Summary

  • Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers day one releases like Doom: The Dark Ages.
  • Doom: The Dark Ages releases May 15.

Xbox Game Pass subscribers should definitely circle May 15 on their calendars, as that's the day Doom: The Dark Ages is releasing for the service as a day one release. When Microsoft acquired Doom owner ZeniMax Media, one of the reasons it did so was to bolster the lineup of games it had in store for Xbox Game Pass.

Xbox Game Pass features a huge library of games, but day one titles are the main reason to sign up. The Xbox Game Pass tier changes mean that those signed up for basic Game Pass are no longer treated to day one games, but those signed up for the Ultimate tier and PC Game Pass still get day one titles. There will be a wide variety of major new day one games coming to Xbox Game Pass in 2025, with one of the biggest confirming its release date.

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The latest Xbox Developer Direct has confirmed the Doom: The Dark Ages release date leak. As the leak claimed, Doom: The Dark Ages will indeed be launching on May 15, which is also the day that it will hit Xbox Game Pass as a day one game. Even though Doom: The Dark Ages is an Xbox-owned game, it will still be coming to PlayStation 5, though users on that platform will have to pay full price. Xbox gamers will have the option of simply signing up for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to get day one access to Doom: The Dark Ages.

Doom: The Dark Ages Release Date

  • Thursday, May 15

A prequel to the 2016 Doom game, Doom: The Dark Ages takes the franchise's brutal combat to a medieval setting. Doom: The Dark Ages features a new shield weapon, a dragon for players to ride, and much more, with id Software looking to make it one of the most accessible games in the series to date.

In the meantime, there is plenty for Xbox Game Pass subscribers to look forward to in the more immediate future. The Xbox Game Pass January 2025 lineup has yet to release its heavy hitters, with Eternal Strands joining Game Pass on January 28 alongside Orcs Must Die: Deathtrap, with Shady Part of Me and Sniper Elite: Resistance coming on January 30. And finally, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is coming to Game Pass on January 31. Needless to say, there should be no shortage of games for Xbox Game Pass subscribers to play in 2025.

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8 /10

DOOM: The Dark Ages
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FPS
Action
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
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Systems
PC-1 PlayStation-1 Xbox-1
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Top Critic Avg: 86 /100 Critics Rec: 95%
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Released
May 15, 2025
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
Developer(s)
id Software
Publisher(s)
Bethesda Softworks
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'I Don't Agree With That' Doom: The Dark Ages Director Responds to 'Woke Ages' Criticism
'I Don't Agree With That' Doom: The Dark Ages Director Responds to 'Woke Ages' Criticism
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
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BECOME THE SLAYER IN A MEDIEVAL WAR AGAINST HELL

DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells an epic cinematic story worthy of the DOOM Slayer’s legend. In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.
 

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine.

REIGN IN HELL

As the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw. Players will stand and fight on the demon-infested battlefields in the vicious, grounded combat the original DOOM is famous for.

STAND AND FIGHT

Experience an epic story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this cinematic and action-packed story. Bound to serve as the super weapon of gods and kings, the DOOM Slayer fends off demon hordes as their leader seeks to destroy the Slayer and become the only one that is feared. Witness the creation of a legend as the Slayer takes on all of Hell and turns the tide of the war.

DISCOVER UNKNOWN REALMS

In his quest to crush the legions of Hell, the Slayer must take the fight to never-before-seen realms. Mystery, challenges, and rewards lurk in every shadow of ruined castles, epic battlefields, dark forests, ancient hellscapes, and worlds beyond. Armed with the viciously powerful Shield Saw, cut through a dark world of menace and secrets in id's largest and most expansive levels to date.

Engine
id Tech
Franchise
DOOM