New information, gameplay and a release date for DOOM: The Dark Ages was shared this morning during the Xbox Developer_Showcase.

DOOM: The Dark Ages will launch on May 15 this year. The game is a prequel to DOOM (2016), which will hide many secrets and links into that game while also serving as a good starting point for anyone wanting to jump into the DOOM series for the first time. Developer id Software also shared that for those who want to know and understand more of the story in the DOOM series, the key details will now be pulled out of the game’s codex and into the cutscenes. The world you’ll be exploring in DOOM: The Dark Ages will also be different as it’s been described as a ‘sandbox,’ with what sounded like optional objectives and player choice in what order to complete specific objectives before heading back along the main objective path.

Explaining the combat in DOOM: Eternal, the team said that in DOOM Eternal, “you felt like a fighter jet, but in DOOM: The Dark Ages, you’ll be an iron tank.” This game is taking a ‘stand and fight approach’ to the ‘run-and-gun’ of DOOM (2016) and the ‘jump-and-shoot’ of DOOM Eternal. The gameplay showcase below shows how the Shield Saw can be used to block, counter, traverse the environment, and hurl at enemies. There’s also a spiked flail and an electric gauntlet, making three melee weapons in total for this DOOM. The guns were also shown off, with several shotguns, an electrified gun, and something that looks like it’s sending out demon skulls as its ammunition type of choice.

Finally, fulfilling players’ dreams, in DOOM: The Dark Ages, you’ll be able to jump in and pilot a mech in this game called an ‘Atlan,’ and also a cybernetic dragon that lets you fly about.

Finishing Move is completing the music in DOOM: The Dark Ages. They previously worked on the soundtracks for The Callisto Protocol, Borderlands 3, and Crackdown 3.

DOOM: The Dark Ages launches on May 15 for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5. It’ll be available to play on day one on Game Pass.