Doom: The Dark Ages Sets a Franchise High Bar

Doom: The Dark Ages is finally here, and with it comes an unapologetically violent and action-packed experience. As the iconic Slayer, players punch, slash, and shoot their way through the oncoming hordes of Hell. This is to be expected from the Doom franchise, since its entire legacy is built on action-forward gameplay, but Doom: The Dark Ages has taken it to a new level with some of its coolest changes.

Doom: The Dark Ages has proven to be a success, and its brand-new medieval-themed setting and aesthetic have definitely helped grab the attention of a lot of gamers, whether it be longtime fans or newcomers. Developer id Software took a big risk by bringing so many changes to this new entry, and while the studio was able to pull it off, it also gives the next game the difficult task of one-upping such a unique predecessor.

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DOOM: The Dark Ages Fans Discover Unused Weapon Through Console Commands

Some DOOM: The Dark Ages players have discovered a mysterious hidden weapon that can be accessed through the use of console commands.

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By Jack Webster

Doom: The Dark Ages Has Set a High Bar That May Be Difficult to Reach

Bringing Carnage to New Heights

Leading up to the release of Doom: The Dark Ages, some of the most exciting things that a lot of gamers were looking forward to were the fresh takes on combat. Between the Shield Saw, a hulking mech suit, and even a Mecha Dragon named Serrat, Doom: The Dark Ages' gameplay outdoes itself when it comes to giving players a variety of ways to fight off demons.

Beyond the weapon upgrades, the entire world of Doom: The Dark Ages is incredibly intriguing. Whether it's diving deeper into Doom's powerful Maykrs or simply through the game's level design, Doom: The Dark Ages has a unique identity that boldly sets itself apart from the rest of the franchise. While this is a great way to experience the Doom franchise in a completely new light, it also raises plenty of questions about how the next game can live up to the expectations that have now been set.

In addition to the Shield Saw, Doom: The Dark Ages' new weapons include the Pulverizer, Shredder, Impaler, Cycler, Flail, and Chainshot.

Doom Going Back to Its Classic Formula May Be Difficult Now

With Doom: The Dark Ages being a prequel to the rebooted series, what lies ahead for the Slayer is known to those who have played the past two games. Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal don't feature things like the Shield Saw or Mecha Dragons, so these weapons could potentially be one-offs. However, that hopefully isn't the case. Even if the next game takes place after Doom Eternal, id Software could still bring the likes of the Shield Saw back. At this point, it almost seems like a given that it will return, since Doom: The Dark Ages has opened the door for a great new weapon that would be sorely missed if omitted from the next chapter.

Doom: The Dark Ages has a unique identity that boldly sets itself apart from the rest of the franchise.

Doom: The Dark Ages has also potentially set a new standard for difficulty settings in gaming. The game allows for in-depth customization that can make it either an easy-going shoot-em-up experience or a hardcore, sweat-inducing fight with the forces of Hell.

The Future of Doom Has Found Itself in an Interesting Position

Now that Doom: The Dark Ages has introduced new possibilities, it will be fascinating to see what id Software chooses to do with the franchise next. The path has now been paved to allow for more experimental settings and weapons, and id Software hopefully continues to embrace this new era's love of introducing the unexpected.

Since Doom: The Dark Ages is still a bold, fresh entry, it will likely be a while before gamers know what lies in store next for the franchise. Until then, Doom: The Dark Ages brings the series to an exciting new frontier that will potentially continue to influence the rest of the franchise going forward.

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