The upcoming DOOM The Dark Ages has been rated M18 for “violence and gore” by Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), offering a glimpse into the game’s brutal combat and lore as a prequel to 2016’s DOOM.
Per the IMDA summary, the game follows the Doom Slayer’s early rise as he defends a kingdom besieged by demonic forces. Players wield medieval weapons like a chainsaw-like “shield-saw” alongside firearms, pilot towering mechs, and even ride dragons to battle Hell’s armies. The rating notes “frequent depictions of violence and gore,” including dismemberment, blood-splattered environments, and visceral “Gory Kill” executions that bisect or disembowel enemies.
Bloodstains coat surfaces, weapons, and the Slayer’s visor during combat, while corpses and body parts litter the game’s hellish settings. One sequence briefly features a nude enemy character, though only buttocks are visible. The M18 rating permits “realistic violence, such as killing, maiming, or causing other serious injury to humanoid characters,” aligning with the franchise’s signature intensity.
Developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks, The Dark Ages is the third installment in the modern DOOM series and serves as a prequel to the 2016 reboot. The game introduces new mechanics, such as dazing enemies to activate execution prompts, and blends medieval weaponry with sci-fi elements like rocket launchers.
Scheduled for release on May 15, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, The Dark Ages aims to deepen the Doom Slayer’s mythos while maintaining the fast-paced combat that characterizes the series.
