DOOM: The Dark Ages – Exploring Storyline, Open Worlds, Mechs, and Dragons Firsthand

This is where The Dark Ages totally shatters expectations. In the demo’s final and most extensive part, I find myself immersed in id’s vision of a sandbox open zone, free to explore as I please. My primary objective? Shut down five demon-spewing portals. How I achieve this and the distractions I choose to pursue along the way are entirely up to me. Throughout this hour-long adventure, it becomes clear that I’ve never experienced a DOOM game quite like this.

As one would hope, this sandbox section is loaded with optional goals. There are heavily guarded artillery batteries to dismantle, gold caches waiting to be discovered and used for upgrades, and plenty more. As I dash through this dynamic world, suddenly, a towering tentacle erupts from the ground, attacking without warning. This isn’t part of a scripted sequence or even a task on my list; it’s just another unexpected twist in this remarkable landscape.

The core missions themselves are far from predictable. In that initial story quest, closing portals was as straightforward as clearing out an arena. Here, though, it’s a different ball game. Some portals whisk me away to dungeons where puzzles stand between me and the energy sources I need to disable. Other portals bring out Leader enemies—powerful creatures immune to my attacks until I’ve taken down enough of their minions. Defeating these threats rewards me with permanent upgrades. As I push forward, I accumulate new weapons, continuously expanding my arsenal. The creativity feels almost endless, as if id has been eager to infuse the DOOM experience with fresh, groundbreaking ideas.

That’s the crucial insight from my time with DOOM: The Dark Ages—this title exudes an enthusiasm that extends beyond the familiar universe of DOOM. It’s not just about a new storyline, new armaments, and new nightmarish creatures; it’s about expanding the very essence of what DOOM can offer. I’m truly excited to uncover what other surprises id has tucked away for us.

Mark your calendars for May 15, 2025, when DOOM: The Dark Ages drops on Xbox Series X|S, PC through the Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, and Battle.net, PlayStation 5, and cloud. Plus, it will be available on Game Pass from day one.