Doom: The Dark Ages release date confirmed for May

The release date for Doom: The Dark Ages has been officially confirmed as May 15th, and it will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Additionally, it will be included in certain tiers of Xbox Game Pass on the day of release.

Doom: The Dark Ages serves as a prequel to the Doom 2016 reboot and Doom Eternal, taking players back to a time when the Doom Slayer was on a mission to defeat demons. Players will encounter a mix of familiar enemies from the series as well as new foes in a medieval setting.

To combat these new enemies, players will have access to new weapons such as a Flail for close combat and a throwable chainsaw shield that can block, parry, and deflect attacks with a single input. The gameplay will focus more on strategic ground-play rather than acrobatic combat seen in Doom Eternal.

In addition to the new weapons, players will have access to three melee weapons that can be used for combos, finishers, and a revamped glory kill system. The game will also feature the ability for players to pilot a skyscraper-sized mech called Atlan or a Mecha Dragon with jet engines for aerial combat.

Exploration will play a key role in the game, as players can discover secrets, upgrades, and more in multiple worlds and environments. The soundtrack for Doom: The Dark Ages has been created by Finish Move to provide a metal soundscape for an immersive experience.

The game will also include a customizable difficulty system, allowing players to adjust the game speed and difficulty to their preferences. The release date announcement came shortly after a leak, and was accompanied by a detailed showcase during the Xbox Developer_Direct stream.

Other games expected in 2025 were also featured in the stream, including South of Midnight by Compulsion Games, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Sandfall Interactive, and the surprise announcement of Ninja Gaiden 4 and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black.