That is the place The Darkish Ages actually breaks free from expectation. In my last (and longest) part of the demo, I’m positioned into id’s tackle a sandbox open zone and instructed to strategy it nonetheless I’d like. My solitary objective is to shut 5 demon-spewing portals, however how I do it, and what diversions I take, are solely as much as me. Over the course of an hour, I’m repeatedly reminded that I’ve by no means performed a DOOM recreation like this earlier than.
As you’d hope for, this sandbox sequence is stacked with optionally available objectives – closely protected artillery batteries to take out, caches of gold to spend on upgrades, and extra. At one level, I’m merely working someplace, when a cathedral-sized tentacle bursts out of the bottom and begins to assault – this isn’t a scripted second, and even an goal I’m given, it’s simply one other shock hidden alongside the best way.
However the core goals themselves maintain surprises, too. In that first story mission, closing portals was merely a case of clearing an area, however it’s by no means fairly the identical on this case. Some portals transport me to a dungeon, requiring me to unravel puzzles with a view to discover my solution to the vitality supply powering them. Others introduce Chief enemies – overpowered beasts who’re invulnerable to my assaults till I kill sufficient of their followers, and include everlasting upgrades after your victory. Alongside the best way, I discover new weapons, augmenting my armory with new choices. It’s restlessly, relentlessly ingenious, as if id has been ready for a possibility to transplant new concepts into the DOOM format.
And that’s the important thing takeaway from my full session with DOOM: The Darkish Ages – this appears like a developer brimming with enthusiasm, not only for DOOM itself, however for what DOOM may be. I used to be anticipating a brand new story, new weapons, and new demons – I wasn’t anticipating new genres. I can’t wait to search out out what else this group has in retailer.
DOOM: The Darkish Ages launches for Xbox Sequence X|S, PC (by way of the Xbox app for Home windows PC, Steam, and Battle.web), PlayStation 5, and cloud on Might 15, 2025. Will probably be obtainable day one with Recreation Cross.
