DOOM: The Dark Ages gets a short "sizzle" of gameplay today from Xbox's Developer Direct. Arriving in May of this year, The Dark Ages is a prequel to 2016's DOOM. Let's dive into hell and see what's going on.

I remember the first time I played classic DOOM as a kid - massive demons, heavy firepower, and gruesome bloody action; Not to mention the terrifying jump-scares playing that as a kid, what a wild intro to PC Gaming. The latest entry, DOOM: The Dark Ages, stirs that same excitement, then cranks it up a notch with a medieval setting with swords, spiked flails, mechs, and even a cybernetic dragon. Personally, super excited to get yet another new DOOM game.

Combat with a Medieval Twist

The Slayer is definitely going to feels different this time around - less nimble jet fighter, more iron tank. The emphasis on melee sets it apart from DOOM Eternal, with a fresh skill tree and new gadgets. One highlight is the Shield Saw. It can defend you from incoming fire, sever enemy heads at a distance, and help you climb around broken terrain. Another standout is the giant flail, big enough to stagger anything unlucky enough to stand in your way.

That’s not to say guns are gone. The double-barrel shotgun returns alongside experimental firearms, including one that breaks down skulls to forge its rounds which is absolutely badass.

Mechs and Monsters

It’s not every day you see a towering mech fighting a demon the size of a building. The new Atlan suit looks huge and packs an arsenal to match, delivering city-leveling hits in some of the biggest fights DOOM has ever featured. Then there’s the cyber-dragon, a monstrous winged ally with mounted gatling guns, ready to tear through the demon hordes from the air. Each of these fearsome companions has an upgrade path, so that sense of raw power only grows stronger the more you use them.

Exploring a Vast Realm

Maps in DOOM: The Dark Ages aren’t confined corridors. There’s room to roam, find loot, and unlock hidden secrets. I’ve always liked hunting for Easter eggs in DOOM, and now our curiosity is rewarded with new items, upgrades, and gear. The Shield Saw also doubles as a traversal tool for scaling broken fortresses or uncovering treasure in sealed chambers. Hell yes!

A Glimpse into the Slayer’s Past

The story picks up with the Slayer imprisoned, and the world on the brink of catastrophe. There’s a cast of new characters, plus plenty of old foes with even nastier forms. The tale leads directly into the events of DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, so fans will see how the legend truly began.

Launch Day Approaches

DOOM: The Dark Ages releases May 15 on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Xbox App and Steam), and PlayStation 5. It’s also arriving on Game Pass day one. So are you going to be jumping back in time and taking DOOM: The Dark Ages for a spin?