Big Preview: Doom: The Dark Ages – Exclusive access and hands-on impressions with the fiery FPS

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After going hands-on with Doom: The Dark Ages and chatting with id Software, we report back from our exclusive access

A Doom: The Dark Ages Big Preview frame shows key art of the Doom Slayer tearing a horde of demons apart using the shield saw, super shotgun in his off-hand
(Image credit: Bethesda Softworks)
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When you think of blasting in gaming, you can't help but think of Doom. After all, the series has been home to some of the best FPS games since 1993, with many of those entries still feeling as good to play today. Doom: The Dark Ages looks to be continuing that reputation, all while refusing to simply offer more of the same. Instead, it evolves the demon-destroying series in new directions with its 'stand and fight' premise.

Key info

Developer: id Software
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X
Release date: May 15, 2025

With a shield and a parry of all things, and what appeared to be a slower pace, we knew we had to check it out when we got the invite. Spending three hours with various levels from different points in the Doom: The Dark Ages, we had a great introduction that answered a lot of the questions we had. And any queries that remained? We were able to put them to game director Hugo Martin and executive producer Marty Stratton right after. Now we get to share all that knowledge with you! So stick around as we dig deeper into Doom: The Dark Ages.

Keep reading to discover our Doom: The Dark Ages Big Preview, the best place to start getting stuck into one of the most anticipated new games of 2025.

Doom: The Dark Ages: The Big Preview

The Doom Slayer aims a super shotgun at a demonic enemy with an inverted cross helmet in Doom: The Dark Ages, in a Big Preview frame

(Image credit: Bethesda Softworks)
Cover Story

I didn't expect to say it, but Doom: The Dark Ages adding a shield and a parry somehow makes it feel more Doom than ever: 'nuff said, really, but the greatest thing we can say about the game is it feels as Doom as ever while also feeling really fresh. The shield dominates the combat loop this time around, but it feels like an essential piece of the puzzle you love to keep thinking about. It's different, but still Doom.

The video

Video

Doom: The Dark Ages new gameplay: You don't have to just read, you can watch too! While I played several levels, my capture focused on the Siege section, a wider and more sandbox-style stage than we're used to with Doom. Across 22 levels, though, there's plenty of variety to be had.

The interview

A barrage of enemy bullets flies towards the Doom Slayer in Doom: The Dark Ages, mostly consisting of red orbs except for one column of green which indicates it can be parried with the shield saw - with a frame for the GamesRadar+ Big Preview

(Image credit: Bethesda Softworks)
Interview

Doom: The Dark Ages' team found new inspiration from the original Doom: "We play it at the start of every project": Doom's developers are, like us, big Doom nerds. Speaking to game director Hugo Martin, we discuss id Software's approaching to honoring the legacy of Doom, and how revisiting the original influenced the core design pillars for how to evolve Doom: The Dark Ages.

An enemy approaches the Doom Slayer in Doom: The Dark Ages as their gun is raised, while in the background a gigantic titan demon fights a mech

(Image credit: Bethesda Softworks)
Dev access

Doom: The Dark Ages' weighty shield saw and gory melee are vital to its refreshed combat loop: "The guns are more like rhythm guitars this time": Like the other modern Doom games, Doom: The Dark Ages is all about the combat loop. Except this time, the shield and emphasis on melee have changed the feel of that cycle quite a bit. We talk to Hugo Martin and Marty Stratton about the update.

The Doom Slayer in Doom: The Dark ages, within a The Big Preview frame

(Image credit: Bethesda Softworks)
News

Doom: The Dark Ages doesn't have multiplayer because "it would definitely come at the expense of" the campaign: Unlike Doom Eternal, this new game doesn't have an online multiplayer battle mode, instead focusing on offering the biggest solo campaign to date. We talk to the devs about that shift in gears.

Doom: The Dark Ages guide

Doom: The Dark Ages key art featuring the slayer on top a pile of bodies with the ruins of hell behind them

(Image credit: Xbox/id Software)
Explainer

Doom: The Dark Ages guide: With the release date fast approaching, shield in hand, there's still plenty more to learn about the game beyond what's included in The Big Preview. Here, we collect together everything we know in one handy place, from release date to price and even how it plays! May can't come soon enough.

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Oscar Taylor-Kent
Oscar Taylor-Kent
Games Editor

Games Editor Oscar Taylor-Kent brings his Official PlayStation Magazine and PLAY knowledge to continue to revel in all things capital 'G' games. A noted PS Vita apologist, he's always got his fingers on many buttons, having also written for Edge, PC Gamer, SFX, Official Xbox Magazine, Kotaku, Waypoint, GamesMaster, PCGamesN, and Xbox, to name a few.

When not knee deep in character action games, he loves to get lost in an epic story across RPGs and visual novels. Recent favourites? Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree, 1000xResist, and Metaphor: ReFantazio! Rarely focused entirely on the new, the call to return to retro is constant, whether that's a quick evening speed through Sonic 3 & Knuckles or yet another Jakathon through Naughty Dog's PS2 masterpieces.

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