Doom: The Dark Ages

Lore & Background

Doom: The Dark Ages is a prequel to Doom (2016), following the Doom Slayer's efforts to combat a demonic invasion of the planet Argent D'Nur. The narrative places greater emphasis on storytelling, with more cutscenes and character development, providing deeper insight into the Slayer's origins. The main campaign sees the Slayer weaponized by the alien Maykrs to assist the Night Sentinels against Hell, while struggling against a device called a Tether that suppresses his free will. The plot involves the demon Prince Ahzrak seeking the Heart of Argent, and the Slayer's eventual rebellion against his master Kreed Maykr.

Reader's Guide

Doom: The Dark Ages is significant as the eighth main entry in the Doom franchise, released on May 15, 2025, to positive reviews that praised its combat systems and setting. It represents a deliberate departure from the acrobatic combat of Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, instead portraying the Doom Slayer as an 'iron tank' with enhanced melee options, a slow-motion glory kill feature, and the new Shield Saw for blocking, parrying, and attacking. The game is the first in the series to allow players to pilot vehicles, including a cybernetic dragon and a 30-story Atlan mech. An expansion pack, Revelations, was released on July 7, 2026, which explores the Slayer's guilt over a past incident on Earth and leads to the creation of his iconic Praetor Suit. The game uses the id Tech 8 engine with advanced game physics including destructible environments, and its music was handled by Finishing Move Inc., with the Revelations DLC featuring vocals by Whitechapel's Phil Bozeman.

Did You Know?

• Doom: The Dark Ages is the first Doom game to allow players to pilot vehicles, such as a cybernetic dragon and a 30-story Atlan mech.
• The game's expansion, Revelations, was released on July 7, 2026.
• The Shield Saw allows for blocking, parrying, and attacking within a single input.
• The game uses the id Tech 8 engine and features destructible environments.