The latest entry in the DOOM franchise, titled DOOM: The Dark Ages, launches July 7, throwing players back into the series’ brutal universe with a medieval-inspired twist. The game introduces new missions, monstrous enemies, and oversized weaponry designed to satisfy players who came to DOOM for visceral combat and explosive level design.

The game is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. It’s a single-player focused experience, returning to DOOM’s roots as a campaign-driven game rather than multiplayer-centric shooter.

Medieval DOOM Reimagined

DOOM: The Dark Ages leans into a gothic, medieval aesthetic that sits uneasily with the franchise’s signature sci-fi DNA, but that tension is intentional. The game juxtaposes brutalist stone architecture, demon summoning circles, and ancient runes against DOOM’s heavy metal violence and oversized weapons. It’s an odd mix, but it works as a thematic refresh for a series that’s been iterating on the same formula for years.

The enemy design has been reimagined around this medieval theme. Demons wear armor, wield medieval weapons, and feel more grounded than the cybernetic demons of earlier games. They’re still impossibly deadly and require constant movement and precision to defeat.

Combat and Level Design

DOOM’s combat formula remains unchanged—move fast, kill efficiently, grab pickups. The game rewards aggressive play. Hiding and camping don’t work. You must chain kills, maintain momentum, and keep a constant offense. The medieval setting doesn’t alter that core loop; it just changes the visual language.

Level design is vertical and maze-like, encouraging exploration and multiple pathways. There’s a sense of discovery as you unlock new areas and find secrets tucked away in castle ramparts and catacombs.

Graphics and Performance

DOOM: The Dark Ages is built on id Tech, the engine that powered the previous two DOOM games. The rendering is sharp and detailed, with dynamic lighting and particle effects that make combat feel visceral. On high-end hardware, the game runs at high frame rates with full ray tracing enabled.

For players on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, expect locked 60fps on the high-performance setting, or 30fps with all visual options maxed out. PC players have more granular control over performance vs. visual quality.

Campaign Length and Replayability

DOOM campaigns typically run 12-15 hours for a single playthrough. The Dark Ages follows that precedent, with branching paths and secrets rewarding exploration. New Game Plus mode and higher difficulty settings extend replayability.

DOOM: The Dark Ages launches July 7 on all platforms. If you’re looking for a brutal, fast-paced shooter campaign, it’s arriving today.

FYI

Is there multiplayer in DOOM: The Dark Ages?

No. The game focuses exclusively on campaign. Multiplayer was deprioritized to allow the team to build a stronger single-player experience, a shift back toward the original DOOM’s design philosophy.