Multiplat DOOM: The Dark Ages

[Dizzy]

Here’s hoping. Though tbh, there isn’t a doom game that I don’t love, so they will probably deliver once again, despite the cynical reaction.

Discounting crappy ports like the 3DO doom, of course.

Heh my first real experience with Doom was on the 32X. I know all about crappy ports.

 

[Valhoven]

I appreciate the art style going back a bit more to the OG ones, and the music sounds good even with Gordon’s departure. I just don’t see the gameplay lighting me up as much. Just something seems off to me. Though like you all know, ID manages to bring it the vast majority of the time, so I will stay open to it. Thankfully it’s coming to gamepass so it’s still technically a day 1 purchase…

And the new revenant and cyber demon look pretty sick to me. Can’t hate much on the new enemy designs., for the most part.

WTF, hadn't any idea Mick wasn't scoring. Do you know what happened? Major bummer.

 

[Satur9]

WTF, hadn't any idea Mick wasn't scoring. Do you know what happened? Major bummer.

Not a clue. Just noticed a team name is m the credits for composer. Unless there is official record statements, you just cannot really tell what exactly transpired. Bottom line is I don’t really know.

 

[mixmastermo]

WTF, hadn't any idea Mick wasn't scoring. Do you know what happened? Major bummer.

Not a clue. Just noticed a team name is m the credits for composer. Unless there is official record statements, you just cannot really tell what exactly transpired. Bottom line is I don’t really know.

I believe the story is he needed some additional time to finish his work for Eternal, id ended up finishing his work without his permission and released the game in that state.

At least that was what I initially heard- the story is here

Mick Gordon's Open Letter Paints A Messy Picture of Music's Treatment In Video Games

This industry is so busted.

www.thegamer.com

 

[Valhoven]

I believe the story is he needed some additional time to finish his work for Eternal, id ended up finishing his work without his permission and released the game in that state.

At least that was what I initially heard- the story is here

Mick Gordon's Open Letter Paints A Messy Picture of Music's Treatment In Video Games

This industry is so busted.

www.thegamer.com

Dude, wow. I’m a big game OST fan and have long argued how much music amplifies games atmospherically. This is a disgusting read. F id for this. Mick is up there in the game music pantheon among Final Fantasy wizards and ilk.

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

I believe the story is he needed some additional time to finish his work for Eternal, id ended up finishing his work without his permission and released the game in that state.

At least that was what I initially heard- the story is here

Mick Gordon's Open Letter Paints A Messy Picture of Music's Treatment In Video Games

This industry is so busted.

www.thegamer.com

I thought it was a dispute more about the release of the actual soundtrack separate from the game itself. That the music for the game was finished properly but a separate soundtrack album was the issue.

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

Dude, wow. I’m a big game OST fan and have long argued how much music amplifies games atmospherically. This is a disgusting read. F id for this. Mick is up there in the game music pantheon among Final Fantasy wizards and ilk.

For what it’s worth I believe Mick Gordon himself has repeatedly said he puts the blame squarely on Marty Stratton and that he doesn’t want his fans to boycott Doom TDA as that’s not fair to all the hardworking developers who deserve to have their work recognized and celebrated and that had nothing to do with what Stratton did to him.

 

[Valhoven]

For what it’s worth I believe Mick Gordon himself has repeatedly said he puts the blame squarely on Marty Stratton and that he doesn’t want his fans to boycott Doom TDA as that’s not fair to all the hardworking developers who deserve to have their work recognized and celebrated and that had nothing to do with what Stratton did to him.

Appreciate the clarification. TBH, that made me not want to support the game at full price and make id eat (however trivial) a loss at my buying title only when discounted.

 

[KidBaize]

There's a guy on reddit saying his ps5 disc let him play early

 

[Dizzy]

There's a guy on reddit saying his ps5 disc let him play early

PlayStation store said my CE is shipping tomorrow.

I know it’s supposed to come with early two day access but I’ll definitely try it if I get it before the 13th.

 

[KidBaize]

PlayStation store said my CE is shipping tomorrow.

I know it’s supposed to come with early two day access but I’ll definitely try it if I get it before the 13th.

Yeah give it a shot and see if it will run. I bought the premium edition yesterday and keep checking Steam to see if I can pre download but it just says soon.

 

[Dizzy]

Reviews coming in, 86 on OC and MC currently. Pretty in line with Eternal which was 89. Would have been hard to top that entry so not surprising.

