Latest news with #DoomSlayer
The Star
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Review: 'Doom: The Dark Ages' reinvents run-and-gun formula … again
LOS ANGELES: The rebooted Doom series has been a masterclass in reinvention. Bucking the trend of military shooters, the id Software team crafted a brilliant gameplay loop that's the spiritual successor to the run-and-gun action the developers pioneered in 1993. It relied on movement, herding enemies and creating satisfying combo-based combat while introducing exploratory elements. The sequel Doom Eternal refined that formula, emphasising vertical gameplay that made the Doom Slayer protagonist feel like a fighter jet, according to game director Hugo Martin. The third entry for the reboot goes in a different direction. A vision that works Doom: The Dark Ages is a prequel to the first two games and lets players discover the events leading up to the original reboot. It finds the Doom Slayer as a tool of the Maykrs as he's deployed to help the Sentinels in their battle against the minions of hell. Over the course of 22 levels, players will be in the heart of the Argenta Unholy Wars' politics and drama as the villain Prince Ahzrak searches for the Heart of Argent, a power capable of making him a god. He and his hell minions attack the Sentinels, who are hiding that power and trying to keep it out of his hands. The beauty of The Dark Ages is that players don't need to know much about the past games. They can jump into this chapter and enjoy the spectacle of seeing the Doom Slayer become the ultimate demon-fighting machine. When playing The Dark Ages , veterans will notice that this version of the Doom Slayer is a different beast from the past games. Developers at id Software revamped the combat to emphasise a more ground-based approach. If Doom Eternal made players feel like a jet pilot, The Dark Ages will make them think they're controlling a zippy modern tank. Most of the combat revolves around a shield that can deflect attacks and protect against projectiles while dicing fodder with a Captain America-like throw. Further in the campaign, the shield is imbued with runes that give it other ways to attack. Aside from offence, the shield also has a role in exploration, with players using it almost like a grappling hook at certain nodes. They can also crash through weakened walls or destroy pulleys that hold doors shut. It's a simple tool that's controlled by two buttons, but id Software does a remarkable job of giving it versatility, so that it can do much more, especially when combined with weapons. Weapon versatility The Dark Ages has an arsenal with enough versatility that players won't be leaning on two weapons. The fan favourite Super Shotgun can handle a wide range of encounters, but the Doom Slayer will encounter enemies that move too quickly or have attacks that take advantage of its limited range. That's when players will have to rely on other weapons and their properties, which emerge when they're powered up at the Sentinel Shrine. The team at id smartly crafted weapons to encourage players to switch them up, depending on the circumstances. If players need to stun enemies, the Cycler can shock swarming adversaries, giving players the opportunity to thin the herd. The Rocket Launcher has the ability to regain health when players parry an attack and enter the splash damage zone. Combine this with the melee weapon and shield rune upgrades, and players have several strategies to survive the demon horde onslaught. The weapons and shield forge a fascinating offshoot from the combat of the first two games. It's ground-based but manages to feel fast while satisfying players' desire to combo attacks, showing off the Doom Slayer's maneuverability. The gameplay echoes the original Doom titles that reward players who can circle strafe around attacks and dodge the shower of projectiles that flash across the screen. In The Dark Ages , series veterans do the same thing, albeit with a bigger arsenal and solid defensive moves that make dodging unnecessary. In fact, the campaign has moments where it feels as though the Doom Slayer is slugging it out with Cyber Demons, trading blows while blocking the enemy's melee attacks. At times, combat is essentially a heavyweight prize fight in mid-fisticuffs. A flow state The developers mix up the main gameplay with levels, in which players control an enormous mech called an Atlan and pilot a dragon named Serrat. The giant robot action gives players a sense of scale in these battles where they fight enormous demons mainly with melee attacks. The simple fighting mechanics work as the behemoths don't have much in terms of subtlety of movement. Meanwhile, the dragon levels are less successful but still exhilarating. Flying Serrat is more complicated than controlling the mech and requires a different set of skills. Players have to locate aircraft and shoot them down while also locking in on other adversaries, while dodging attacks, in order to blast them away. The developers do a notable job of mixing these elements of play through the campaign. For example, players fly their dragon and take down a massive enemy hell-icarrier (for lack of a better word) and they can land Serrat atop the vehicle, enter it and wipe out the enemies inside. All of this flows remarkably well, and that's the driving force behind the gameplay. Amid the whirlwind of extreme violence, The Dark Ages builds a momentum in its level design and pushes players along. And though it has secrets and rewards exploration, the team lays out these secrets in way that keeps propelling the Doom Slayer forward. In other words, it's a game that keeps the energy going forward and doesn't stop until its epic conclusion. – The Mercury News/Tribune News Service
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
NAG magazine unveils winter edition with Doom: The Dark Ages
