"Doom: The Dark Ages Inspired by Eternal's Marauder"

When director Hugo Martin unveiled the "stand and fight" mantra for Doom: The Dark Ages during Xbox's Developer Direct earlier this year, it immediately piqued my interest. This concept starkly contrasts with id Software's previous title, Doom Eternal, known for its fast-paced, constantly moving combat. Yet, there's one enemy in Eternal that embodies this "stand and fight" ethos—the Marauder. Often considered the most controversial enemy in the Doom series, the Marauder is adored by some, including myself, and despised by others. The moment I realized that the key to mastering The Dark Ages' combat involved reacting to bright green lights—the same mechanic crucial for defeating the Marauder—I knew I was fully on board.

Rest assured, The Dark Ages doesn't confine you to a frustrating duel like Eternal's Marauder encounters. While it introduces the Agaddon Hunter, an enemy with a bulletproof shield and deadly combo attacks, the essence of Eternal's challenging battles is woven into the fabric of every enemy in The Dark Ages. The concepts that made the Marauder unique have been reimagined and integrated into the game's core combat system, resulting in encounters that retain the strategic depth of Marauder fights without the associated frustration.

The Marauder is an exceptional adversary in Doom Eternal. Typically, battles in Eternal involve you dashing around the arena, slicing through weaker foes and juggling larger threats. Eternal has been described as a management game, where you not only handle resources but also manage the battlefield using speed, space, and an array of weapons. However, the Marauder disrupts this flow, demanding undivided attention, often in one-on-one confrontations. When he appears amidst other enemies, the best strategy is to evade his attacks, clear the surrounding mobs, and then face him head-on.

Doom Eternal's Marauder is one of the most controversial enemies in FPS history. | Image credit: id Software / Bethesda

"Stand and fight" in Doom Eternal doesn't mean standing still; it's about controlling the battlefield through strategic positioning. Approach the Marauder too closely, and he'll hit you with a nearly unavoidable shotgun blast. Retreat too far, and he'll pelt you with projectiles that are easier to dodge but keep you out of range for his axe swing. The key is to provoke his axe attack because the Marauder is only vulnerable during its wind-up. His energy shield absorbs all gunfire, so you must position yourself perfectly to exploit this brief window of vulnerability. When his eyes flash bright green, that's your signal to strike.

In Doom: The Dark Ages, bright green flashes also play a crucial role. In homage to the series' roots, demons unleash volleys of projectiles reminiscent of bullet hell. Within these volleys, special green missiles can be parried using the Doom Slayer's new shield, sending them back at the attackers. Initially, this is a defensive tactic, but as you progress and unlock the shield's rune system, parrying becomes a potent offensive move, capable of stunning demons with lightning or activating your shoulder-mounted auto-targeting cannon.

Navigating the battlefields of The Dark Ages involves engaging in a series of focused one-on-one battles with various formidable demons. While survival doesn't solely depend on reacting to green lights, mastering the shield's runes makes parrying a vital part of your arsenal. Integrating this into your combat strategy reveals that The Dark Ages' parry mechanics share a kinship with Eternal's Marauder encounters. You must find the optimal distance, as demons won't fire projectiles up close, and when green orbs appear, you need to position yourself to intercept them. Just as with the Marauder, quick reflexes are essential to execute the parry, demanding constant focus as you move across the battlefields.

The Marauder's main criticism was its disruption of Doom Eternal's flow, requiring a different approach than the rest of the game. This is precisely why I appreciate the Marauder; while Eternal asks you to perform a ballet, the Marauder demands you breakdance. Eternal was a game that broke the traditional rules of first-person shooters, pushing players to rethink resource management, weapon choices, and engagement tactics. The Marauder challenged even these new rules, presenting the ultimate test. While I enjoy this challenge, I understand why many found it frustrating.

![](/uploads/24/682736e99f8f0.webp>The Agaddon Hunter may be the most Marauder-like enemy in The Dark Ages, but every demon has a little bit of Eternal's most fearsome foe in them. | Image credit: id Software / Bethesda

Doom: The Dark Ages addresses this issue by incorporating various "dances" into its combat system. Each major enemy has its unique green projectile or melee strike, necessitating different strategies. For example, the Mancubus fires wide energy "fences" with green "pillars" at the ends, requiring you to weave to parry. The Vagary sends volleys of deadly spheres, compelling you to sprint and deflect as if playing a deadly game of tennis. The Revenant closely mimics the Marauder, remaining invulnerable until you deflect its green skulls launched in alternating patterns.

With each demon requiring unique footwork, the introduction of new enemies feels natural rather than disruptive. The Agaddon Hunter and Komodo present significant challenges with their intense melee combos, but by the time they appear, you're already accustomed to adapting your movement and reactions. This contrasts with the Marauder in Eternal, where the game's mechanics focused on using specific weapons for specific enemies, not the position and reaction-based tactics needed to defeat him.

The Marauder's design wasn't the issue; it was its unexpected rule-breaking that threw players off. Doom: The Dark Ages prepares you for similar challenges by making reaction-based mechanics a core part of the experience from the start, rather than a sudden change mid-game. While this shift makes the challenge less intense—the parry window is more forgiving than the Marauder's eye flash—the essence of the Marauder's strategy—synchronizing with an enemy, waiting for the right moment, and striking when the green light appears—is present in every encounter. Doom: The Dark Ages offers a fresh take on these ideas, yet they remain unmistakably familiar. You stand and you fight.