The Dark Ages Coming to PS5 on May 15 with New Gameplay Insights from id Software – PlayStation.Blog

Hello everybody! I’m Hugo Martin, the Game Director for Doom: The Dark Ages. I’m tuning in directly from id Software’s headquarters, where we’re in the final stages of refining this latest addition to the franchise. We’re excited beyond words for you to dive into it. As we approach the release date, we’ve put together a fresh gameplay preview for you. There’s plenty to discuss from the video, so let’s dive right in. I’m sure you have questions, and I’m here to shed some light…

What’s the new combat loop in Dark Ages, and how does it differ from Eternal or Doom (2016)?

To put it simply, it’s a hybrid of the two, infused with a fresh, medieval spin. Our aim is to marry the complexity of Eternal’s combat loop with the user-friendly controls familiar to Doom (2016) players. In Eternal, you had a lot of cool actions tied to individual inputs. Dark Ages introduces an arsenal of medieval moves, simplifying your button-mashing experience while maintaining that feeling of empowerment.

We’ve streamlined complexity and simplicity by designing the Shield-Saw’s behavior to shift based on what it interacts with. It adapts: bouncing off plasma shields to strike multiple foes (which feels fantastic), embedding in flesh to immobilize larger demons, or smashing armor to generate an area blast—all with one press of a button.

Think of it this way: it’s as though we’ve reduced the number of strings on the guitar but added more frets, keeping the mechanical challenge alive while giving you new skills to master. The moves rely on familiar FPS controls, creating a learning curve that feels natural. Each action looks and feels powerful, providing a strategic edge—visually exciting and mentally rewarding.

What do the “rings” around enemies indicate?

Those yellow rings signify falter indicators. In both Eternal and Doom (2016), mastering falters became a key strategy for top players—they found ways to stack attacks to stun-lock tough enemies, exactly as we intended. We’ve taken steps to clearly highlight when an enemy falters in Dark Ages, enabling more players to experiment with this mechanic to their advantage. While not essential for success, on higher difficulty settings, understanding falters gives you an edge—especially if you dare to tackle Ultra Nightmare.

More story in Doom?

Absolutely! Dark Ages emphasizes three core elements: combat, exploration, and story—each providing a compelling reason to play. It’s not that Doom fans don’t want a story; they crave a good one that amplifies the thrill, driving them to power through the campaign. With a solid narrative, we can create more formidable foes, expansive worlds to explore, and tough challenges to conquer.

Here’s the premise: At Dark Ages’ outset, the Slayer is imprisoned, causing a dramatic shift in the power balance between good and evil. Our protagonist is a feared outsider, his might controlled by divine forces, striving to protect a world threatened by ancient evil.

Set within the Doom Universe’s timeline, this prequel kicks off at the Slayer’s beginnings with the Sentinels. He’s an outsider, granted power by the Sentinel’s gods, the Maykrs, standing as a monumental force in a medieval war against hell’s hordes.

When does it come out?

May 15, 2025! We’re ecstatic for you to delve into what we believe could be the pinnacle of Doom games. With something for everyone—exciting combat, ample exploration, and an enthralling action story that enhances the Slayer’s legacy—there’s much to look forward to, including epic battles featuring the Atlan and fearsome dragons!

Thanks for tuning in—stay alert for more updates!