Doom: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal. The winter issue of NAG magazine, featuring Doom: The Dark Ages on the cover, has been praised for its artwork. NAG magazine launched its latest gaming read on a cold winter Friday afternoon in Johannesburg. Artwork NAG publisher Len Nery said that previous issues of the magazine had been much sought after, with the winter issue expected to garner the same interest. 'Chris, our incredible designer, had a chat about the look and feel of this cover and he's always been pushing for it to be purely about the artwork, having as little as possible writing on here. The issue looks so well-designed and amazing, and we are proud of this'. WATCH Len Nery speaking about NAG's winter edition ALSO READ: Assassin's Creed Shadows transports gamers to feudal Japan What is Doom: The Dark Ages? The new Doom is likely to enthral gamers with its gameplay. 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 instalment of the modern Doom series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the Doom Slayer in a never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell. 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 Doon franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. Availability As the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favourites 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. Doom: The Dark Ages is now available, having launched on May 15, 2025, on PlayStation 5, PC (via Steam, and the Microsoft Store), and Xbox Series X/S. It is also available as a day one launch title for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. NOW READ: WATCH: 'Resident Evil Requiem' release date revealed: A new era of survival horror begins
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Steam Summer Sale 2025: 5 unmissable games with big discounts; from Borderlands 3 to Battlefield 1
The Steam Summer Sale 2025 has officially been rolled out by Valve. The company is offering steep discounts on PC games. The Steam Summer Sale 2025 will last from June 26 to July 10. Several titles are on offer by the company including Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Cyberpunk 2077, as per the official website. According to Screenrant, games like Terraria and Undertale are also available for a few dollars on Steam. Here are some of the top games you can get at the summer sale event, as per Screenrant. Steam summer sale is live now(Steam Official site) Also read: Death Stranding 2's super-fast load times have left fans in disbelief: 'Don't blink or you'll miss it' Battlefield 1: The game is being offered for a mere $1.99, a discount of 95 per cent from its original price. Battlefield 1's World War 1 setting makes it one of the most popular games in the series. The multiplayer game spans multiple theaters of the war. The new Operations game mode stimulates actual conflict from the frontlines, as per Screenrant. DOOM: Priced at $3.99 in the Steam Summer Sale 2025, Doom is a great game for anyone who loved the original Doom series. The game sees the Doom Slayer return to Mars for a new and gory campaign. Borderlands 3: The iconic game is being offered for $2.99. The looter shooter game was much criticized for how its antagonists were written when it was released. However, the amount of different guns and other weaponry make it easy to overlook the flaws of the game. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: Missing the Marvel Cinematic Universe a lot? Try out this game for just $5.99. The single-player game features Rocket Racoon, Star-Lord, Gamora, Groot, and Drax star in a galaxy-spanning journey. You can be involved in the combat abilities of every Guardian. Death Stranding Director's Cut: With Death Stranding 2 in the news, it's the perfect time to pick up this title. The Director's Cut features more content and some improvements over the base game. The game is available for $15.99. FAQs What are the dates for the Steam Summer Sale? The sale will last from June 26 to July 10. What titles are on offer at the Steam Summer Sale? Discounted games include Battlefield 1 and Borderlands 3. Is Death Stranding 2 out? The game is presently out on Play Station 5, with PC versions expected at a later date.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
PS5, PS4 Players Treated to Demo for Remaster of Beloved Classics
During yesterday's , Activision and Iron Galaxy announced that the demo is now available for fans to check out. However, unlike most demos, players need to pay to get into this one. Formally called the 'Foundry Demo,' the new THPS 3+4 demo is available on PS5 and PS4 right now. However, it is only available to those who preordered the game. Users who preorder the Standard Edition of THPS 3+4 can check out the Foundry and College parks while using playable skaters Tony Hawk and Rayssa Leal. Players will also get a taste of select songs from the game's expansive soundtrack. Users who preorder the Digital Deluxe Edition will be able to play as the Doom Slayer from the hit, legendary first-person shooter series Doom. Of course, for Xbox fans, the THPS 3+4 Foundry demo is available for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC for those who preorder the game. Xbox Game Pass subscribers get to check out the demo at no additional cost. The launch of the demo coincided with the launch trailer of THPS 3+4. Along with first looks at two brand-new parks, Pinball and Movie Studio, we also got a look at the in-game model of Bam Margera. Anyone who wants to check out the trailer can take a look above. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 launches on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC on July 11. The Standard Edition costs $49.99, while the Digital Deluxe Edition is $69.99. The more expensive edition includes access to the Doom Slayer and The Revenant as playable skaters, additional songs from the Doom soundtrack, exclusive Doom-themed skate decks, and themed Create-a-Skater items. There is also a Collector's Edition that includes everything from the Deluxe Edition, as well as an actual Birdhouse deck. The post PS5, PS4 Players Treated to Demo for Remaster of Beloved Classics appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.
