After years of waiting, DOOM: The Dark Ages is just around the corner, with only a few days left before it fully releases. Acting as a prequel to both the most recent DOOM: Eternal and DOOM (2016), the latest entry in the franchise will follow the Slayer's exploits during his time in service to the Maykrs. Forging new bonds and learning the full story that led to the events of the previous DOOM: Eternal, there's an even greater narrative focus that hasn't been seen much in the series before.

The story isn't the only new thing coming in The Dark Ages, as the release will offer a more boots-on-the-ground playstyle compared to Eternal's fast-paced dodging. Equipped with a deadly Shield Saw, you'll become an unstoppable force against the legions of hell while gaining a deeper insight into some of the most mysterious factions in the series. There's still some time before you can hop into Doom: The Dark Ages and experience its unique blend of sci-fi and fantasy action firsthand, but the wait won't be long.

Does DOOM: The Dark Ages Have Early Access?

The Dark Ages' Edition Offers Plenty Of Worthwhile Rewards

As has become increasingly common for games in the past few years, you can play Doom: The Dark Ages a full two days early by pre-ordering the Edition of the game. While the advanced access is by no means necessary to experience the entirety of The Dark Ages, as it doesn't include any exclusive gameplay content, it's more to incentivize players to the edition by offering exclusively timed rewards. Even if you don't feel like upgrading to , pre-ordering either edition of The Dark Ages will also grant you access to the exclusive void slayer skin.

The edition of The Dark Ages itself includes the previously mentioned two days of advanced early access, as well as the campaign DLC pack, a digital artbook, digital soundtrack, and three skins included in the Divinity Skin Pack. These cover a unique cosmetic for the Slayer himself, his mech, and the new dragon mount, with each of the skins offering a holy makeover that emphasises white and gold, alongside some red accents. Considering the emphasis that DOOM: Eternal had on cosmetics, there's bound to be more special additions and unlockable in-game content to style the Slayer with.

The campaign expansion is bound to be another action-packed adventure that ramps up the difficulty even more than the base game.

Unfortunately, there's no information about what The Dark Ages' campaign DLC will actually entail just yet, but if the previous DOOM: Eternal is anything to go by, the campaign expansion is bound to be another action-packed adventure that ramps up the difficulty even more than the base game. Although there isn't much of a precedent so far, The Dark Ages' WrestleMania reveal has me holding out hope that The Dark Ages will be the first in the trilogy to include a collaboration or crossover event sometime in the future.

DOOM: The Dark Ages Launch Date & Times

The Wait Is Nearly Over For DOOM's Highly Anticipated Prequel

As announced by Xbox on X, DOOM: The Dark Ages is releasing simultaneously across the globe rather than having a staggered release window, with all players gaining access at the same time. While this does mean that players from one region can't spoil the game for others that are still waiting, the times are a bit more inconvenient for some regions that release much earlier in the morning.

The pre-loading accessibility for The Dark Ages will also become available one full day before its launch at the same time as the planned release. With DOOM: The Dark Ages requiring up to 100 GB of available space, the advanced is a much-appreciated inclusion for those who want to play as soon as the game drops in their time zone. While only time will tell if DOOM: The Dark Ages can match up to or even sur the critical acclaim of its predecessors, I have high hopes that it can be another great entry.

Source: Xbox/X