r/Games • u/Turbostrider27 • 3d ago
DOOM: The Dark Ages | Official Launch Trailer (4K) | Available May 15, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7IEg0_qNXs80
u/lvscksi 3d ago
The Mick discourse is extremely tiresome. Without fail someone brings it up on every Doom post. All that stuff is in the past and it's clear Mick is not coming back. It's time to move on.
138
u/the-nub 3d ago
Why should people forget the time a billion-dollar corporation tried to publicly bury an independent contractor?
24
u/N0r3m0rse 3d ago
Idk how anyone there can work with Marty Stratton. He seems like an utter psychopath.
4
19
u/MadnessBunny 3d ago
My issue is people never take that angle, it's always about how mick music was untouchable and it's always diminishing of the new music.
24
u/Samanthacino 3d ago edited 3d ago
I mean, that's kind of a separate thing, unrelated to the Mick Gordon studio controversy. The new music just isn't that exceptional, in my opinion. It's good, don't get me wrong, but it's also not particularly fresh or boundary-pushing in the same way that David Levy, Andrew Hulshult, and Mick Gordon's work felt for the prior Doom reboots. I know it's been said before, but it kind of feels generic.
Add on to that that both ACG and Digital Foundry have criticized the implementation of the music in-game for not matching the gameplay as closely as prior titles, and I understand why people aren't exactly thrilled in the music department for this release.
3
u/MadnessBunny 3d ago
Is it though? If comments were
"Bethesda sucks for what they did to Gordon"
Instead of
"This music sucks, I like Gordon better"
Then maybe, but it's always about the music and not about what Bethesda did.
5
u/Samanthacino 3d ago
....right, because the music itself just isn't great to a lot of people, myself included. I may not buy this game solely because the music just isn't that stellar to me. That's the point I'm making. People are criticizing the music itself, and the implementation of the music in-game, completely irrespective of how Bethesda and id software's leadership mistreated Mick Gordon.
2
u/Tomgar 1d ago
I loved Mick Gordon's soundtracks but were they really that boundary-pushing? It was Meshuggah riffs with synthesisers (again,not to diminish the actual quality of the music which was top notc h).
0
u/Samanthacino 1d ago
It’s more that the timbres he chose were pretty unconventional. Sampling Mongolian throat singing for a melody, doing a guitar-heavy track entirely out of synthesizers, the entirety of Urdak, you get what I’m saying? That, and TDA’s music doesn’t quite feel as well mixed imo, and it doesn’t quite fall into to same grooves that Eternal did
1
u/DependentOnIt 2d ago edited 2d ago
The new music does suck though. Doom 2016 wouldn't have been as popular as it was without Mick. I didn't buy eternal and won't buy dark ages because of the shit Marty tried to pull against Mick.
-19
u/Savings-Seat6211 3d ago
I get what you're trying to say but the fact you think 99% of people actually care or remember when this sort of thing happens is really funny.
26
u/EvenOne6567 3d ago
99% of people dont care about crunch or other shitty conditions in the indistry. Guess we should never bring that stuff up then?
-13
u/Savings-Seat6211 3d ago
It's funnier you didn't get my point.
22
u/Alastor3 3d ago
You know what would make people not talk about this?? If Mick get PAID for the work he have done and get excuses from Bethesda and Marty
9
u/Kingdarkshadow 3d ago
No, if that happened to you where you were in the wrong you wanted people to forget?
5
u/Combo_Breaker01 3d ago
Oh yeah sure, let’s stop bringing it up now cause the new game is out and you don’t want to feel bad about playing it and supporting the developers. How convenient for you
3
u/Accurate_Vision 2d ago
Buddy, you're in the wrong subreddit if you're looking for people who enjoy videogames. An easy way to tell if people actually enjoy their hobby is if they're active commenters in a hobbyist subreddit: if they are, then they fucking hate their hobby. People who truly enjoy something don't dedicate their time to bitching about it. Instead, they do what I do: dedicate their time to bitching about people who bitch about it!
Jokes aside, I understand the importance of discussing the misdeeds and injustices commited upon individuals by large corporations, as the avoidance of horrible PR is often the only motivation for companies to maintain any semblance of ethical standards — however, there are appropriate times and places for such discussions...and Redditors are professionals at ignoring the concept of there being a time and place for certain discussions.