The Review Geek
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Doom: The Dark Ages (2025) Game Review
This new instalment in the long-running FPS franchise has a medieval slant, but despite the 'Dark Ages' setting, it's still the game you know and presumably love. There are still hordes of demons to kill, with an increasingly powerful set of weapons, and the music score is as adrenaline-pumping as ever, to enhance your excitement as you blast monsters into oblivion. The game is a prequel to the last two entries in the series, with a dark, occasionally complicated narrative that leads into the events of the 2016 reboot. Of course, you don't come to a Doom game for a plotline. For the most part, it's very forgettable – a lot of mumbo jumbo about the DoomSlayer being humanity's last hope against the forces of Hell – and a lot of it has been echoed before in previous games in the series. The bolted-on narrative adds some meaning to the run-and-gun gameplay, but whenever a cutscene appears to explain away the plot, you'll probably be itching to hit the skip button, so as to get back into the thick of the very bloody action. And if it's action you want, it's action you'll get, as you battle the hordes of darkness like a medieval badass. Movement is more weighty this time around, so you're not quite as nimble as before (which isn't to say you're particularly slow), but you do have a handy shield that you can fling around the battleground and lay waste to multiple enemies before they swarm to your locale. You also have the ability to shield charge, so even though the Doomslayer is not quite as athletic as he used to be (there is no option to dash or double jump), you can still whiz across the landscape by targeting and jumping to an enemy with your shield. This makes moving around the battleground a lot faster, useful when you're feeling outnumbered, so your chances of survival are increased dramatically. Of course, it's mainly your weapons that do much to boost your survivability. Early on in the game, you're armed with a combat shotgun, the Shredder (the Doom-verse's equivalent of a machine gun), and the Power Gauntlet, a melee weapon that packs a mighty punch. Later on in the game, you're rewarded with more powerful weapons, such as the Accelerator, a pulverising plasma gun that can rip apart the enemies' shields, and the Ballistic Force Crossbow, a limited ammo weapon which is especially useful at taking down the game's bosses. You also get a couple of new melee weapons, including the Flail, a slow but powerful chain weapon that befits the medieval setting, as well as an upgrade to the shield – the Shield Saw – that sticks into and momentarily stuns the enemies, thus boosting your offensive potential. In short, the game lets you be the badass you always want to be in a Doom game as you use your beefed-up armoury to wipe out Hell's minions. Some of these monsters are easier to defeat than others – you should have little trouble ripping apart the slow-walking Zombies and weak-assed Imps. But more of a challenge are the Riders – annoying archers who take pot shots at you while riding giant reptiles – and the Titans, gargantuan beasts that can only be taken down with certain types of weaponry. There are 39 enemy types in total, some of which you'll have seen in other Doom games, and new additions to the franchise that match the medieval setting. So, it's pretty much business as usual for a Doom game then. However, there are a couple of new gameplay additions that will likely prove divisive. The first of these sees you ride on the back of a dragon at various points during the game. Movement via this winged beast is smooth and slick, so you'll have little trouble flying around the corrupted landscape. However, you're required to use this flying lizard to take down building turrets and shields, which can be a little fiddly due to the need to build up a meter by dodging gunfire (easier said than done) before you're allowed to destroy the hellscape's defences. The other new addition is a giant piece of mechanised armour that allows you to tower over the environment and smash your way through obstacles and the minions of Hell below. Unfortunately, this isn't as much fun as it sounds, and like the dragon riding, it proves as a needless distraction to the demon-pulverising at ground level. I can understand id Software's decision to modify the traditional Doom formula – some people will appreciate the variety in gameplay – but franchise purists might get annoyed by these diversions. Despite the occasional change to formula, Doom: The Dark Ages still hearkens back to the franchise's roots. You're still required to find keys to enter previously impassable areas (and find optional secrets) within the game's expansive map, and you're often confined to specific areas until you destroy the hellspawn that litters each battleground. Fans of the franchise will welcome the familiarity, though newcomers to the series might be frustrated at the game's old-school feel and lack of depth in the puzzle department. Doom: The Dark Ages is a fun game with super-smooth combat and a wide variety of graphically impressive environments from which to unleash all manner of glorious kills on the demonic enemies. New variations to the gameplay will please some while irking others, but for the most part, this is still a traditional Doom game at heart, which will be good news for long-time fans of this loud and bombastic series.
