《毁灭战士：黑暗时代》首次预览

Doom: The Dark Ages – A Return to Form?

Following the critically acclaimed Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal (2020), id Software's latest installment, Doom: The Dark Ages, takes a different approach. Instead of building upon Eternal's platforming elements, this prequel focuses on intense, close-quarters combat with a heavy emphasis on powerful melee weapons.

While the signature arsenal of powerful firearms returns (including the skull-crushing new weapon showcased in the reveal trailer), The Dark Ages significantly enhances the role of melee combat. Players will utilize three distinct melee weapons: the electrified gauntlet, the flail, and the Shield Saw, each offering unique tactical options. Game director Hugo Martin emphasized the shift towards a more grounded, "stand and fight" combat style.

Martin cited the original Doom, Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and Zack Snyder's 300 as key inspirations. This influence is evident in the game's design, featuring large-scale combat encounters reminiscent of 300's iconic battle scenes and the original Doom's arena-style gameplay. The Glory Kill system has been redesigned for increased fluidity, allowing for kills from any angle. Level design prioritizes freedom of exploration, with shorter, more focused levels (approximately one hour each).

Addressing criticism of Doom Eternal's Codex-heavy narrative, The Dark Ages delivers its story through cutscenes, promising a "summer blockbuster" narrative that expands the Doom universe. The control scheme has been simplified for improved intuitiveness, with melee weapons equipped individually. The game features a streamlined economy with a single currency (gold), and secrets focus on gameplay-enhancing rewards rather than lore. Difficulty can be customized extensively via in-game sliders.

The impressive giant demon mech (Atlan) and cybernetic dragon sequences from the trailer are not isolated events, but rather feature full combat encounters. Importantly, Doom: The Dark Ages will not include a multiplayer mode, allowing the developers to concentrate fully on the single-player experience.

Martin highlighted the deliberate shift away from Doom Eternal's style, aiming for a return to the core principles of the original Doom. This focus on a more classic, powerful, and visceral experience has generated significant excitement for the game's May 15th release.