Doom: The Dark Ages Reviews

While its story and some set pieces don’t always land and repetition can creep in late, the satisfying gunplay, weighty mechanics, and strong pacing make it a compelling action experience.

opencritic.com

DOOM: The Dark Ages Reviews

Announcing DOOM: The Dark Ages, the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, and the third installment of the modern DOOM series. Developed by id Software on the latest idTech engine, DOOM: The Dark Ages is a single-player action FPS that tells the epic cinematic origin...

www.metacritic.com

 

[Valhoven]

Reviews coming in, 86 on OC and MC currently. Pretty in line with Eternal which was 89. Would have been hard to top that entry so not surprising.

Doom: The Dark Ages Reviews

While its story and some set pieces don’t always land and repetition can creep in late, the satisfying gunplay, weighty mechanics, and strong pacing make it a compelling action experience.

opencritic.com

DOOM: The Dark Ages Reviews

Announcing DOOM: The Dark Ages, the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, and the third installment of the modern DOOM series. Developed by id Software on the latest idTech engine, DOOM: The Dark Ages is a single-player action FPS that tells the epic cinematic origin...

www.metacritic.com

Thanks for this.

I read the critique that the more open-map mission structure doesn't complement play well. Didn’t know they changed up level design with this one.

I enjoyed snooping for runes in 2016, for example, but don’t want proper exploration in a Doom title; maybe that’s just me.

Do you know anything more about that re Dark Ages mission design?

 

[Dizzy]

Thanks for this.

I read the critique that the more open-map mission structure doesn't complement play well. Didn’t know they changed up level design with this one.

I enjoyed snooping for runes in 2016, for example, but don’t want proper exploration in a Doom title; maybe that’s just me.

Do you know anything more about that re Dark Ages mission design?

I have heard that the level design was changed up from the enclosed arena spaces but it seems like a good switch for the combat style in this game. From everything I’ve seen, you’re moving horizontally rather than vertically so having open spaces would be a necessity.

I haven’t seen anything directly saying it’s open world, just a more open design with hordes of enemies.

 

[Valhoven]

Dex just posted on this. Combat loop is arguably Doom at its best(!) but level design questionable:

Doom: The Dark Ages has an exceptional combat loop that is among the best in series history. However, in a desire to expand on a winning formula, id Software has fallen short of the high bar it set with Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal.

Although id may have changed up the formula, they’ve struck gold for a third time running. They’ve managed this by slowing down the pace and forcing players to stand their ground in what often becomes a bullet hell shooter. During its best moments, it’s one of the most satisfying FPS games I’ve played in some time.

However, monotonous level design fails to keep up the momentum in broader open areas, the story struggles greatly from pacing issues, and new dragon-riding and mech-piloting sections leave a lot to be desired.

Full read here. (External)

 

[KaNesDeath]

Some gameplay footage:

 

[Law Talkin’ Guy]

I watched the first two minutes and last two minutes of GManLives review of it. He liked it but says in his opinion it will replace Doom 3 as the “black sheep” of the franchise.

I’m curious what the opinion of it will be from those players that preferred Doom 2016 over Doom Eternal, because I find that the people that like Doom Eternal more basically had their minds made up months ago that this wasn’t going to live up to Eternal, but as a person who prefers 2016 I’m curious to check out TDA.

 

[Zazen]

A lot of reviews whining about the dragon and mech sections calling them boring. Still glad they tried new stuff. I’ll take a lower revised game that tries new stuff than a higher scored game than just repeats what Eternal did. Hopefully they keep changing it up

 

[Satur9]

I watched the first two minutes and last two minutes of GManLives review of it. He liked it but says in his opinion it will replace Doom 3 as the “black sheep” of the franchise.

I’m curious what the opinion of it will be from those players that preferred Doom 2016 over Doom Eternal, because I find that the people that like Doom Eternal more basically had their minds made up months ago that this wasn’t going to live up to Eternal, but as a person who prefers 2016 I’m curious to check out TDA.

I prefer 2016 to Eternal too, and not quite sold on Dark. I like shooters more twitchy and corridor shooter-style, and Eternal had much more verticality, and that is the reason for my opinion of 2016>Eternal

You bring up an interesting observation though, and it will be interesting to see what the regular joes like myself have to say about it.

 

[KaNesDeath]

A lot of reviews whining about the dragon and mech sections calling them boring. Still glad they tried new stuff. I’ll take a lower revised game that tries new stuff than a higher scored game than just repeats what Eternal did. Hopefully they keep changing it up

Eternal is peak single player FPS gameplay. It however isnt accessible to the wider gaming audience. This appears to be leaning more into the Call of Doom meme.