Exploring DOOM: The Dark Ages – A Hands-on Experience with Storytelling, Open Worlds, Mechs, and Dragons

The Dark Ages takes me on a wild ride, challenging everything I thought I knew about DOOM games. In the final part of the demo, which also happened to be the longest, I found myself in an open-world sandbox crafted by id Software. My sole mission was to shut down five demon-spewing portals, but how I got there, and the path I chose, was entirely up to my imagination. This hour-long experience had me feeling like I’d stepped into a completely new DOOM dimension.

This expansive sandbox is brimming with optional quests. There are heavily fortified artillery batteries to dismantle, hidden gold caches just waiting to be found and spent on upgrades, and much more. At one point, as I’m casually making my way across the terrain, a gigantic tentacle suddenly erupts from the ground and launches an attack. It’s not part of any script or objective—just one of the many surprises lurking in this expansive world.

The main missions themselves are full of twists. In my first story mission, closing portals had been a straightforward task of arena combat. But here, the dynamic changes. Some portals whisk me away to dungeons where puzzles stand between me and the energy source that keeps them active. Others introduce formidable Leader enemies. These overpowered beasts are untouchable until I defeat enough of their minions, and besting them grants me permanent upgrades. As I progress, I keep stumbling upon new weapons, expanding my arsenal. It’s a ceaselessly inventive approach, as if id has been waiting for the right moment to blend fresh ideas into the familiar DOOM framework.

The biggest takeaway from my time with DOOM: The Dark Ages is the palpable excitement and creativity of the developers, not just for DOOM itself, but for exploring new potentials within the franchise. I was prepared for a fresh storyline, new guns, and fiercer demons—not for this bold venture into different genres. I’m eagerly anticipating what else this imaginative team will bring to the table.

Mark your calendars for May 15, 2025, when DOOM: The Dark Ages launches across Xbox Series X|S, PC (via the Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, and Battle.net), PlayStation 5, and cloud. It’ll be available on day one for Game Pass subscribers.