I slipped into DOOM: The Dark Ages expecting a blood-soaked medieval prologue. I log clichés and deceptions with a wry grin. This prequel delivers polished id Software carnage but trips over modern expectations. Here’s my deep dive.
Overall Impressions
I admired the cinematic sweep. The story ties neatly to DOOM (2016) and Eternal. Yet it feels more cautious than its predecessors. Movement still hums with classic DOOM pace. It skips Eternal’s aerial acrobatics though. Combat stays visceral, but the adrenaline peaks come less often. For a medieval spin, the game nails gothic architecture and demon theatrics. Yet I missed the unpredictable momentum of Eternal. At full price, its 13–16-hour campaign feels slim. I’d echo player calls to wait for a sale.
Gameplay Mechanics
The shield parry merges seamlessly with the game’s brutal gunplay, evoking the satisfying carnage of Space Marine 2—but even bloodier—and the return of a diverse arsenal reinforces the “use what you like” ethos without any strict rock-paper-scissors limitations. Fast strafing and swift kills capture the essence of classic DOOM DNA, keeping the combat frantic and exhilarating. However, the parry mechanic feels deliberately overused, leaving me craving more subtlety in my defensive options. Mid-game combat heights out early, causing encounters to grow repetitive in the absence of Eternal’s intricate arena puzzles, and a hidden tutorial window in one level—though minor—proved unexpectedly jarring.
Standout Moment
A massive siege on a cathedral crest stands out. Charging demon hordes beneath stained glass felt epic. The parry shield shone here, eating heavy hits and launching counter-blasts.
Story and Characters
The Dark Ages teases the Slayer’s legend roots. I appreciated glimpses of medieval cults and arcane rites. The narrative unfolds in bold set pieces. Still, character depth remains scarce. You meet no allies worthy of a name. Most cutscenes revolve around demon lore exposition. It reads like a script bridge rather than a fleshed-out chapter. I wanted more human stakes before the gore.
Visuals and Graphics
This entry rides id Tech’s latest engine. Textures pop on moss and blood. Castle ruins glow with torchlight and occult glyphs. Demon designs blend medieval myth with Lovecraft flair. I spotted subtle environmental storytelling—crucifixes cracked by demonic claws. Level transitions feel seamless. One caveat: some rock faces reused impressively, but noticeably. Still, it’s a feast for fans of dark fantasy meets sci-fi annihilation.
Sound and Music
Here’s the weak link. Players likened the soundtrack to YouTube background loops, and I concur. Composer Robert Prince’s return whispers potential but never thunders. Anticipation builds in mid-level, then dissipates when the drop never arrives. Sound effects shine though. Every chainsaw rev and shotgun blast hits with bone-shaking force. Voice lines match the Slayer’s stoic persona, though the speed modifier hilariously warps them.
Difficulty and Replayability
Dozens of sliders let you sculpt your own “Nightmare.” That flexibility impresses, but I missed finely tuned preset tiers. Nightmare difficulty felt more like “Hard + 10%.” Without preset spikes, tension wavers. Replay modes? Absent. No Master Levels, horde challenges, or arcade arenas. Also, no multiplayer. No mod tools yet. Granted, id teased future free modes. Until then, after one campaign run I lacked pull to return—unless I craved a custom difficulty grind.
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
Behind the scenes, the latest DOOM installment saw id Software reuniting under new leadership—with Marty Stratton notably absent—an editorial shake-up that’s sparked lively debate across the community. Fans were similarly vocal about Mick Gordon’s omission from the soundtrack, lamenting the departure of his signature bombast. Early development logs teased robust mod support, only for that promise to quietly vanish from the official launch notes. Meanwhile, speedrunners have wasted no time exploiting a secret teleport glitch in level three—so consider this your memo to future power-gamers: efficiency exploits arrive early and often.
Final Verdict
DOOM: The Dark Ages brims with polished combat and striking visuals. It fails to reinvent Eternal’s breakneck pace or deliver enough post-campaign hooks. The soundtrack underwhelms, and the price tags pinch deep. It shines as a compact, gorgeously gory chapter, but not as a full price bullet train.
Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars
I track every trope, but even I can’t rewind time to make this feel like an $80 romp. Wait for half-off.
