DOOM: The Darkish Ages remains to be a number of weeks away, launching on Might fifteenth for Xbox Collection X/S, PS5, and PC alongside Sport Move. Nevertheless, the hype has been boiling over (after which some) since its showcase final January. Each new element has us extra excited to dive into this period of the Slayer, however how does it differ from his final demon-crushing journey, 2020’s DOOM Everlasting? For those who’re an enormous fan of the latter, what are a number of the largest adjustments to look ahead to (and adapt)? Let’s go over 15 of them right here.
Prequel vs. Sequel
By now, it must be recognized, however for these confused about its placement within the timeline, DOOM: The Darkish Ages happens earlier than DOOM (2016). DOOM Everlasting is a sequel to the latter and sees the Slayer returning to Earth to fend off the invasion by demonic forces. The Darkish Ages, however, explores his time with the Evening Sentinels, grew to become the Slayer of legend, and waged struggle towards Hell.
id Tech Engine enhancements
The Darkish Ages very a lot retains the macabre and metallic artwork course of earlier titles albeit with a medieval fantasy twist. Nevertheless, it’s additionally pushing for extra constancy, implementing ray-traced international illumination, which meshes higher with the physics-driven objects, and ray-traced reflections, which had been additionally seen in Everlasting. In fact, the bigger scale, LODs, and better enemy counts are nothing to scoff at.
Tank vs. Fighter Jet
Ask anybody what the most important change from DOOM (2016) to Everlasting was, they usually’ll in all probability reply, “Mobility.” The Tremendous Shotgun’s grappling hook enabled every kind of air strafing tech and fed into the loop of seamlessly transitioning from kill to kill to kill. By comparability, the Slayer in The Darkish Ages is tankier and heavier, together with his footsteps actually thumping on the bottom as he walks. That doesn’t imply he can’t sprint or cost at blinding speeds together with his Defend Noticed to bash a demon’s mind in, however the general movement is extra grounded than Everlasting.
Parrying vs. Grappling Round
Including to this can be a heavier give attention to blocking harm and parrying with the brand new Defend Noticed in The Darkish Ages, particularly when coping with sure enemy projectiles. It’s a reasonably distinct shift in comparison with all of the flying round from Everlasting, however to date, there’s been nothing however reward over the parrying mechanics and slamming monsters within the face.
Weapon Adjustments
A number of weapons carry over from DOOM (2016) and Everlasting to The Darkish Ages, together with the Shotgun, Tremendous Shotgun (although you may’t zip round, grappling demons) and Rocket Launcher. Nevertheless, there are many new instruments to make life depressing for the forces of Hell, together with the Railspike and Skullcrusher. The Heavy Rifle, sadly, didn’t make the bounce, however what in regards to the revamped weapons? As an alternative of the Plasma Rifle, there’s the Accelerator, which is extra of an SMG with a fast hearth charge and fewer vary.
Piloting an Atlan Mech
The Atlan mech, present as merely a prop in earlier titles, is now absolutely playable in The Darkish Ages. Actually, that must be a promoting level by itself, however the truth that it additionally will get a large Chaingun, which seemingly has its personal separate crew? Magnifique.
New Enemies
Keep in mind the Marauder? In fact, you do. This elite foe created a divide amongst gamers in Everlasting – some thought of it too punishing, whereas others felt it was the correct quantity of problem. The Darkish Ages has its personal Marauder-tier foe known as the Agadon Hunter, who has a double-bladed employees and protect however requires parrying in Sekiro-like style when he busts out the combos. Amongst different threats are the Titans, and whereas they technically appeared in earlier video games, that is the primary time gamers will struggle them within the Atlan mech.
Defend Noticed vs. Chainsaw
Sadly, the chainsaw isn’t in The Darkish Ages, as an alternative changed by the brand new Defend Noticed. Whereas the previous is nice for acquiring ammo from slain enemies, the latter provides a wider diploma of performance, like bouncing off of a number of enemies. For those who toss it at a heavier enemy, the Defend Noticed will embed itself and briefly stun it for extra brutal harm.
New Melee Choices
Between the Chainsaw, Crucible, and Blood Punch (not together with the Sentinel Hammer from the DLC), DOOM Everlasting had a reasonably wholesome variety of melee choices. The Darkish Ages isn’t any slouch – alongside the Defend, you may slam enemies with a mace, flail or gauntlet, every with its personal makes use of. Nevertheless, to refill their makes use of, it is advisable to parry enemies. It’s an identical useful resource gathering loop to Everlasting however with completely different steps.
Glory Kill Adjustments
Glory Kills stay one of many cooler additions to the franchise – there’s nothing fairly like executing a weakened enemy in excessively brutal methods, particularly for that invincibility window. Nevertheless, in The Darkish Ages, Glory Kills at the moment are unsynced and received’t lock you into an animation, permitting for a unique form of movement.
Extra Open Ranges
DOOM: The Darkish Ages provides a lot larger ranges than any title within the franchise. Siege, not too long ago revealed in varied previews, is an ideal instance, unfolding over a battlefield with varied targets and enemy camps. And whereas DOOM Everlasting is stuffed with secrets and techniques, The Darkish Ages’ “hour or so” time per stage can grow to be even longer when you’re scouring for collectibles, upgrades and whatnot.
Multiplayer vs. No Multiplayer
Earlier DOOMs dabbled with multiplayer in several methods, typically to a blended response. Everlasting was meant to have Invasion-style mechanics however ultimately settled for the uneven BattleMode the place two gamers, controlling demons, fought towards one enjoying because the Slayer. The Darkish Ages doesn’t characteristic any multiplayer, with id Software program specializing in the marketing campaign and implementing mechanics just like the Atlan mech and mount as an alternative.
Customizable Problem
I’m Too Younger to Die. Harm Me A lot. Extremely-Violence. And Nightmare. These are the important thing components that make up the problem spectrum in DOOM (2016) and Everlasting. With The Darkish Ages, id goes for one thing far more granular. You’ll be able to modify harm acquired, harm dealt, enemy aggression, targetting help, parry window – even the general velocity of the sport and the variety of assets dropped. There are nonetheless presets, however having the ability to fine-tune the mechanics like this can be a much-welcome addition.
Extra Cutscenes
Everlasting had its share of cutscenes, however DOOM: The Darkish Ages is ramping up its utilization and story-telling focus far more. One of many extra promising outcomes of this strategy is id taking the narrative into the cutscenes, as director Hugo Martin describes. And contemplating how complicated the lore of the DOOM timeline is, we’re seemingly in for a deal with.
Marketing campaign Size
In line with HowLongToBeat, DOOM Everlasting takes about 14.5 hours on common to finish the primary story. It may go as much as 28.5 hours for completionists, and the DLC provides one other 13 hours or so when you attempt to discover all the pieces. Whereas id Software program hasn’t confirmed The Darkish Ages’ playtime, it’s hyped because the longest marketing campaign for the collection but. With a heavier emphasis on story-telling, this may very well be an FPS marketing campaign for the ages.
