The Xbox Developer Direct peeled back the curtain on developer id Software and its ongoing work on Doom: The Dark Ages, the next mainline entry in the long-running Sci-Fi shooter franchise. During the Direct, id Software's Marty Stratton (Executive Producer) and Hugo Martin (Game Director) talked about the studio's approach to making Doom, and how that approach has shifted with each entry. Martin states that Doom 2016 wanted players to "run and gun," Doom Eternal wanted them to "jump and shoot," and in Doom: The Dark Ages, players will be asked to "stand and fight."
That gameplay ethos is on full display in Doom: The Dark Ages' new gameplay trailer, where the iconic Doom Slayer faces off against hordes of medieval-themed demons head-on. This new gameplay footage showcases a handful of new weapons, introduces a more open-ended level design, and even teases some new vehicular combat sections. But the star of the show is Doom: The Dark Ages' Shield Saw, a weapon that could inadvertently set the stage for Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra.
One Doom: The Dark Ages Feature May Be Its Secret Weapon
Doom: The Dark Ages will introduce a feature that will be new for the franchise and looks to give players a wealth of great options.
Doom: The Dark Ages Could Set The Stage for Marvel 1943's Captain America Gameplay
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra Should Feature a Doom: Dark Ages-Like Parry System
A shield is, first and foremost, a defensive tool designed to mitigate any oncoming blows. Doom: The Dark Ages' Shield Saw does exactly that. During the most recent gameplay trailer, fans can witness the Shield Saw blocking a range of projectiles heading towards the player. While most of these projectiles appear to glow a fiery red color, some have a bright green hue. These green bolts of energy can be deflected by Doom : The Dark Ages' Shield Saw.
Some melee attacks also appear to elicit a green glow. These attacks can also be parried by the player's Shield Saw. Successfully deflecting or parrying an oncoming green attack will open the enemy up to a quick attack-of-opportunity, in which the player dashes forward with their Shield Saw, bashes the enemy, and follows up with a brutal melee weapon finisher.
While the gore and high level of violence might need to be toned down a little, Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra could use a similar system for its Captain America gameplay, whereby Cap could parry oncoming attacks, dash forward, and deliver a powerful finisher that knocks the opponent unconscious.
Doom: The Dark Ages Shows How a Throwable Shield Can Work in Combat
But another core component of Doom: The Dark Ages' Shield Saw is its ability to be thrown as a projectile. This can be seen multiple times throughout the latest batch of gameplay footage, with the player hurling the Shield Saw into all manner of different demonic foes. The Shield Saw appears to be able to cut down weaker enemies in one clean slice, while larger foes might need to be stunned first before they succumb to the shield's spinning blades.
Of course, like any good fantasy or Sci-Fi shield, the Shield Saw will return to the player's arm after each throw. The shield's magnetism can also be used during traversal, with the player being able to lodge their shield in a beam far in front of them, and then use the shield's magnetism to pull them towards the platform.
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra's story trailer from last year already teased Captain America's ability to throw his shield, with one brief shot of the trailer showing the hero launching his shield at an enemy soldier, and the force of it throwing them violently to the ground. It'll be fun to see how Doom: The Dark Ages' Shield Saw and Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra's Vibranium shield compare to one another later this year.
DOOM: The Dark Ages
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 86 /100 Critics Rec: 95%
- Released
- May 15, 2025
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
- Developer(s)
- id Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
WHERE TO PLAY
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
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
