Summary
After a decade-long hiatus, theDoomfranchise returned in full force in 2016. Replacing its predecessor’s survival horror vibes with a strong focus on fast-paced action, 2016’sDoomoffered a refreshing shooter experience that hearkened back to the glory days of the arena shooter genre while still having plenty of modern trimmings. Four years later,Doom Eternal wasreleased, doubling down on the franchise’s successful new formula by adding plenty of intricate combat and exploration mechanics. But before that formula even has a chance of going stale,developer id Softwareis shaking things up withDoom: The Dark Ages.
Following months of rumors,Doom: The Dark Ageswas officially announced during the recent Xbox Showcase back in June, delivering an impressive debut trailer. Coming in at just two minutes,Doom: The Dark Ages' announcement trailer does a great job of showcasing the series' latest bold, new direction. This time, rather than switch up the gameplay or tone,Doom: The Dark Agesis refreshing the formula by delivering an all-new setting, and it’s an approach that theHalofranchise might want to borrow.
Doom: The Dark Ages Should Inspire a New Type of Halo Game
Doom: The Dark Ages Is Putting a Fresh Spin on the Franchise’s Formula
Based on the one trailer released so far, it seems as thoughDoom: The Dark Ageswill continue to embrace the fast-paced action formula present in the series since the 2016 reboot. Players will still be suiting up as the Doom Slayer and mowing down hordes of demons with all manner of weaponry. It’sDoom: The Dark Ages' settingthat will really set it apart from its predecessors.
While the vast majority of previousDoomentries have all revolved around Sci-Fi settings like colonies on Mars, Earth in the midst of a Hellish invasion, and Hell itself,Doom: The Dark Agesis – as the name implies – taking things back in time. Acting as aprequel to 2016’sDoomandDoom Eternal,Doom: The Dark Ageswill see players assume the role of a much younger Doom Slayer as they battle through a dark fantasy, medieval-like setting. This setting affects the game’s lighting, sound design, enemy design, weapon design, and just about any other integral aspect ofDoom, putting a fresh spin on the reboot formula.
Halo Could Use a Similar Refresh
Generally speaking,Halo’s gameplay formula has remained largely the same across all of its mainline entries. While games likeHalo ReachandHalo 5bring squad mechanics into the mix, andHalo Infiniteexperimented with an open-world structure, the core identity ofHalo’s gameplay formula has stayed pretty much unchanged sinceHalo: Combat Evolved’s release in 2001. While it’s an award-winning formula, some fans are starting to feel like it’s getting a little tiresome. But rather than drastically changeHalo’s gameplay formula, the franchise simply needs to follow inDoom: The Dark Ages' footsteps, and explore some new settings.
TheHalouniverse is so much larger than any of the mainline games portray, and that means the series has no shortage of potential spinoff ideas just waiting in the wings. One of the most requestedHalospinoffs isa sequel toHalo 3: ODST, or some sort of spiritual successor. An ODST-led spinoff would be the perfect opportunity to explore a completely new setting and tone for theHaloformula, likely a much darker and more grounded one.
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.
