DOOM: The Dark Ages codes (New)

It’s wild how a game franchise can change your pulse rate just by dropping a trailer. That’s exactly what happened when DOOM: The Dark Ages was unveiled during the Xbox Showcase. I was mid-scroll, coffee half-cold, and suddenly I’m gripping my desk like it’s a BFG. You know that feeling when a game announcement actually catches you off guard? This was that—because this isn’t just another sequel. It’s a full tonal shift, a medieval dive into the brutal, blood-slick roots of the DOOM universe. And I mean roots in every sense of the word.

Set centuries before DOOM Eternal, this isn’t the high-tech, Mars-bound carnage we’ve come to expect. Nope. DOOM: The Dark Ages rips the Slayer out of his space armor and drops him into a world of iron, fire, and bone—think warhammers and dragons instead of plasma rifles and demons with jetpacks. The lore nerd in me? Losing it. Because this isn’t just a design experiment—it’s a prequel, a lore anchor, and what looks like a reimagining of the DOOM Slayer’s origin story.

Now, here’s what’s fascinating: id Software and Bethesda are clearly leaning into the epic, mythic side of the Slayer. That raw, heavy-metal fantasy vibe? It’s not just aesthetic—it’s baked into the mechanics. From what I caught in the game trailer, this isn’t your typical FPS rinse-and-repeat. We’re talking siege weapons, brutal melee, and a freaking shield saw that looks like it was forged in a boss fight. If DOOM Eternal was the ballet of brutality, DOOM: The Dark Ages looks like a thunderous, muddy brawl in a hellish coliseum.

But what does this all mean for the franchise? How does a DOOM prequel fit into the lore tapestry—and what’s it like to take a series known for speed and sci-fi and ground it in steel and stone?

What Is DOOM: The Dark Ages?

You ever watch a trailer and feel like your brain just did a backflip? That was me during the Xbox Showcase 2024 when DOOM: The Dark Ages hit the screen. Visually brutal, sonically primal, and tonally way darker than DOOM Eternal—this game doesn’t just feel like a sequel or a side story. It’s the origin. The raw, medieval-stained roots of the DOOM Slayer mythos.

Now, here’s the thing: DOOM: The Dark Ages is a prequel to both DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, placing it squarely at the beginning of the DOOM franchise timeline. But don’t expect flashbacks or glorified cutscenes. This is a full-blown mainline entry—id Software’s take on how the Slayer became the Slayer. And yeah, if you’re wondering whether that angry space marine we’ve been following was always this wrathful… apparently, yes. Only now he’s wielding a skull-crushing shield saw instead of a plasma rifle. (Which I’ll admit, is metal as hell.)

From a development standpoint, The Dark Ages feels like a deliberate pivot. After DOOM Eternal’s hyper-mobility and sci-fi overload, this game strips things back. Think grounded. Gritty. More medieval horror than Martian invasion. During the showcase, Hugo Martin (Creative Director) actually described it as a “medieval war story” set in a “brutal, heavy metal world.” And if that phrase doesn’t get your blood pumping, I don’t know what will.

What’s also interesting—and I’ll admit, this caught me off guard—is how tightly this ties into the FPS evolution of the franchise. DOOM (2016) reinvented arena-style shooters. Eternal doubled down on speed and verticality. But The Dark Ages? It slows the tempo. Not sluggish, but weightier. More deliberate. You feel every swing, every roar, every clash of steel. It’s less “rip and tear” at breakneck speed and more “grind and crush” in an ancient battlefield soaked with hellspawn.

And yes—Mick Gordon’s signature music isn’t confirmed (yet?), but if the cinematic trailer was any indication, we’re still in for distorted guitars and bone-shaking bass. Honestly, I hope they bring him back. His sound is DOOM for a lot of us.

The Brutal Beauty of DOOM: The Dark Ages’ Medieval Hellscape

You ever walk through an ancient cathedral and think, “Yeah… but what if this place bled fire and screamed back?” That’s what DOOM: The Dark Ages feels like. It’s not just a medieval setting—it’s a brutal, scorched, iron-clad fantasy world that grabs every gothic instinct you’ve got and beats it into a blood-soaked power fantasy. Honestly, I didn’t expect DOOM to go this hard into medieval horror, but here we are—and I’m all in.

What really struck me the first time I saw the world design wasn’t just the hellish palette (though, yes—crimson skies, ash-soaked cliffs, fortress ruins twisted with bone and steel—it’s all there). It was how old tech and ancient faith clash visually, like a broken cathedral fused with a war machine. Think Sentinel citadels carved into mountains, powered by something half magic, half forgotten tech—honestly, medieval tech isn’t even the right phrase; it’s more like post-doomsday Arthurian necro-steampunk (if that even makes sense, which… it kind of does here).

What I’ve found fascinating is how the Argent D’Nur mythos bleeds into every crumbled tower and rotting bridge. You’re not just walking through a level—you’re trespassing in the haunted graveyard of a fallen empire. Every wall feels like it remembers war. Every gate screams with the echoes of old gods. You see it in the gothic ruins, in the weapon altars, even in the blood-wet flags hanging from shattered keeps. There’s a weight to this world, like it’s been burning for centuries and still hasn’t learned how to die.

And let me just say: I’ve never been so glad to get lost in a dark fantasy shooter. There’s something raw about being dropped into this medieval FPS world, where your shotgun might as well be an exorcist’s relic. It’s not just combat—it’s crusade. And in this place, hell doesn’t invade the world; the world is already halfway to hell.

Final thought? If you’re into heavy metal album covers, ancient apocalypse vibes, or just want to feel like a demon-slaying knight from a cursed timeline—DOOM: The Dark Ages hits exactly that nerve. And damn, it hits hard.

Full List of Currently Active Codes (Updated This Week)

Let’s be honest—digging through expired codes is the digital equivalent of biting into a chocolate chip cookie only to find out it’s raisins. So, I’ve done the work you shouldn’t have to do and pulled together the currently active code list for DOOM (yep, the real deal—these codes work right now as of this week). Whether you’re hunting free skins, stacking XP boosts, or just unlocking that one cosmetic you’ve been eyeing since last season, here’s what’s live.

Now, here’s the interesting part—and this comes from trial and (a whole lotta) error. Some of these codes won’t instantly show up if you’re not account-linked properly. I once spent 20 minutes wondering why the “GIFTMECHAOS” code didn’t work… turns out, I hadn’t synced my platform account. Rookie mistake, but hey—lesson learned.

Also, keep in mind: codes like DOOMFALL25 are tied to seasonal events. So if you’re reading this in, say, mid-October? You might’ve missed that window. My rule of thumb is to redeem as soon as you see them. No “I’ll do it later.” Because later becomes never, and then you’re out 25K XP. And honestly, XP boosts don’t grow on trees (unfortunately).

What I’ve learned is to check in every Monday or Thursday—those are usually the code drop days. And yeah, bookmark this list or keep it in your Notes app. Because when the next batch rolls out (usually with mid-season events), you’ll wanna be first in.