Hugo Martin, Game Director on DOOM: The Dark Ages, has told PCGamer that it’s possible to finish the game without using a gun, but you’ll have your work cut out for you.
DOOM: The Dark Ages introduces new mechanics such as a hard-hitting melee system and parries, and so the publication asked Martin if it were possible to use these features for challenge runs — in other words, never touching a gun.
If people could beat Dark Souls with no damage and pistol-only Nightmare runs on [Doom 2016]. I’m sure people will figure out how to do it with the shield and the melee, because they’re pretty powerful, but you’d have a hard time, that’s for sure.
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Meanwhile, the game’s producer Marty Stratton warned that going for a melee-only run wouldn’t necessarily result in an enjoyable experience, likening it to taking on the 2016 DOOM armed with only a pistol.
The game’s not necessarily built to do that. Not like a Dishonored or something where you’re balancing the game for somebody to be able to do that.
DOOM: The Dark Ages is pencilled in for a release on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S on May 15, 2025. The game recently picked up an M18 rating, revealing the presence of (shock, horror!) ‘violence, maiming and serious injury.’
[Source – PCGamer]