PREVIEW – It’s time to gear up for some rip and tear action once again! Doom: The Dark Ages is set to explode onto the scene in 2025, and this time, the Doom Slayer will be taking on the forces of hell on behalf of gods and kings. Naturally, he’ll do it in his signature style. Here’s everything you need to know about the release date, gameplay, trailer, and more. 

The newest addition to the legendary FPS series (Doom reboot and Doom Eternal), Doom: The Dark Ages was officially revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2024. In this fresh shooter, players will defend a kingdom against demonic armies while exploring a fantasy-inspired map and shredding enemies with their trusty shotgun. 

New locations, fresh enemies, and a whole arsenal of unique weapons—there’s a lot to unpack here. To make your battle against hell a little easier, we’ve compiled all the essential details. Here’s everything you need to know about Doom: The Dark Ages—a game poised to become one of the most anticipated releases of 2025. 

Doom: The Dark Ages Release Window and Platforms

Doom: The Dark Ages is set to launch in 2025, as announced at the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase, accompanied by an exciting, cinematic trailer. 

While the exact release date is still under wraps, the mere fact that the game is arriving next year is thrilling news. In the meantime, there’s plenty of time to replay the earlier Doom games (check out our Doom Eternal review if you need a refresher) while counting down to what promises to be one of the biggest releases of 2025. 

Here’s more good news: the game will be available across multiple platforms, ensuring almost everyone gets a chance to take down some Cacodemons. Even better, Doom: The Dark Ages will be included in the Game Pass lineup, making it even more accessible. 

When it launches in 2025, the game will be available on PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PlayStation 5. In an era of increasing console exclusivity, it’s refreshing to know Doom: The Dark Ages won’t be locked to a single platform. 

The developers clearly understood the universal love for this iconic franchise and wanted to ensure it reached as many players as possible. Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, explained to IGN that he and id Software Studio Director Marty Stratton were determined to bring the game to everyone. 

“I asked Marty what his vision was, and he simply said, ‘Put it on all platforms.’ That was it,” Spencer shared. 

Doom: The Dark Ages Trailer

The Doom: The Dark Ages trailer offers a glimpse of the Doom Slayer’s exploits before the events of the Doom reboot. In the cinematic, he storms through burning castles, battles monstrous enemies, and obliterates waves of demons. 

The trailer showcases a fantasy-inspired setting, the Doom Slayer’s brand-new cape, and some of the incredible weapons players can expect. Naturally, the trusty shotgun makes an appearance, but the spotlight is also on creative additions like a chainsaw shield straight out of a slasher flick, a weapon that launches bone shards at enemies, and many other tools of destruction. 

Both the environments and enemies are colossal in scale—seriously, there are even demonic dragons in this trailer. It’s clear Doom is back and bolder than ever. If the game lives up to even half the hype generated by the trailer, Doom: The Dark Ages could easily earn its spot among the best shooters of all time. 

Doom: The Dark Ages Gameplay 

No surprises here: Doom: The Dark Ages is a single-player FPS through and through. What’s intriguing, though, is that this installment serves as a prequel to the 2016 Doom reboot and Doom Eternal. It takes us back to a time when the Doom Slayer was a weapon wielded by gods and kings. 

Gone are the high-tech weapons of Doom Eternal. In their place, you’ll wield brutal medieval tools like a skull-launching gun, a mace, and a chainsaw shield. While these elements may seem novel, long-time fans will find the core mechanics satisfyingly familiar. 

Creative Director Hugo Martin told GamesRadar+ that Doom: The Dark Ages takes gameplay back to the roots of the series. Every projectile matters, and strafing makes a triumphant return. 

“If Doom Eternal made you feel like an F22 fighter jet, this time you’ll feel like an Abrams tank,” Martin explained. “This means players will feel more grounded.” Players will dodge incoming fire—just like in the classic Doom games—and the focus on “strafing-to-aim” signals a shift back to horizontal gameplay, departing from the vertical combat of Doom Eternal. 

“For new players who discovered Doom with the reboot, I think The Dark Ages will feel like a reimagined combat system,” Martin said. “But for long-time fans who played the original Doom, they’ll see it’s a true return to form.” 

Martin also teased that Doom: The Dark Ages will feature “the biggest environments,” “the smartest AI,” and “the most satisfying weapons” ever seen in a Doom game. It’s a bold claim but an exciting one. Here’s hoping the game lives up to its promises. 

Can You Pre-Order Doom: The Dark Ages? 

At this time, pre-orders for Doom: The Dark Ages are not yet available. However, news about pre-orders is expected soon. 

Since the game is scheduled for a 2025 release, pre-orders will likely open in late 2024 across all platforms. Keep an eye on this page for updates! 

-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-