DOOM: The Dark Ages

Doom: The Dark Ages is a reminder that sometimes the best games simply care about being fun.

With satisfying combat, fun exploration, and some of the finest accessibility options out there, Doom: The Dark Ages is an epic heavy metal odyssey that proves the iconic franchise is still king of the genre.

The latest entry in the DOOM series effectively turns the Doom Slayer into a tank, mowing down literal hordes of enemies with a varied range of chunky weapons. There's more of an emphasis on melee, too, and combined with a new focus on parrying enemy attacks with a nifty Shield Saw to get the upper hand, it feels entirely unique. Put simply, there's nothing else quite like DOOM: The Dark Ages out there. It's both epic and essential.

A hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won't cause massive damage. Doom: The Dark Ages is a brutally dark and gory game that sets up the rest of the franchise's story in a captivating and meaningful way. It improves on nearly every aspect of previous entries in the series, setting itself up as a strong 2025 GOTY contender.

An amazing new array of systems reinvents DOOM once again, delivering a bombastic and brutal new way to smash demons. With awesome new cosmic threats dying to meet the serrated edge of your shield, The Dark Ages may well be the best age for any aspiring Doom Slayer.

I've mentioned some minor problems and disappointments, but I mean what I said at the top. This is the most impressive Doom game iD has developed. The ingenuity and evolution of its gameplay, while remaining true to itself, is outstanding, along with an epic campaign to complement it. The Doom Dance in The Dark Ages is addictive, and I'm stoked to continue playing.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is the result of all the lessons id Software has learned from previous entries and wrapping the tweaked gameplay in a distinct and oddly compelling setting. It is simultaneously unmistakable as a DOOM game, but it also feels like a fresh approach to the series. I love everything about this game's combat loop, which feels much better integrated than the disjointed loops in the previous game, Eternal. Frankly, I am going to be sad when the next game in the franchise doesn't let me have my shield.

The attempt to turn Doom Slayer into more of a tank has resulted in action that's more focused on the main character. Successfully deflecting attacks gives an incredible feeling of inner satisfaction and balance. DOOM: The Dark Ages has its rhythm, which allows new players to gradually adjust to the increasing verticality and speed of gameplay found in DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal.

DOOM: The Dark Ages has managed to distance itself enough from Eternal to avoid being overwhelmed by its legacy and create its own that lives up to what the series needed: a third installment that feels like a DOOM, but not the "nth" DOOM. Almost like a fascinating mix between a first-person shooter and a hack and slash, id Software has created something unique... again.

Doom: The Dark Ages offers a powerful and unique shooting experience, blending close-range combat mechanics more commonly seen in action games into the FPS formula. If you're looking for the same blood-pumping intensity as Doom Eternal, this game delivers it in a more grounded and deliberate, yet still thrilling way.

Although Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal still stand strong visually and compete effortlessly with modern titles, Doom: The Dark Ages elevates the franchise to new heights with stunning visuals powered by the 8th generation of the id Tech engine. This bold new chapter embraces fresh ideas, delivering a thrilling adventure that not only reinvents the series but also stands out as one of the best games of the year, and arguably one of the finest shooters in recent memory.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is proof that id Software still knows how to refine the gems already present in its library. Make no mistake – this is DOOM. The rhythm may be different, and the world may feel familiar from afar, but the soul remains the same. The core formula is untouched. Demons still deserve nothing but hot lead!

It’s an absolute blast to play through, with impressive visuals, an appropriately metal soundtrack, and some really wild set-pieces that deserve to be seen. Absolutely pick this one up when you get a chance, you won’t be disappointed.

When Doom: The Dark Ages plays to its strengths, it is the ultimate in destruction. The mechanics of the Shield Saw work amazingly well, bringing something different to the series, and combined with the iconic Doom weaponry, provide for a smooth combat experience. And although the sections with the Atlan mech and the cybernetic dragon aren't as entertaining as the main combat phases, they are still enjoyable. The awesome soundtrack gets the heart pumping and sets the tone perfectly, whilst the visuals look stunning, with the cutscenes doing a wonderful job of continuing the story. A word of warning though, Doom: The Dark Ages does require a decent PC to run even on minimum. Indeed, if you were hoping to play on the go with a Steam Deck you will be disappointed. But if you have the system to play it, and enjoy shooters then Doom: The Dark Ages should definitely be on your must-play list.