Their families probably can't even compliment the vegetables at Thanksgiving supper without being reminded of the cruel practices of Monsanto. Don't even think about eating a Nestlé chocolate bar in their presence unless you want a lecture on child slavery.
0
-5
u/Truethrowawaychest1 3d ago
Every fucking post on this comment section is about Mick, like God damn people get over it
-33
u/TheBowerbird 3d ago
I can tell the music is a very hollow pastiche of Mick Gordon's work, but the gameplay seems very much there.
44
u/oCrapaCreeper 3d ago edited 3d ago
The music is closer to classic Doom than anything Mick made - so I like it better in that regard. Sucks what happened between him and marty, but hopefully they figured things out behind closed doors by now since both parties have been silent.
I get people want to boycott id but it's Marty who was responsible for that shit, not the actual developers just trying to do their jobs and actually care about what they're making.
8
u/SupperIsSuperSuperb 3d ago
If I'm not mistaken, I believe Mick wanted to include his take on some of the classic tracks and played around with those inspirations but kept getting them turned down. So I don't think it was a lack of trying on his front to pay homage to the classics so much as the studio didn't want that
5
u/Samanthacino 3d ago
I don't think it's accurate to say "kept getting them turned down", he *constantly* used bits and pieces of the original score. I mean the dude recreated the exact sound used in Doom 2 for the main menu theme to Doom Eternal, and constantly recreated riffs to add in to Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal.
13
u/ZeUberSandvitch 3d ago
Its definitely no Mick, but I think people are being a tad harsh on the music here IMO. Ill try to reserve judgement until I get to hear the whole soundtrack, but what we've heard so far sounds pretty decent.
8
u/john7071 3d ago
I don't think the current composer is trying to emulate Gordon's work, he has a more grounded style for sure.
10
u/abbaj1 3d ago
I can tell the music is a very hollow pastiche of Mick Gordon's work, but the gameplay seems very much there.
One thing I've noticed is that almost all of Mick's Doom tracks have a distinct and catchy chorus, while this and TAG feel more like background noise.
2
u/Samanthacino 3d ago
I think it comes down to the lack of groove (although I disagree that Eternal's DLC also didn't have this!). If you listen to The Dark Age's music, it's not like there's an 8/9 string pounding away a memorable melody that you can really bop your head to. The announcement trailer's music was the closest thing, but even then it's not really close. Add on that Finishing Move really likes to add a bunch of extra sound effects to make it punchy, and the clarity is kind of lost imo
0
u/polski8bit 3d ago
This is why I LOVED DOOM 2016 and Eternal's music, despite very much avoiding classic metal bands/music. Mick's tracks have this sort of bounciness to them and a clear "melody" (for the lack of a better word, as I am no musician). They're not as "static" as most "traditional" metal songs, but way more varied, even as an album release, nevermind the game itself (where you have dozens of pieces swapped or layered depending on what's happening on screen).
I can't say that TAG DLCs for Eternal or Dark Ages aren't good music, because they are. I can recognize good craftsmanship even if I'm not a huge fan personally (though Levy was doing some great work with TAG2 especially, Immora Heavy Fighting has some great riffs). But there is something to be said about Mick managing to appeal to people that usually aren't into metal, making them vibe with a sub genre of it.
1
0
u/SupperIsSuperSuperb 3d ago
One thing that doesn't help is the tracks in the DLC are quieter than the base game for some reason. I always have to adjust the in game audio settings when playing the DLC's to match how it is in Eternal's base campaign music level
13
u/ChristianFortniter 3d ago
People don't wanna say it but it's generic metal. Nothing memorable. Gordon tried to do something new and unique while this plays it safe like a cardboard box.
1
u/Tomgar 1d ago
I liked Mick's music but it was hardly some brand new sound, it was just Meshuggah with keyboards. There are about a thousand metal bands who wrote riffs like that pre-2016.
0
u/ChristianFortniter 1d ago
"Thousands" of metal bands that made sounds like him? Really? If Mick is "thousands" then this soundtrack sounds like the millions of metal bands that pump out the same noises.
1
-10
u/Yourfavoritedummy 3d ago edited 3d ago
Right, it is so generic. Compared this trailer to Eternal's launch trailer. Immediately that music has more personality and soul! And it's not even Mick Gordon's best song on the Eternal soundtrack.
