DOOM: The Dark Ages is dropping on May 15, and it comes loaded with enough demon-slaying fury and medieval flavor to satisfy fans of the franchise and new players alike. This latest entry from id Software takes the iconic DOOM Slayer back in time — or at least back into a dark, tech-meets-medieval fantasy world — with a brand-new campaign, weapon systems, and a heavy focus on defense through the all-important Slayer Shield.
DOOM: The Dark Ages brings medieval chaos to the Slayer’s toolkit
Unlike the lightning-fast movement and aerial acrobatics of DOOM Eternal, The Dark Ages slows the Slayer down just enough to make him feel like a walking tank. The addition of the Slayer Shield changes the game. It lets you block, parry, and even reflect enemy attacks. Timing a shield parry turns incoming fire into a stun opportunity. It’s a simple mechanic that adds a new layer of strategy to the mayhem.
And it’s not just defensive. The shield can be thrown like a buzzsaw to disable enemies, or used to chain-stop larger foes. It fills the gap left by the removal of the chainsaw, replaced now by a more flexible and satisfying melee system that lets you brawl your way to ammo replenishment. The combat still flows, even when it feels grounded.
Massive open battlefields and a devilish arsenal of weapons
The campaign features over 20 hours of gameplay across 22 levels that range from hellish medieval castles to cosmic, Lovecraftian realms. The level design encourages exploration, with plenty of secrets, collectibles, and upgrade currency hidden in every corner. The Dark Ages doesn't just ask you to fight — it wants you to roam, hunt, and improve.
Weapons get a medieval makeover but keep their classic punch. The combat shotgun ignites enemies, the ballista-like steel launcher pierces with precision, and the Skullcrusher Pulverizer tears through crowds with chaotic flair. Each weapon has a twin that shares ammo and can be swapped on the fly. It's a clever twist that adds variety without overcomplicating your loadout.
DOOM: The Dark Ages leverages NVIDIA tech for next-level PC performance
For PC players, DOOM: The Dark Ages arrives with full support for NVIDIA DLSS 4 and Ray Tracing on GeForce RTX 50 Series cards. NVIDIA's latest Game Ready Driver update optimizes the game with Multi Frame Generation, boosting frame rates while keeping image quality sharp. This means you can run the game at 4K with ultra details and still hit smooth performance.
And there’s more. A post-launch update will add PC-exclusive Path Tracing, taking ray-traced lighting to a new level with AI-powered DLSS Ray Reconstruction. Traditional denoisers are out. Superior image quality and faster performance are in. Plus, NVIDIA Reflex reduces latency, making your demon-slaying even more responsive.
Early access and bonuses with GeForce RTX 50 Series bundle
Buyers of qualifying GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs before May 21 can score the DOOM: The Dark Ages Premium Edition for free. That includes up to 2 days of early access, campaign DLC, a digital artbook, soundtrack, and the Divinity Skin Pack. It's a solid deal for anyone upgrading their rig and eager to dive into the campaign early.
Steam Deck players get a last-minute fix for portable demon hunting
The Steam Deck version of The Dark Ages was initially plagued by crashes, but a last-minute SteamOS Preview update saved the day. The game now runs at a playable 30fps with FSR upscaling, though it burns through battery life fast. Still, the fact that this ray-traced, fast-paced shooter runs at all on the Deck is impressive — and gives portable fans a way to take the Slayer on the go.
Final thoughts: DOOM: The Dark Ages isn’t just more DOOM — it’s a new form of it
DOOM: The Dark Ages doesn’t just remix the formula; it retools it. The shield mechanic, the slower but heavier movement, the open battlefields filled with hundreds of enemies — it all adds up to a game that feels familiar and fresh at the same time. It may not have the breakneck speed of Eternal, but it has a different kind of momentum, one that pushes forward through grit, force, and creativity.
Released on May 15 for PC, consoles, and Steam Deck (with that crucial fix), The Dark Ages is ready to fill your blood-soaked boots with one more chapter of demon-crushing glory. And this time, it’s got a shield.