Graphics, sound, gameplay – everything just clicks here. This is the new benchmark for single-player shooters.

While offering a much freer and more exaggerated power fantasy compared to DOOM Eternal, it also does a great job of setting itself apart from it.

With Doom: The Dark Ages, id Software returns to the origins of the Doom Slayer with a gameplay recipe that straddles the past and the future, which takes up some of the classic features of the franchise and reworks them in accordance with the characteristics of the new setting, trying to maximize the intensity of the battles and the depth of the gameplay. Most of the additions and revisions work very well, and form the basis of a gameplay core that is extremely satisfying and multifaceted. The passages that most clearly distance themselves from this beating heart are also the most dissonant, but the average quality of the experience still stands at very high levels. Yes, perhaps The Dark Ages is a less organic product than the previous Eternal, but we find it impossible to free it from the threshold of excellence.

With a more grounded combat approach, a powerful new shield-saw weapon, and the largest enemy hordes ever in the series, Doom: The Dark Ages delivers intense and satisfying action; despite underused segments with the mecha and dragon and some loss of detail in larger maps, its technical excellence and gripping gameplay make it a must-play for fans.

DOOM: The Dark Ages gives you a whiff of the brakes, but only to fool you. The combat is still deliciously intense and violent, even more visceral, than its antecessors thanks to its melee combos, paired with a satisfying gunplay. The best compliment I can give DOOM: The Dark Ages is that it's a fantastic DOOM, which, without escaping the formula of the last few games, shakes it up enough to offer a fresh and equally violent experience, inviting us to rip and tear demons apart with our bare hands.

Far from just being “More Doom,” Doom: The Dark Ages is a new flavor of the legendary shooter series that’s heavier and more grounded, but no less energetic and exhilarating. The new shield is an outstanding addition that adds a ton of both offensive and defensive options, and when combined with the extensive arsenal of traditional Doom guns, provides a ton of fun and exciting ways to dispatch the hundreds upon thousands of demons that stand in your way. Add on top of that another pumped-up heavy metal soundtrack backing the excellent weapon, level, and enemy design, and Id has once again proven that like a super shotgun blast from point blank range, they don’t miss.

Doom: The Dark Ages is an exciting evolution of the franchise, capable of impressing with its more structured narrative approach and gameplay innovations, without losing the brutal, metallic identity that has always distinguished the saga. The new multifunctional shield and the redesign of the fights give the combat considerable depth, while exploration is finally rewarded with huge areas overflowing with secrets. However, some of the more spectacular sections (such as those aboard the mecha) feel isolated and unimpressive, and the absence of a multiplayer mode - though perhaps justified - remains a missed opportunity to extend the longevity beyond the solid campaign.

The Doom Slayer returns once more to rip and tear the demons of Hell ever so viciously in a blast from the past during his time in the realm of Argent D’Nur along with the Sentinels utilizing brand new combat mechanics that will have you hunger for more each time. You will embark on a journey filled to the brim with various monsters to destroy, collectibles to discover and an extremely grappling cutscene oriented story.

DOOM: The Dark Ages swaps out space-age speed for steel-shod fury, and it works wonders. This isn’t just a prequel, but a ballad sung in blood and fire where every flail swing and shield parry feels like gospel. Sure, the dragon rides and giant Atlan mech missions are very weak, and you might need the horsepower of a car to run it at maximum settings on PC, but when most of the time you’re shredding armies of Hellspawn with a gun that grinds skulls for ammo, who cares? This is the Slayer in his knightly prime. Long live the king of ripping and tearing.

Doom the Dark Ages evolves everything we've seen so far in the new era of Doom and adds the shield, which easily becomes a player's favorite gameplay feature very quickly. Even with some graphical glitches and repetition here and there, the gameplay remains very fun and ID Tech's performance is a big highlight. A must-play game.

Doom: The Dark Ages is yet another hit from a series that can’t seem to miss. It keeps the core of intense, fast-paced shooter gameplay, actively enhancing it with new mechanics that alter the moment-to-moment action while keeping the pulse-pounding feeling the same. Like Doom 2016 and Eternal, I’m left craving another hit already, but I’ll happily wait another five years for it if this is the result, unlike CoD’s exhausting annual release cycle.

