Doom: The Dark Ages Pays Respect to the Franchise's Melee…

Despite making some very ambitious changes, Doom: The Dark Ages still adheres to the modern franchise formula, possessing a wide range of weapons that players need to smartly utilize throughout a range of fast-paced combat arenas. While the game's perceived over-reliance on its new parry system has led to some division, the title still offers a satisfying gameplay loop of combat against a range of returning demons as well as a host of fresh enemy types.

Doom: The Dark Ages uses its Argent D'Nur setting quite well to tie into new content. The Medieval-inspired battlegrounds of the planet and its raging war against Hell give way to some weapons that are befitting of The Dark Ages' moniker. Aside from some more period-appropriate ranged weapons, The Dark Ages does not hold back from putting melee armaments at the core of its combat, doing justice to the storied history that melee weapons possess within the wider Doom franchise.

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By Jo Craig

Doom's Long History of Melee Combat is Worth Celebrating

While even the earliest beginnings of the Doom franchise are largely defined by armaments like rocket launchers, plasma rifles, and the devastating BFG9000, up-close and personal melee combat has always played a big role in the franchise. In the classic Doom games, players could always use their fists as a last resort when ammunition runs dry, with the classic chainsaw then acting as the next step-up for close-quarters engagements.

Of course, power-ups have also played a large role in Doom's combat and exploration. The iconic Berserk powerup greatly boosts the damage-dealing capabilities of the Slayer's fists, making them a much more potent and viable option. The modern era of Doom has somewhat leaned into this with the likes of Eternal's Blood Punch melee and Crucible sword, and the recently launched Dark Ages really expands on this concept.

Sadly, The Dark Ages essentially does away with brutal and cinematic Glory Kills, in contrast to how commonplace they were in Eternal, but the game's melee offerings are expanded significantly in other areas. Perhaps most importantly, Doom: The Dark Ages' Shield Saw stands as a constant testament to the importance of melee in the title. It's the go-to method to close the gap on enemies while bursting through crowds of lower-level demons.

How Doom: The Dark Ages' Range of Melee Weapons Adds Depth to its Combat

The Shield Saw can be used in conjunction with a range of melee weapons that players can unlock and choose from throughout The Dark Ages, with the Power Gauntlet later giving way to the Flail and finally the Dreadmace. All of these melee weapons, including the Shield Saw, also come with a massive variety of upgrade pathways, giving power directly to the player in terms of deciding which melee weapon to prioritize as well as how it operates during combat.

Doom: The Dark Ages' Shield Saw can also be thrown to stun enemies and break through heated armor, making it one of the game's most versatile armaments.

With the Shield also possessing a complex rune upgrade system that changes how The Dark Ages' parrying system operates, players are essentially spoiled for choice when it comes to melee combat. Of course, The Dark Ages still emphasizes similar upgrade pathways for its many ranged weapons, but the overall freedom and choice that players have at their disposal when it comes to melee armaments is a logical extension of how important melee combat has been throughout Doom's long and successful history.

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