Doom: The Dark Ages could be the weird sequel the series needs

Following Doom’s Revellirally Rebout in 2016 and a larger but not necessarily better sequel in 2020 Destiny: Dark Ages It’s doing exactly what it needs to be: focus and you can get something strange with it. With a focus on dramatic changes in the setting and the devil’s punch-out from toe toe, looks Like a hard left turn in the series. But after some time at demo builds at a recent in-person preview event, I believe Dark AgesAdding ‘ destiny The 2016 formula is thematic and mechanically cohesive, and it’s really interesting.

destiny (2016) was a mechanical purity exercise. Like its 1993 name, it was easy to weave between desperate arena combat and environmental exploration. A major addition to the formula was the glorious killing. This is a melee finisher who essentially transformed wounded enemies into health packs and encouraged them to stay in battle at all times. The game successfully designed the propellant combat, but lost steam in the second half. By that point, you handed all your weapons, introduced all your demon enemies, and allowed one big movement upgrade in the form of a double jump.

Eternal destiny Built in 2016 destinyThe basics of the thing. In addition to the usual spread of a large gun, there were arm blades, double jumps, air dashes, shoulder-mounted flamethrowers (which could also shoot ice grenades), laser claymores, and what was called “blood punches.” The big pile of new mechanics allowed for a more stable treat drip in that playtime, but it was neither as elegant nor focused as its predecessor.

Destiny: Dark Ages I feel like I’m approaching the sweet spot. I don’t like it very much Eternal’S descendants and seem to be their strange young brother. Another, different The evolution of design in 2016 built something fresh on that foundation. You still run fast, find key cards, shoot demons, but the ID software strips you of the flamethrower, air dash and blood punches on your shoulder, replacing them with many new systems.

Doom Slayer’s new buzz saw blade shield is at the heart of this mechanical streamlining. It’s always on your left hand and it’s always justifying the space that lies on the screen. Its most basic function is as a shield. Imagine that. When you move forward under fire, you can lift it and cover yourself. Its slightly less basic function is as a tennis racket. A quick tap on the shield button parries a green projectile on the enemy. Dark Ages. The designer clearly wants you to approach and personal reach with this one, and your own melee attack has received a serious buff for that purpose.

how Do you reach the nearest? Use a shield. The defensive tool is also an exercise tool equipped with shield dashes that lock onto enemies and zip towards them surprisingly quickly. Upon arrival, it unleashes a shock wave that sticks a small demon. But the bigger demon might want to go for a few rounds. Trade hits and you may find yourself burning a limited inventory of melee attacks. How do you replenish it? Use the shield again. A successful Parry will replenish melee charging, so skillful defenses will turn you into a permanent violence machine.

If that’s not enough, you can also chuck the bad guy’s blade shield to lock it down. An enemy with your buzz saw shield staying in your head doesn’t necessarily die, but they’ll be stunlocked until you remember your shield. A handy trick to get more powerful demons out of the battle for a few seconds while focusing on cleaning cannon feed.

Assign many of the new mechanics to the shield. everytime On the screen, it’s pretty smart. That meant that when I abolished each of my chaotic encounters, I never forgot about my new abilities. If torn by the Mancubus Plasma Orb or Cyber ​​Demon’s Energy Sword, the necessary tools were there, swaying to the left of the crosshair, Accurate application The tool was up to me. I have always been thinking about how to weave shields into the flow of combat, whether it be movement, defense or attack.

Speaking of attacks, guns are good. I played with mainstays like combat shotguns and plasma rifles, but my favorite was the arsenal of comical, brutal medieval gimmicks. From a seemingly bottomless magazine, the Parverizer supplies a grinder that stirs the rune registered skull and creates a spray of constant bone frechette on the horizon. The chain shot is charged and fires a retractable iron ball. Impaler fires giant railway spikes that pin the demons to the wall. Even shredders that initially feel like machine guns with reskins will achieve new mechanical complexity when upgraded. After applying swappable weapon mods, it becomes a very hot target with concentrated fire, and those plumbing hot demons can explode with properly positioned shield throws.

That’s what I think is most promising Destiny: Dark Ages. Before we talk about how it connects directly to another element and how that element connects to another element and to another element, we can’t talk about one element with it. In its combat design, there is a smart economy and is designed to reward the use of its tool width. Thumbs up through the upgrade menu even seems to have room for build crafting. It is to speculate mods and skills to take advantage of synergy that improves a particular playstyle.

Destiny: Dark Ages“The willingness to try something new is fascinating, and for a franchise that has been launched and rebooted, it may be necessary. We’ve been to Mars. We’ve been to Hell. We’ve been to Hell. We’ve been to Hell! We didn’t doubt that ID could squeeze another fun help from Doom, but it was really not itching to see Doomguy return to E1M1 for an emotional homecoming. Certainly, the freedom to build a new path makes the developer interested in their work. Weapons, worlds, monsters, and more. Dark Ages A drip like adolescent enthusiasm that can only be seen when the artist is given permission to be a little strange. On the other hand, implementation of new mechanisms seems wise and thoughtful.

We haven’t seen yet whether the new approach will combine into a great game, but we’re excited to know when Destiny: Dark Ages Released on May 15th.