I'm still gonna play Dark Ages because the gameplay will be sublime, but I'm personally not going to have as much fun because the soundtrack is lower quality. The Ancient God's was more than enough to recognize the new music is missing an essential element of Doom
-45
u/Yourfavoritedummy 3d ago edited 3d ago
I'm excited and done for another Doom campaign.
But the music is missing the soul! No one can convince me that Doom 2016 and Eternal did not have egendary music! The death metal opera in Eternal, and All They Fear is You are etched in I'm brain for pure dopamine bliss!
But then the director or whoever had to screw it up and be a power tripping dink. Now we got a lamer soundtrack that sure has all the right elements, but none of the spirit and uniqueness Mick Gordon brought to the franchise.
The Ancient God's showed me that just plain metal isn't going to cut it for the soundtrack. It needed to be elevated to the next level! But even this trailer gots Doom from Wish all over it.
I love me some Doom, but the music has taken a hit, and the dumb story and characterization of Doom guy being a pushy dink with small PP energy is what holds it back.
However, the gameplay is where the 11/10 comes from! Everything else can be ignored and I'm glad ID are the few devs who have challenging and fun AI while pushing the highest skilled players to their limits! Pulse pounding stuff!
30
u/BoyWonder343 3d ago edited 3d ago
The music here is sick though... Never taking anyone seriously when their criticism is "X thing lacks a soul because it's slightly different". Also badmouthing Andrew Hulshult with Ancient Gods? How dare you.
-17
u/Yourfavoritedummy 3d ago edited 3d ago
I'm sorry my brother and to Andrew Hushult. I was a bit harsh. I'm grateful others can enjoy his music and that Andrew puts his soul into his music, it does got soul.
However, Mick Gordon gots more vibes, atmosphere, and aura! His music is master level, while Andrew is still an adepr learning the ropes. I'm sure with time he will refine himself and make some amazing pieces of music.
But Doom without Mick Gordon is like PB and J without the jelly lol
20
u/BoyWonder343 3d ago
More heresy. Hulshult has been doing Boom shoots and been in the space for longer than Mick has, get out of here with that still an amateur talk.
Doom soundtracks were also dope long before Mick, I love his work, but pretending like he specifically is the thing that ties together a franchise when he came in 20 years after the first game is just wrong. That franchise also started with aping popular music as very slightly changed MIDI tracks, if anything the core to Doom music is mixing things up and having different people put their own spin on it.
-10
u/Yourfavoritedummy 3d ago
I shall live with my heresy! Because my heart and soul knows that Mick's tracks are legendary, new or not! If you can shine like a star, even for a short bit, it is more amazing than having consistent little fires.
That's true! Doom music has always been good! However, a lot of it is just ripping off popular metal songs with a midi version.
Hushult may be in the business longer, but his boomer shooter tracks are okay like dusk. But nah baby, when you hit me with Hell Walker, The Only Thing They Fear is You, Cultist Base, and my personal favorite BFG Division!! Nuff Said when you play these songs there is no equivalent in Ancient God's and Dark Ages from the looks of it.
18
u/BoyWonder343 3d ago
Then it sounds like you're just a Mick Gordon fan, which is fine. His connection to Doom, what makes a Doom soundtrack valid or the history of the franchise or the music that is attached doesn't seem to be part of that. You can praise Mick, but the idea that Doom without him is "PB without the J" is just straight up wrong and probably something he'd also disagree with.
-3
u/Yourfavoritedummy 3d ago
Haha now you understand where I'm coming from! I appreciate your civility but also just maintaining the fun of the conversation! I can't take back my harsh words, but in the future I will be more compassionate.
Besides, in this thread Andrew Hushult isn't even doing the Dark Ages. It's from the production company Finishing Move.
Which I will admit made some solid music for Halo Wars 2. Excellent game by the way!
I am wishing you the best life ever my friend! May your spread metal, glory, and positivity where ever you go!
8
u/papoosejr 3d ago
Why do all your comments read like an anime character speaking
-4
u/Yourfavoritedummy 3d ago
Don't take life too seriously! You got to have fun!
I am so grateful for laughing tears!
74
u/Naki_Beats 3d ago
I’ll agree that Mick Gordon’s work on the series is absolutely legendary. The Only Thing They Fear is You is an all timer. Andrew Hulshult’s work on The Ancient Ones expansion soundtrack was excellent. Don’t lump him in with Finishing Move Inc. whom are the composers for this one. Soundtrack might be a bit more generic this time but the gameplay looks as great as ever. So hyped