated that the timing of XGP Standard additions relative to their day-one releases on the Ultimate tier would be determined on a case-by-case basis. However, most delays are expected to range between six and twelve months. Based on that guidance,Doom: The Dark Agesis projected to be added to Xbox Game Pass Standard between November 2025 and May 2026.
At least fivemore titles are coming to Xbox Game Pass in May 2025. The first of those isKulebra and the Souls of Limbo, a distinctive-looking indie that will debut on the service tomorrow, May 16.Firefighting Simulator: The SquadandPolice Simulator: Patrol Officersare then scheduled to arrive four days later, followed byTo A Ton May 28. Lastly,Spray Paint Simulatorhas recently been confirmed for May 29. Except for the two public service simulation games, all of these upcoming titles are day-one releases.
