Summary
Summer Game Fest saw the announcement of yet anotherDoomgame from id Software, and it’s looking to be the most metal game in the series yet. Seemingly taking place before the events ofDoom(2016),Doom: The Dark Ageslooks like it will be set in theDoomslayer’s time with fantasy-inspired sentinels, giving a medieval flair to the customary ripping and tearing.
Since his first appearance back in 1993, the Doomslayer (or Doomguy, for those who prefer the classics) has been one of the biggest icons in gaming, standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Mario, Sonic, and Samus. And the recent games from id Software show that he’s more than capable of surviving and thriving in today’s landscape. That means that the release ofDoom: The Dark Agesis the perfect time for the big guy to finally make one long-awaited guest appearance.
Doom: The Dark Ages is The Perfect Chance to Get Doomguy in Mortal Kombat 1
Doomslayer has been a highly-requested guest fighter inMortal Kombatfor years, especially after the 2016 game showed just how brutal a fighter the character can be. In the 2016 game and 2020’s follow-upDoom: Eternal,Doomslayer carries out glory killsthat put some fatalities to shame. He’d be right at home with characters like Sub-Zero, Raiden, Scorpion, and Kitana. And the upcoming game seems like the best reason for the crossover to finally happen.
It’s no secret that a lot of video game crossovers come about due to timely cross-promotion. Omni-Man and Homelander joinedMortal Kombat 1around the time their respective shows released new seasons,Falloutcharacters are appearing inFortnitein the wake of the successfulFalloutshow, and, of all characters,Black Adam was added to multiple gamesin promotion of The Rock’s theatrical outing as the Shazam villain.
In the same vein, a newDoomgame gives id and NetherRealm a perfect chance to collaborate andmake Doomslayer the fighting game character he was meant to be. Short-mid-range zoning with the super shotgun, chainsaw strikes at melee range, attacks utilizing the Crucible sword and the Hellbreaker hammer, devastating command grabs featuring glory kill style brutalities – the list of possibilities is endless. It doesn’t have to stop atMortal Kombat, either. There’s an almost limitless number of games that would have excellent crossover potential withDoom: The Dark Ages.
Games that Doom: The Dark Ages Could Possibly Crossover With
A Dungeons & Dragons Crossover Would Make Perfect Use of Doom: The Dark Ages’ Medieval-Inspired Setting
While most of these titles would probably just haveDoomthemed weapons or character cosmetics, the most promising franchise for really rich crossover content isDungeons & DragonsorBaldur’s Gate 3. TheDoomfranchise is home to a host of absolutely terrifying demons that would make themselves right at home in the fantasy setting, doubly so when thinking aboutDoom: The Dark Ages’ fantasy-inspired theme.
It’s easy to forget while playing the games, butDoom’s demons are absolutely terrifying to anything that isn’t the Doomslayer. Even something as basic as the common imp is more than a match for most ordinary humans. Mancubi, cacodemons, or even hell knights would make fantastic additions toDungeons and Dragon’s iconic roster of monsters and demons.
Ultimately, the Doomslayer’s latest gore-soaked adventure is giving fans a lot to be hyped about. Not just hype for the game itself, but for the possible content surrounding it as well. The franchise’s legendary status and ability to not take itself too seriously means that there’s a near limitless number of places Doomslayer or his demonic adversaries can show up as guests. Only time will tell if EVO crowds will ever get to hear that iconic announcer bellow: “Doom Slayer Wins! Flawless Victory!”
WHERE TO PLAY
BECOME THE SLAYER IN A MEDIEVAL WAR AGAINST HELLDOOM: 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 installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.
DOOM: 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 DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine.REIGN IN HELLAs the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites 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.STAND AND FIGHTExperience an epic story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this cinematic and action-packed story. Bound to serve as the super weapon of gods and kings, the DOOM Slayer fends off demon hordes as their leader seeks to destroy the Slayer and become the only one that is feared. Witness the creation of a legend as the Slayer takes on all of Hell and turns the tide of the war.DISCOVER UNKNOWN REALMSIn his quest to crush the legions of Hell, the Slayer must take the fight to never-before-seen realms. Mystery, challenges, and rewards lurk in every shadow of ruined castles, epic battlefields, dark forests, ancient hellscapes, and worlds beyond. Armed with the viciously powerful Shield Saw, cut through a dark world of menace and secrets in id’s largest and most expansive levels to date.
