Doom: The Dark Ages marks a striking new chapter in the iconic franchise, transporting the chaos and brutality of Hell into a medieval-inspired landscape brimming with lore, blood, and thunder. Developed by id Software and released in May 2025 by Bethesda Softworks, this latest entry rewrites the playbook on what it means to be the Doom Slayer, all while diving deeper into the mythos fans have come to revere.
A Savage Shift in Setting and Style
Set centuries before the events of Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, Doom: The Dark Ages offers an origin story that feels both massive in scale and personal in tone. Trading neon sci-fi for gothic spires and battlefields littered with broken bones, this prequel introduces players to the legendary rise of the Doom Slayer as he clashes with Maykrs, Night Sentinels, and the damned legions of Hell.
Where past games emphasized relentless agility and acrobatics, this title leans into power. The Slayer now moves like an “iron tank,” reflecting the era’s crude might over finesse. This isn’t just a skin change—it’s a full mechanical shift that defines every encounter.
Revolutionized Combat That Hits Harder Than Ever
Combat in Doom: The Dark Ages is more grounded, yet no less exhilarating. Players wield the Shield Saw, a dual-function weapon that allows for brutal parries, explosive shield bashes, and chainsaw-like devastation. It’s as brutal as it sounds—and shockingly versatile.
Complementing the Shield Saw are an arsenal of melee weapons including the Skull Crusher (a spiked flail perfect for pulverizing), a brutal mace, and armored gauntlets that make even the fiercest demon feel like a punching bag. These weapons introduce a rhythmic, almost gladiatorial pace to battles, where patience and timing often trump twitch reflexes.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Doom without its signature firearms. The Super Shotgun returns with its meaty roar, and familiar favorites like the Plasma Rifle and Rocket Launcher still carve paths through Hell’s hordes. Yet, the emphasis on close-range combat and strategic execution brings a refreshing change of pace.
Vehicles, Mechs, and Larger-than-Life Set Pieces
For the first time in the franchise, Doom: The Dark Ages introduces vehicle combat. Players take to the skies aboard a fiery Mecha Dragon, raining hell on airborne enemies in stunning aerial sequences. Later, you step into the Atlan, a towering mech used to crush massive demons in kaiju-scale battles that redefine “epic.”
These sequences don’t feel gimmicky—they’re integral to the game’s storytelling and pacing, adding scale and diversity without interrupting the core loop of ultra-violent satisfaction.
A Richer, More Cinematic Storyline
The narrative in Doom: The Dark Ages is its most cinematic yet. It explores the Doom Slayer’s origins, delving into the ancient war between humanity, the Maykrs, and Hell. You’ll uncover the lore of Argent D’Nur, manipulate cosmic energies, and defy the Tether that binds your fate—all through stylized cutscenes and immersive environmental storytelling.
Unlike previous entries, this game embraces storytelling more fully. While it remains mostly non-verbal, it uses atmosphere, codex entries, and stunning vistas to deliver emotional weight and philosophical depth without sacrificing momentum.
Visuals and Sound That Punch Through Reality
Powered by id Tech 8, the game looks absolutely phenomenal. Gothic castles are draped in shadows and fire, demon designs are grotesque in terrifying detail, and dynamic lighting brings every arena to life. The environments are destructible, further amplifying the chaos when battles reach their peak.
On the audio front, Finishing Move replaces Mick Gordon as composer, bringing a more orchestral-metal fusion. The soundtrack is thunderous and heavy, though some fans may miss the razor-sharp signature of previous Doom entries. Still, it complements the game’s darker, more grounded tone beautifully.
Where It Excels
- Deep, strategic combat: The shield and parry system adds weight and decision-making to every fight.
- Incredible visual design: From level architecture to demon modeling, it’s a visual powerhouse.
- Expansive world-building: Fans of Doom lore will find plenty to sink their teeth into.
- Epic scale: Mechs, dragons, and cinematic boss fights elevate the experience to mythic proportions.
Where It Falters
- Slower pace might not be for everyone: Players expecting the speed of Doom Eternal may feel initially restrained.
- Some combat rhythm can feel repetitive: Especially during shield-focused encounters.
- The absence of glory kills is noticeable: A feature fans may miss, despite the enhanced melee system.
- The soundtrack, while strong, lacks the iconic stamp of Gordon’s previous work.
Final Verdict: 8.5/10
Doom: The Dark Ages is not just a side-step; it’s a daring reinvention. With its grounded combat, gritty setting, and mythic storytelling, it offers something bold and fresh without losing the franchise’s pulse-pounding DNA. It’s a game for players who want their violence meaningful, their worlds vast, and their Slayer unstoppable.
This isn’t a sprint—it’s a siege. And it’s glorious.
Official Trailer Launch – Doom: The Dark Ages
Closing Thoughts
If you’ve been wondering whether Doom: The Dark Ages lives up to the franchise legacy, the answer is a fiery yes. It might not please everyone—especially those craving pure speed—but it dares to evolve. In doing so, it not only survives the shift in tone and era but thrives in it.
Ready to crush skulls with a flail and rain fire from a dragon? Then welcome to Doom: The Dark Ages—Hell has never felt so medieval.
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