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Doom: The Dark Ages (2025)

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Doom: The Dark Ages is a 2025 first-person shooter game developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks. It is the eighth main entry in the Doom franchise and the third installment of the modern series, following Doom Eternal (2020). The game is set many years prior to Doom (2016) and follows the Doom Slayer's efforts to save humanity during a war against Hell.

id Software began work on The Dark Ages following the completion of Doom Eternal's post-launch campaign The Ancient Gods in 2021, entering full production by August 2022. The game was announced in June 2024.

Doom: The Dark Ages was released on PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on May 15, 2025, with it being included as a day one launch for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. The game received generally positive reviews upon release, with praise for its story, atmosphere, gameplay, level and weapon design, and soundtrack. It reached 3 million players in its first week.
While previous entries in the Doom series, such as Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal (2020), focused on fast-paced, acrobatic combat, Doom: The Dark Ages shifts towards a heavier, more grounded combat experience, emphasizing strategic engagements. The Doom Slayer is portrayed as an "iron tank", equipped with enhanced melee options and a slow-motion glory kill feature for improved control during combat.The introduction of the Shield Saw allows for blocking, parrying, and attacking within a single input. Players can wield new weapons like the Skull Crusher, a gun that fires bone fragments at enemies. Melee weapons such as a gauntlet, an iron mace, and a flail, are available.The game is the first in the series to allow players to pilot vehicles, like a cybernetic dragon and a 30-story Atlan mech, to combat enemies during certain sections of the game.The narrative places a greater emphasis on storytelling, with more cutscenes and character development, providing a deeper insight into the Doom Slayer's origins.