Bethesda Softworks is doing a top-notch job at keeping the conversation going around its upcoming games, even while keeping its marketing subtle this time around. A second Doom: The Dark Ages trailer was just released, and although we are still a few weeks away from its May 13, 2025 release date, we’ve got our ears up for all the details surrounding its launch. Early DOOM demo gameplay impressions have already begun pouring in and the title is shaping up to be the perfect balance between exploration and combat.

At the moment, most of the conversation around Bethesda’s releases surround the not-so-secret shadow drop of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion console game and its ominous livestream scheduled on April 22, 2025, but we’ll get to it when we know more later in the day. For now, let’s explore the new DOOM: The Dark Ages trailer and see what it has to offer.

DOOM The Dark Ages preview

The new DOOM trailer is living up to our expectations but will the game manage to do the same?

A Second DOOM: The Dark Ages Trailer Makes a Debut

DOOM: The Dark Ages was officially confirmed during a Microsoft Xbox showcase in June last year, and since then, we’ve been waiting for the game to arrive in 2025. Designed as a prequel to the DOOM (2016) reboot, adding more lore to the long legacy of the DOOM (1993) series. 

Developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks, DOOM: The Dark Ages releases in a few weeks on May 15, 2025. 

For the specifics of the release, we have a couple of details to offer:

  • Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and possibly the Nintendo Switch 2
  • PC Features: Support for NVIDIA DLSS 4 Frame Generation with path tracing
  • Availability: Available on Xbox Game Pass on day one
  • Genre: Sci-fi medieval single-player, first-person shooter with an emphasis on melee-heavy combat systems
  • Is it open world: No, but it does focus on some world exploration

The cinematic trailer release has more to do with building up curiosity around the DOOM: The Dark Ages story rather than its combat or in-game mechanisms, but it wasn’t short of gunfire and explosions either.

What the Second DOOM The Dark Ages Trailer Showcased

Keeping with tradition of the game’s setting and aesthetics, the DOOM: The Dark Ages preview is heavily centered around its demonic devil characters, with a focus on the more suave leader. The demons continue on their rampage against the humans until the defenders, in their powered up suits, decide to activate the aptly named Slayer. 

Once the Slayer enters the battlefield, the first-person POV takes over, showing just how much damage we can expect to deal to our enemies in game. DOOM’s melee combat system also gets some attention, although the focus remains on dealing damage from a distance rather than up close. Defeating the spawns of hell is not a task for the weak hearted but for DOOM players, we expect it to be another regular Tuesday. 

Just like the first time we heard the game announced, the feature we’re most excited about is the dragons, and we’re excited to see how they tie into the gameplay. The new DOOM trailer asks us to stand and fight, so stand and fight we shall.

DOOM The Dark Ages gameplay

Is DOOM: The Dark Ages a Multiplayer?

No it is not, and this was a decision made right at the start of development, according to id Software’s Hugo Martin. Speaking to GamesRader+, Martin revealed that the developers tried to focus all of their energy on making this the best campaign possible, instead of spreading out their resources too thin trying to fit the multiplayer component somewhere in there. 

He explained “with Eternal, we wanted to put mechs in the game. There were things we wanted to do with Eternal.” Adding a half-hearted multiplayer feature would have disappointed fans with its shortcomings, and the developers were not willing to go all in on a live service game, making the single-player format the best option, both for the developers and players.

Is DOOM: The Dark Ages an Open-World Game?

One question that fans have been asking is whether the DOOM gameplay involves open-world exploration. To put it simply, no it doesn’t involve an entirely open-world design. In a more detailed answer, we’d say that there is some facet of exploration involved, particularly when it comes to powering up and unlocking upgrades for characters.

“It goes from the typical linear DOOM to these large sandboxes where the exploration opens up, and you get multiple objectives that can be tackled in any order,” Marty Stratton from id Software told Wccftech.

There appears to be some room for independent reorientation of what you want to do next in the game rather than follow the linear story and gameplay direction the whole time. Exploring the battlefield is about to become more entertaining.

DOOM The Dark Ages combat

The combat system in Dark Ages will be central to the experience of enjoying the game and it looks loud, violent, and action-packed, for those interested in giving it a shot.

Does DOOM Have Melee Combat?

In a game that focuses on a character lovingly called Doom Guy, or Mr. Doom if you prefer to be more formal, it would be sacrilege to write about it and not bring up the combat. There’s a throwable chain-saw shield hybrid that’s nifty and eye-catching, heavy hitting maces for some hands-on damage, a new parry mechanic to counter enemy attacks, a grotesque skull grinder for some gore-heavy fighting, and even a massive crossbow if that’s how you like to play.

We expect the shotgun to be the default for most players who make their way through the game but a plasma rifle or two won’t hurt anyone’s chances of decimating their enemies. The DOOM gameplay impressions speak highly of the high-powered enemies who bring a range of strengths into the arena, which will be interesting to see in the game. 

Oh and did we mention rideable dragons? We might have but yes, there are rideable dragons for aerial attacks and a giant Altan mech for taking out more massive opponents. The game is expected to be more accessible to new players who want to bring down the intensity of the fights by tweaking enemy aggression, but we don’t think this will detract from the game’s appeal.

How Do Fans Feel About DOOM The Dark Ages? First Impressions And Expectations

The DOOM: The Dark Ages preview has the majority of fans excited about the upcoming game, and most are excited to see the Doom Guy blast through his enemies once more. The general reception has been one of joy and excitement, however, there are some concerns around the game’s pricing and whether the developers will really be able to pull off the game successfully. 

There are the occasional oddball gamers who’ve written the new DOOM game off as “officially a product for the modern, feminist audience,” but after the early reception that games like Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Ghost of Yōtei have seen, we’re not surprised that a hint of a female character can send the alarm bells ringing for many.

Are We Excited to See the New DOOM Game?

The DOOM: The Dark Ages trailer was a big hit with our team and most are excited to see how the actual game takes shape next month. A reference to the game made an appearance on Wrestlemania 41 recently, and there is also a new DOOM-themed Xbox console on its way for those who want to fully embrace the hype around its release. 

You can pre-order your copy right now if you want to get in early and get a Void Doom Slayer skin at launch. The Standard edition of DOOM: The Dark Ages is priced at $69.99. The Premium edition is priced at $99.99 and will give you 2-day early access on May 13, 2025. The Collector’s Bundle comes with some additional goodies like a 12” Doom Slayer statue, a Key card replica, and Campaign DLC access, and will cost you $199.99.

Depending on how excited you are about its release, you can go place your orders right now.

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