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May 11, 2025 — id Software’s Doom: The Dark Ages, released on May 15, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, is a bold prequel to the critically acclaimed Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal (2020). Trading the high-octane acrobatics of its predecessors for a heavier, more grounded combat style, this techno-medieval first-person shooter reimagines the Doom Slayer’s origins in a dark fantasy war against Hell. While not without flaws, it delivers a visceral, satisfying experience that proves the franchise’s enduring ability to reinvent itself.
A New Flavor of Doom
Set in the techno-medieval realm of Argent D’Nur, The Dark Ages casts the Doom Slayer as a mythic warrior, wielding both futuristic and archaic weapons in a world of crumbling castles and demonic ruins. Unlike Doom Eternal’s “fighter jet” agility, this game makes you feel like an “iron tank,” emphasizing deliberate, weighty combat over speed and evasion. The shift is jarring at first—gone are double jumps and air-dashes—but it grows rewarding as you master its rhythm.
The standout addition is the Shield Saw, a versatile tool that blocks projectiles, parries attacks, and can be thrown to shred enemies or solve environmental puzzles. This mechanic anchors the combat, encouraging players to stand their ground rather than dance around enemies. Parrying glowing green projectiles feels like a demonic tennis match, with well-timed counters stunning foes for brutal “glory kills.” The shield’s offensive potential, like charging into crowds for shockwave damage, makes it as much a weapon as a defense.
The arsenal blends medieval flair with Doom’s signature excess. Favorites like the Super Shotgun and plasma rifle return, joined by newcomers like the Chainshot, which fires a wrecking ball on a chain, and the Pulverizer, a gun that grinds bones into a spray of bullets. While some weapons, like the Shredder, feel underwhelming, the variety keeps encounters dynamic.
A Techno-Medieval Nightmare
The game’s 22 levels, spanning 12-20 hours, are id’s largest yet, with open-ended “sandbox-like” areas packed with secrets, collectibles, and optional combat encounters. The medieval aesthetic—burning fortresses, blood-soaked villages, and gothic demons—creates a moodier tone than Doom Eternal’s neon hellscapes. Powered by the id Tech 8 engine, the visuals are stunning, with ray-tracing and HDR enhancing gore-drenched battlefields and cosmic realms inspired by Lovecraftian horror. Performance is flawless, with no framerate drops even in chaotic fights.
Enemies, from knight-like Hell Knights to the Cosmic Realm’s redesigned Cacodemon, match the setting’s dark fantasy vibe. The game boasts the franchise’s largest enemy variety, with hordes flooding open battlefields for a sense of all-out war. However, the lack of enemy-specific weak spots, a staple of prior games, simplifies combat, and some “Leader” bosses feel like beefed-up regular foes, lacking the creativity of Eternal’s marquee fights.
Hits and Misses
The Dark Ages experiments boldly, but not every swing lands. The Atlan mech and cybernetic dragon segments, while visually spectacular, feel like gimmicky diversions, reminiscent of dated vehicle sections from 2000s shooters. The narrative, aiming to flesh out the Slayer’s origins and the Sentinel-Maykr conflict, is the series’ most ambitious yet but falters with overly long cutscenes and forgettable characters. For a franchise where story traditionally takes a backseat to slaughter, the focus on lore feels bloated, though skippable for action purists.
The open levels, while ambitious, can be exhausting to traverse, with exploration sometimes feeling like a chore to collect gold or codex pages. Compared to Doom Eternal’s electrifying combat dance, The Dark Ages lacks the same replayability, as its streamlined mechanics and slower pace don’t demand the same mastery.
Critical Reception
Reviews are generally positive, with Metacritic aggregating “favorable” scores. TrueAchievements gave it 100/100, calling it “the most bloodthirsty and satisfying Doom to date,” while Shacknews (90/100) praised its accessibility. However, PC Gamer and Rock Paper Shotgun noted lower peaks compared to Doom (2016), citing repetitive exploration and a safer approach. Rolling Stone was harsher, calling it a monotonous step back with dated mechanics. On X, fans highlight the “stand and fight” ethos and medieval vibe but debate the reduced mobility.
Verdict: A Worthy Reinvention
Doom: The Dark Ages is a thrilling, if imperfect, evolution of the franchise. Its weighty combat, anchored by the Shield Saw, and stunning medieval world make it a standout FPS, earning praise as 2025’s best shooter from outlets like Newsweek. While it doesn’t surpass Doom (2016)’s balance or Eternal’s adrenaline rush, its accessibility and fresh take make it a great entry point for newcomers and a bloody good time for veterans. id Software’s willingness to rewrite Doom’s rules keeps the Slayer’s legend alive.
Rating: 8.5/10
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