id Software / First-person shooter
Doom: The Dark Ages
A medieval prequel built around the Shield Saw, heavy weapons, an Atlan mech and a cybernetic dragon.
Scheduled release
Calendar-day countdown in UTC. Specific regional unlock times can differ.
The game at a glance
What you need to know
Released May 15, 2025, The Dark Ages explores an earlier chapter in the Slayer’s story. id Software contrasts its grounded combat with Eternal’s aerial movement. The Shield Saw supports blocking, parrying and ranged attacks.
Source review: · Check the publisher sources
- Developer
- id Software
- Publisher
- Bethesda Softworks
- Platforms
- PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X|S · PC
- Genre
- First-person shooter · Action · Dark Fantasy / Sci-Fi
Publisher information
Atlan and dragon
Large encounters feature a towering mech and a cybernetic dragon.
Read the source ↗Publisher information
Adjustable challenge
Difficulty sliders let players tune the challenge.
Read the source ↗GET TO KNOW THE GAME
Inside the experience.
The Slayer’s earlier war
The Dark Ages explores the Doom Slayer’s history through a medieval-inspired conflict. Its heavier combat rhythm is built around standing your ground and reading incoming attacks.
Master the Shield Saw
The shield combines blocking, throwing, parrying and deflecting. Melee options include a flail, an electrified gauntlet and a mace, creating openings for the arsenal of ranged weapons.
Beyond the ground battle
The campaign includes an Atlan mech and a cybernetic dragon. Exploration reveals secrets and upgrades, while adjustable challenge options let players tune the experience.
GO ONE LEVEL DEEPER
The player’s field guide.
Think about defense, melee and guns as a connected combat loop, with adjustable challenge to help you learn it.
Shield Saw fundamentals
The Shield Saw supports blocking, throwing, parrying and deflecting through contextual input. It gives the Slayer a way to confront incoming attacks and create an opening for a follow-up.
Three melee options
id Software identifies a flail, electrified gauntlet and spiked mace. These sit alongside ranged weapons and a revised Glory Kill system. An opening from the shield is a useful moment to think about the next tool.
Adjustable challenge
The developer presentation describes difficulty sliders, including game speed adjustments. Players can tune the challenge instead of treating one preset as the only valid way to experience the campaign.
Exploration and scale
The campaign includes secrets, upgrades, a cybernetic dragon and the Atlan mech. It is a prequel to DOOM (2016), with story presentation designed to welcome new players.
YOUR NEXT SESSION, READY.
Three things to do first.
Tick off your preparation. Progress stays on this device.
0 of 3 ready
PRIMARY SOURCES · CHECKED SEPTEMBER 15, 2026
id Software: Developer Direct presentationUseful companion pages
Guides for Doom: Dark Ages
Publisher footage
Official trailer
Publisher video, separate from Rayen’s channel uploads.
Related briefings
Common questions
When did DOOM: The Dark Ages launch?
It launched on May 15, 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Does it play exactly like DOOM Eternal?
The developer describes a different approach, emphasizing grounded combat and the Shield Saw.
Check the evidence
Sources & artwork
- Gameplay and mode overview ↗
Publisher material reviewed 2026-09-15
- Doom: The Dark Ages: publisher information ↗
Bethesda Softworks
Game artwork belongs to its publisher. Artwork source ↗. RayenPlaysGG is an independent creator site.
How facts and corrections are handled ↗KEEP EXPLORING
