Mother. Of. God. Bethesda released a new trailer for DOOM, due out May 13th, and it is bloody amazing.
I know that I’ve said sometimes I try to hide myself from pre-release videos, marketing, and hype to keep expectations in check. Sometimes the excitement from anticipation leading up to a game’s release is better than the game itself (I’m looking at you, Star Wars: Battlefront). Yet with DOOM, something just feels…different.
Maybe it’s because the game is calling back to the original titles, disregarding the “corridor horror” feel of DOOM 3. Under Bethesda’s tutelage, the focus seems to be on vibrant enemies, grim environments, and non-stop frantic action. This undoubtedly feels right at home with not only the franchise’s roots, but also the acclaimed Brutal DOOM mod. It’s as if the positive reception of 2014’s Wolfenstein: The New Order served as a message for the return of DOOM: sometimes it’s not about being cute and innovative. Sometimes you just need to focus on what you’re good at and feature that for ten to fifteen hours.
One of the biggest surprises from the minute long campaign trailer is the fact that the game is due out on May 13th, which is three months for now. More importantly, that’s also before E3. While PAX East will take place at the end of April, where I imagine DOOM will be a focus as Bethesda has fully embraced the convention in the past by featuring Elder Scrolls Online and Wolfenstein: The New Order before launch, the question then becomes what is Bethesda featuring at E3? We already know Dishonored 2 is in the works and I’d be shocked if Fallout 4 DLC wasn’t coming soon. What’s left in terms of big name releases? An Elder Scrolls Online expansion? A brand new IP? Lots and lots of time discussing the games we already know about?
…Quake? Is it too soon to bring back Quake?
