As DOOM: The Dark Ages gears up for its May 15 release on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Game Pass, id Software has revealed just how massive this new entry in the legendary shooter franchise will be. According to Hugo Martin, the game’s creative director, this dark fantasy reimagining of DOOM is “by far the biggest game we’ve ever made.”

Longer Than DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal

During a hands-on session followed by an in-depth interview, Martin told us that The Dark Ages will easily surpass the length of both DOOM (2016) and *DOOM Eternal* in terms of campaign length and content density.

According to HowLongToBeat, the 2016 DOOM takes around 11.5 hours to complete the main story, 16.5 hours with additional content, and 27 hours for 100% completion. DOOM Eternal pushes that further with 14.5 hours for the main campaign, 20.5 hours with extras, and 28.5 hours for full completion.

Martin emphasized that The Dark Ages will go well beyond those numbers:

“It depends on how you play the game. It’s by far longer than either [DOOM] 2016 or Eternal.“

Exploration, Secrets, and Customization Expand the Experience

The game’s length will vary depending on how deeply players explore, hunt for secrets, and invest in progression systems. Unlike the more linear structure of previous titles, The Dark Ages introduces larger sandbox-style levels filled with secret paths, hidden upgrades, combat challenges, and even puzzle-locked rewards. Players can upgrade their weapons, shields, and melee gear, creating more opportunities for progression and replayability.

Flexible Difficulty and Customization

Martin also noted that game length can be affected by difficulty settings. The Dark Ages will feature a wide array of options, including:

  • Preset difficulty modes

  • Customizable sliders for adjusting enemy damage, game speed, and parry timing windows

This level of gameplay customization ensures that players of all skill levels can tailor the experience—and its duration—to their preferences.

A Brutal Power Fantasy Like No Other

In our early impressions, we described DOOM: The Dark Ages as “the most brutal power fantasy we’ve ever played.” With epic set pieces including dragon-riding, mech combat, and a blend of linear and sandbox missions, it’s shaping up to be the most ambitious—and most replayable—DOOM yet.

No online multiplayer this time around, but id Software is betting big on its single-player campaign, positioning The Dark Ages as a landmark shooter experience and a major evolution for the franchise.

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