Exploring DOOM: The Dark Ages – A Hands-On Experience with Story, Sandboxes, Mechs, and Dragons

The real magic of The Dark Ages kicks in when it shatters all my expectations. In the final and most extensive part of the demo, I find myself dropped into id Software’s rendition of an open-world sandbox, with the freedom to explore it as I please. My mission? Shut down five demon portals. How I accomplish this and any detours I take along the way are completely my call. Throughout the one-hour experience, I’m constantly reminded that this isn’t like any DOOM game I’ve tackled before.

As you’d expect, the sandbox section is brimming with optional challenges. There are fortified artillery outposts to destroy, and stashes of gold lying in wait to be used for upgrades. While simply moving from point A to point B, a gigantic tentacle erupts from the ground—it’s not a scripted scene or even part of an objective; it’s just one more surprise waiting to be discovered.

Even the main objectives pack unexpected elements. In that initial story mission, sealing portals was straightforward—just clear the arena. But now, it’s a different beast entirely. Some portals whisk me away to dungeons, where puzzle-solving becomes crucial for locating their power sources. Others introduce Leader enemies—these formidable foes require strategic planning, as they’re impervious to my weapons until I deal with their minions. Defeating them rewards me with lasting upgrades. Along the way, I stumble upon new firearms, expanding my arsenal and options. It’s ingeniously crafted, restless in its creativity, as if id has been itching to experiment with new concepts within the DOOM universe.

And here lies the heart of my session with DOOM: The Dark Ages—this is a team bursting with excitement, not just for DOOM’s legacy, but for its future possibilities. I anticipated a fresh narrative, new weaponry, and terrifying demons, but new genres? That was unexpected. I’m on the edge of my seat, eager to discover what else they have in store.

Mark your calendars, because DOOM: The Dark Ages rolls out on May 15, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, PC through the Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, and Battle.net, PlayStation 5, and cloud gaming. And yes, it’s hitting Game Pass right from day one.