Bethesda and id Software dropped a new cinematic trailer for DOOM: The Dark Ages during WrestleMania 41, offering a deeper look at the DOOM Slayer’s origin and the looming war between gods, kings, and demons. It’s a bold follow-up to January’s Developer Direct, where we first saw DOOM: The Dark Ages in action and learned it’s launching May 15. If you missed it, our team’s first impressions captured the excitement around this darker, more atmospheric take on the series in DOOM: The Dark Ages Takes Us To The Beginning.
This new trailer focuses entirely on the story, teasing new enemies, medieval-inspired tech, and an army of demons ready to face the Slayer. With pre-orders now live and Xbox bundles already revealed—check out our coverage of the DOOM: The Dark Ages Limited Edition Accessories—the road to launch is officially underway.
Now that the story is taking centre stage, we’re getting a clearer picture of how DOOM: The Dark Ages stands apart from what’s come before.
A Medieval Origin for the DOOM Slayer
The new trailer confirms that DOOM: The Dark Ages is more story-focused than any previous game in the series. Set before the events of DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, it follows the Slayer’s origin as a divine weapon created to fight back against Hell’s growing power. Humanity is divided, the Night Sentinels are desperate, and a high-ranking demon is after something that could wipe them all out.
Rather than ramping straight into action, the cinematic opens with a somber tone. The Slayer, restrained and silent, is reluctantly unleashed by those who once feared him. Cutscenes show the Makyrs and Night Sentinels clashing with demonic forces, while flashes of skyships, massive siege battles, and otherworldly horrors hint at a larger scale than usual.
Even with little gameplay, the trailer blends heavy metal energy with dark fantasy imagery. It’s a shift in style that still feels unmistakably DOOM. And based on what I’ve seen so far, the Slayer isn’t just a force of destruction—he’s a last resort.
Heavy Metal Meets Heavy Artillery
The trailer might focus on the story, but it doesn’t hold back on brutal new weapons. One of the first glimpses shows the Slayer firing a massive crossbow—clearly DOOM’s answer to medieval heavy weaponry. Another shot highlights a bladed shield that he throws across the battlefield, slicing through enemies before returning like a buzzsaw boomerang. These additions push the series into darker, more grounded territory without losing its signature chaos.
Short first-person flashes tease more melee-heavy options, including maces and morning stars alongside the usual shotguns and launchers. The action feels heavier and more deliberate, with animations suggesting a stronger emphasis on timing and impact.
The trailer also confirms what fans had speculated: you’ll get to ride a dragon and control a towering mech. Both appear briefly, hinting at larger, cinematic sequences that expand the scope of DOOM’s usually tight corridors. It’s still linear, but the scale already feels different.
Locked, Loaded, and Ready
With its focus on cinematic storytelling, medieval weaponry, and large-scale battles, DOOM: The Dark Ages is shaping up to be a very different kind of DOOM. The story trailer adds weight to the Slayer’s role as more than a weapon—he’s the last line of defense in a collapsing world. Between the chained introduction, the rising demon threat, and the brutal new arsenal, there’s a lot to take in—and even more to look forward to.
DOOM: The Dark Ages launches May 15 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, PC, Game Pass, GeForce NOW and Battle.net. The Premium Edition includes early access on May 13, plus the Digital Artbook and Soundtrack, the Divinity Skin Pack, and future campaign DLC. Bethesda also confirmed Arabic and Turkish support for subtitles and UI at launch.
With new footage now live and pre-orders open, the countdown to launch is officially on. What’s your take on the new tone and direction? Let us know what you think of the trailer—and which weapon you want to try first.
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