Doom: The Dark Ages Launches Next Week For PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC
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DOOM: THE DARK AGES UNLEASHES MEDIEVAL HELL NEXT WEEK
Bethesda’s medieval-themed prequel brings new weapons, mounts, and origins story on May 15
Hell’s Forces Invade the Medieval Realm
Doom: The Dark Ages, id Software’s ambitious prequel to their acclaimed 2016 reboot, is set to launch on May 15, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms. Players who pre-order the Premium or Collector’s Editions can begin slaying demons two days early on May 13.
The title will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass, part of Microsoft’s strategy to maximize the franchise’s reach despite their ownership of Bethesda. As Xbox head Phil Spencer noted, “Doom is a franchise that everyone deserves to play,” explaining the decision to maintain the series’ multi-platform tradition rather than making it Xbox-exclusive.
Slayer Origins: A New Chapter in DOOM Lore
Unlike previous entries in the franchise, The Dark Ages places a stronger emphasis on storytelling, diving deep into the Doom Slayer’s origins as the “super weapon of gods and kings.” The narrative explores his early battles against Hell’s armies and introduces Ahzrak, a primary antagonist determined to destroy the Slayer to become the sole feared entity in this dark realm.
For longtime fans, the game promises to fill crucial narrative gaps between Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, while simultaneously serving as “a perfect entry point for new players” curious about the franchise’s lore.
Combat Evolution: From Fighter Jet to Iron Tank
The Dark Ages marks a significant shift in Doom’s combat philosophy. While Doom Eternal emphasized acrobatic mobility, this prequel adopts a more grounded “stand and fight” approach. The Doom Slayer moves as an “iron tank” rather than a “fighter jet,” creating a combat experience more reminiscent of the original Doom’s methodical power fantasy.
The arsenal expands with medieval-inspired additions alongside returning favorites like the Super Shotgun and Rail Spike. New weapons include the Shield Saw—a versatile tool capable of blocking, parrying, and boomerang-like attacks—and the Skull Crusher, which fires superheated bone shards. Players will also wield melee weapons including a spiked flail, iron mace, and electrified gauntlet.
Glory Kills receive a significant overhaul with an “unsynced” system that allows for fluid, physics-based executions of multiple staggered enemies, moving beyond the canned animations of previous titles.
Ride Into Battle: Mounts and Mechs
For the first time in the franchise, players will command vehicles including a cybernetic dragon equipped with guns and fire-breathing capabilities for aerial combat. More impressively, the game features the Atlan Mech, a towering 30-story war machine designed for battling kaiju-sized demons, capable of smashing buildings and crushing hordes of enemies.
Accessibility and Game Structure
The Dark Ages introduces adjustable difficulty sliders, allowing players to fine-tune parameters like parry windows, projectile speeds, enemy aggression, and game speed. This customization has sparked some debate within the community, though most see it as a welcome step toward making the game more accessible.
Unlike its predecessors, The Dark Ages is exclusively single-player, a decision made early in development to focus resources on creating what id Software claims is “the largest Doom campaign to date.” The developer has already announced plans for at least two major story expansions within the first year following release.
Behind the Scenes
Development on The Dark Ages began shortly after the completion of Doom Eternal’s final DLC in March 2021, with full production ramping up by August 2022. The game runs on id Tech 8, the latest iteration of id Software’s proprietary engine.
Series veterans Hugo Martin and Marty Stratton return as Game Director and Executive Producer respectively. Notably absent is composer Mick Gordon, whose departure follows a public falling out with Bethesda. Finishing Move Inc. has taken over soundtrack duties, aiming to maintain the series’ signature metal-driven intensity.
How to Play
Doom: The Dark Ages will be available in three editions: Standard ($69.99), Premium ($99.99), and Collector’s Edition. The Premium Edition includes two days of early access, campaign DLC, a digital artbook and soundtrack, plus the Divinity Skin Pack. The Collector’s Edition adds physical items including a 12-inch Doom Slayer statue, steelbook case, and in-game keycard replicas.
All pre-orders include the exclusive Void DOOM Slayer Skin, with pre-orders available now through major retailers including Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, GameStop, and Amazon.
Our Take
The Dark Ages represents id Software’s most ambitious evolution of the Doom formula yet. By exploring the Slayer’s origins through a medieval-sci-fi lens, the developer is simultaneously expanding the franchise’s narrative depth while reimagining its core combat. The introduction of mounts, mechs, and a revamped approach to glory kills suggests a fresh experience that still honors what made the 2016 reboot so successful.
For a franchise approaching its 30th anniversary, Doom continues to demonstrate remarkable vitality. Whether The Dark Ages ultimately succeeds in its balancing act between innovation and tradition remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: May 15 can’t come soon enough for fans eager to rip and tear through another layer of Hell’s armies.
Quick Facts
- Release Date: May 15, 2025 (Early Access: May 13)
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam, Microsoft Store, Battle.net)
- Developer: id Software
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
- Game Pass: Available day one
- Price: $69.99 (Standard), $99.99 (Premium)
Stay tuned for our in-depth review next week when the embargo lifts.
