Doom: The Dark Ages is one of my most anticipated games of 2025. That’s no surprise given how much I loved Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal — the latter is the game I always play when testing the best gaming laptops and best gaming PCs. But id Software’s upcoming game isn’t just a copy of its predecessors. It’s something more daring… and brutal.

As shown during the Xbox Developer_Direct 2025 live stream, Doom: The Dark Ages is a prequel to Doom 2016 that delves deeper into the game’s lore. We’ll once again take on the role of the Doomslayer as he battles demonic hordes while uncovering the machinations of the villains he faces. The game focuses on grounded combat that hearkens back to the original 1993 Doom and takes place in expansive environments you can explore at your own pace.

Based on what we’ve seen and what the developers told me during a virtual briefing, Doom: The Dark Ages could be the most badass game of the year. As a fan of the franchise, I cannot wait to sink my teeth into this game. Here are 5 reasons why.

Like its predecessors, Doom: The Dark Ages has no shortage of brutal combat scenarios. But unlike the corridor shooter-focused Doom 2016 or acrobatic-leaning Doom Eternal, The Dark Ages is all about holding your ground and bringing pain to your foes. This is certainly more akin to the original Doom, though you now have new tools to facilitate grounded combat.