Exploring DOOM: The Dark Ages – A Hands-On Experience with Storytelling, Sandboxes, Mechs, and Dragons

What truly sets The Dark Ages apart is how it shatters expectations. In the last section of the demo, which happens to be the longest, I’m thrust into id Software’s interpretation of a sandbox open zone. Here, I’m encouraged to explore it any way I see fit. The sole mission is to shut down five portals that release demons, but how I achieve this and the diversions I choose are left entirely to my discretion. Throughout the hour-long play, I consistently find myself realizing that this isn’t like any DOOM game I’ve played before.

True to what you’d hope for in a sandbox setting, this sequence is packed with optional objectives. There are heavily guarded artillery batteries to destroy, caches of gold to discover and use for upgrades, and so much more. At one point, as I’m just making my way through, a massive tentacle erupts from the ground, attacking furiously. This isn’t part of any scripted event or objective—it’s just a spontaneous surprise waiting to be uncovered.

The core missions themselves are filled with unexpected twists. In that initial story task, closing portals was all about clearing out an arena. However, that’s not always the case here. Some portals whisk me away to dungeons, where solving puzzles is essential to locate their power sources. Other times, I face Leader enemies—powerful foes impervious to my weapons until I’ve dispatched enough of their minions. Defeating them gifts me with permanent upgrades. As I advance, I come across new weapons, expanding my arsenal with fresh choices. This experience is constantly, restlessly inventive, almost as if id Software has been eager to breathe new ideas into the DOOM genre.

And that’s the main takeaway from my extensive session with DOOM: The Dark Ages: this is a developer bursting with excitement, not just for DOOM as it stands, but for what it has the potential to become. I anticipated a new storyline, fresh weapons, and novel enemies—I didn’t expect to encounter whole new gameplay genres. I’m eager to discover what else this talented team has up their sleeves.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is set to release on May 15, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, PC (accessible through the Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, and Battle.net), PlayStation 5, and via cloud gaming. It will be available from day one with Game Pass.