There are a good amount of movies and TV shows out there that will show you brutal action and gore. But in the gaming industry, it’s not very common. Few game franchises revel in blood and brutality quite like Doom, and Doom: The Dark Ages is set to push the boundaries further in 2025.
id Software has gone all-in on making its latest game a visceral, gore-filled spectacle. And we’re all for it, especially given that game director Hugo Martin has already said that it will have “the best gore in the industry.” A big part of this promise comes from one particularly over the top weapon in the game.
Doom: The Dark Ages is going to be even more brutal than before
One of the Doom’s franchise’s most successful aspects has always been that it lets us experience fast, brutal, and all-out combat. Doom: The Dark Ages will continue this tradition with a gore system that’s been taken to a new level. At least that’s what game director Hugo Martin said to PC Gamer. But exactly how is id Software going to do that? With this thing called a Skullcrusher.
New doom game has a gun that grinds up skulls and shoots out the fragments. pic.twitter.com/jwVMNe3vfA
— Designated Kitty (@Designatedkitty) June 9, 2024
The Skullcrusher is a weapon that lives up to its name. Previously called the Bonecrusher, this gun is a mix between a minigun and a demonic blender. You know why? Because it doesn’t just fire bullets, it shreds demons into pieces. Martin describes the weapon as a “weed whacker,” that players can use to mow down enemies with ease.
At this point, it’s destructible demons version three, from 2016 to Eternal to now. We’ve got, I’d like to think, the best gore in the industry.
Our gore system is really where we spend a lot of money. So that, coupled with the falters, the incredible animations, the physics, the sound design, the blood squibs, we really create that [Robocop] moment.
The formula of gore for the Doom franchise has evolved across multiple games, starting with Doom (2016) and then later advancing to Doom Eternal. But with Doom: The Dark Ages, id Software is going to deliver an even more detailed and grotesque level of carnage.
doom and mad max are two franchises i can count on to be raw as fuck for the sake of being raw as fuck
— red 🦌 ☻ (@bonesandknives) June 9, 2024
If you fire the Skullcrusher at point-blank range, it won’t just kill the enemy, it holds them in place, shaking as their limbs are torn apart. And before you ask, his level of gore isn’t just an aesthetic choice.
It’s a fundamental part of Doom’s identity, and the developers have invested heavily in making it feel satisfying.
It’s shaping up to be a great Doom experience
Doom is primarily known for its gameplay, but this time around, id Software is also putting a greater focus on the story. That is because there are a lot of us players who enjoy the lore and story in Doom. Studio director Marty Stratton and the developers have noted this, stating that “a Doom game that doesn’t have a story is just an arcade game.” (via GamesRadar)
The game will also feature massive levels, rideable dragons, and a medieval-inspired setting. We’re going to see a lot of new layers to the formula, but the main gameplay loop of nonstop demon-slaying will still be there. Exploration has been expanded, but not at the cost of action. We will still be tearing through hordes of enemies with an arsenal of over-the-top weaponry.
With its release set for May 15, Doom: The Dark Ages is shaping up to be one of the most intense and visually brutal entries in the franchise. We can also expect it to be one of the biggest games of 2025.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
