DOOM: The Dark Ages – Exploring Storylines, Open Worlds, Mechs, and Dragons Hands-On

The experience with The Dark Ages left me genuinely surprised. In the last and longest segment of the demo, I found myself in id’s version of a sandbox open zone, free to explore however I preferred. My main task was straightforward: shut down five demon-spewing portals. Yet, the way I approached this, and the distractions I indulged in, were entirely my decision. Throughout that hour, it became clear this wasn’t the typical DOOM experience I was used to.

This sandbox adventure is packed with optional challenges, just as you’d hope—there are heavily defended artillery spots to dismantle, stashes of gold perfect for upgrading gear, and much more. At one moment, while I was just making my way through, a gigantic, cathedral-like tentacle suddenly erupted from the ground, ready to attack. This wasn’t a planned event or part of any objective I was given—just one of the many surprises lurking around.

Even the main goals came with unexpected twists. In the initial story mission, closing portals was nothing more than clearing an arena, but that didn’t hold true this time around. Certain portals whisked me away to dungeons where I faced puzzles to uncover the energy sources within. Others presented Leader enemies, formidable foes immune to my attacks until I dealt with their minions, rewarding me with lasting upgrades upon defeating them. Along my journey, I discovered new weapons, adding exciting options to my arsenal. The creativity was endless, as if id had been eagerly waiting to inject a breath of fresh ideas into the DOOM series.

Reflecting on my full session with DOOM: The Dark Ages, the most striking aspect is how the developers seem so enthused, not only about DOOM itself but about the potential directions it could take. I expected a fresh storyline, weapons, and demons—I didn’t anticipate whole new gameplay genres. I’m eager to see what else this team has in store.

Mark your calendars for the release of DOOM: The Dark Ages on May 15, 2025. It’ll be available on Xbox Series X|S, PC (via the Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, and Battle.net), PlayStation 5, and cloud. Plus, you’ll find it on Game Pass from day one.