A new trailer forDOOM: The Dark Ageswas released, and its focus may be a surprise to a lot ofDOOMfans. The rebootedDOOMseries, now a trilogy, has reinvigorated a lot of interest in this long-running classic franchise, with its fast gameplay and intense arena-based standoffs with a variety of creatures from Hell. But, this new trailer takes a different approach, one that is similar to the new theme of the game being: “Stand and fight.”
In the new trailer posted byBethesda Softworks, there isquite a lot of focus on the game’s narrative and loreover the game’s intense combat, though that is still present as well. The video description describes the game’s narrative as"an epic cinematic story worthy of the DOOM Slayer’s legend.“The game is a prequel to the other titles in the rebooted series, with this game having a medieval style and, judging by this trailer, is set to possibly explore the DOOM Slayer’s origin.
Everything We Know About DOOM: The Dark Ages
Slower-Paced Combat And A Lot Of Demons
DOOM: The Dark Ageswill take place before the DOOM Slayer was sealed on Mars, and after this trailer, it definitely appears to beexploring the lore and characterizations of the game’s demons. The trailer alsoexplores more of the DOOM Slayer himself, with him being a walking death machine. The narrator of the trailer says,“the slayer has been activated,“making him appear less human and under the control of a cosmic deity, and also solidifying DOOM Slayer himself as a prisoner.
DOOM: Eternalsaw the franchise speed up, with high-velocity action and a high degree of verticality.Dark Agesis taking the opposite approach, with more grounded combat and a less experienced DOOM Slayer. In ourpreview ofDOOM: The Dark Ages, our writer noted that the game still feels fast and has a larger open-level design than the previous entries, saying:“fast-paced as the others, with a keen sense of natural exploration driving the player to explore the larger labyrinths and sandbox-style maps.”
Our Take: This New Trailer Is A Turning Point ForDOOM
The Dark AgesMay Be The Game Long-Time DOOM Fans Have Been Waiting For
DOOM: The Dark Agesis set to be even more raw and violent than past entries. With an emphasis on the game’s expansive lore and origin story of the long-time series protagonist,this entry may be the game fans have wanted to see for a long time. The addition of the shield and new melee mechanics may help address some previous concerns withDoom Slayer always running instead of focusing on meleeor demonstrating his unchecked power.
While some fans may be wary ofDOOM: The Dark Agesmaking a large pivot from the previous entry, withDark Agesbeing grounded andEternalfeaturing fast-paced aerial combat and platforming, it looks like this new entry is going to be different enough to keep things fresh without the series becoming stale and also keeping its core identity. Either way, we don’t have long to wait to “stand and fight” the demons of Hell when the game releases on May 15.
