In a recent interview with the game’s director, Hugo Martin, interesting details were revealed about the upcoming release of Doom: The Dark Ages, scheduled for May 15. Martin emphasized that the game will incorporate a robust melee combat and parry system, which could open the door to new challenges for hardcore players looking to conquer the title using only these mechanics.
Possible, it is, but fun, that’s another matter
While Martin suggested that completing the game exclusively with melee mechanics would be “somewhat complicated but possible,” he acknowledged that it might not be the most satisfying experience. He compared the experience to the well-known challenges in the Dark Souls community, where managing to complete the game without taking damage or exclusively with one type of weapon fosters a strong sense of community and challenge among players. Martin mentioned that if players managed to complete “no damage” or “pistol only” challenges in Doom 2016, it is very likely they will find ways to do the same in his new installment.
However, producer Marty Stratton warned that a run with only melee could result in being “clumsy and not necessarily fun,” suggesting that the game is not designed for those types of challenges, unlike other titles like Dishonored 2, which included a special achievement for completing the game without using powers.
Doom: The Dark Ages promises a new arsenal and combat experiences, although players may face situations where ranged damage mechanics are unavoidable. Interest in the game is growing, and many are eagerly awaiting the release that promises to offer new dimensions in the iconic Doom universe.