The Dark Ages is the best post-reboot game in the series. It may not distance itself from the predecessors (both are great), but none of them pulled me in so hard and for so long. What’s more, I just sat through the end credits and I immediately want to begin the slaughter again.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a worthy and particularly enjoyable continuation of the beloved brand's renewed series, thanks to fun and challenging battles that are filled with satisfying mechanics.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a rip-tearing fun ride that reigns in some of the excesses of DOOM Eternal, bringing the gameplay closer to DOOM (2016), while adding meat to the story in a long, meaty, campaign across over twenty stages. Put simply, if you liked DOOM and DOOM Eternal, you will like this, even if there are a few minor missteps.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a brutal, tactical throwback that reimagines the series’ roots with modern flair. It’s exhausting but unforgettable—especially in its explosive second half.

I liked Doom: The Dark Ages, which is a bit more innovative, may not be liked by old fans but has a game system that can attract new players, and also comes with official Turkish language support, and I even had more fun playing it than Doom Eternal. With its more meaningful cutscenes, great optimization, more fluid finishing moves and saw shield, Doom Slayer's adventure will please FPS lovers. Problems such as music management, sandbox sections that can become boring, dragon and mecha sections that lose their shine quickly are among the things that prevent me from praising the game more.

DOOM: The Dark Ages has the extraordinary ability to find that balance, impossible on paper, between the nostalgic appreciation of the past typical of boomer shooters and the need to innovate a gameplay that would otherwise risk being repetitive, or in any case unappealing for those who rarely or never approach this genre. It succeeds with ideas that are only apparently banal, such as the management of difficulty or the clever gameplay loop made of gunshots, parries and melee attacks, in a dance that immediately becomes satisfying and visceral to the point of creating a great addiction. And it is therefore a shame that id Software has tried to force the hand by also introducing variations on the theme that quickly become mere fillers that, unfortunately, dilute the action and flatten the experience, also showing its flank to some limitations in the level design. What remains is a game that will drive crazy those who have devoured the previous DOOMs and love spending quality time with first-person shooters. And that's saying something.

The XXL menu concocted by id Software is made for action lovers who always want more ketchup. Between two slices of laughter aboard a giant robot or on the back of a ferocious dragon, The Dark Ages takes advantage of its gigantic zones to let the warrior decide which smoky BBQ sauce he'll be eaten with. The more open worlds allow for extraordinary confrontations never before seen in a Doom, but like the mecha or dragon phases, everything is designed to provoke immediate thrills at the risk of lacking a bit of depth. In any case, Bethesda's production doesn't repeat the same formulas, however magical they may be: it relies on ancestral know-how to better venture into demonic astral planes.

Doom: The Dark Ages is the third game in the new generation Doom series and I can easily say that it does not disappoint after its predecessors. In fact, it is a pure-blooded Doom game, although not perfect, with its melee combat dynamics, new and strengthenable weapon options, a brand new upgrade system and perhaps most importantly, its magnificent atmosphere.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is an excellent addition to the series, expanding on the lore of DOOM while introducing some new and engaging combat. While it struggles at times with pacing, DOOM: The Dark Ages nonetheless offers an exciting new experience for players to rip and tear through.

As a fan of the series, I am very happy that Doom: The Dark Ages turned out to be a breath of fresh air for the series. It took me 18 hours to complete the game, but I will definitely be back to max out each of the 22 levels. The new combat features, like the shield-related mechanics, are good enough that I'd like to see them in some form in future installments of the series. The final score is brought down by minor glitches and a handful of not very well thought-out elements, like the boring dragon segments. For fans of unusual takes on fantasy or just old-school shooters, however, this is obviously a must have.

DOOM: The Dark Ages throws everything and the kitchen sink at the wall, and a lot of it sticks. However, just enough of it doesn’t stick to drag things as a whole down a few pegs. Gunplay and parrying feels great, as does weaving through the bullet hell-esque attacks, but suddenly dying for no perceivable reason does not. Still, it’s a game worth your time for those highs, even if you have to get through the lows to reach them.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a game that, while solid and captivating, doesn’t quite recapture the groundbreaking impact of its predecessor. It attempts to offer a fresh take on the series, but does so a bit too conservatively, lacking the sense of novelty that defined the bold direction of DOOM Eternal. While the deliberate pacing of combat and the intricacy of the environments have their own appeal, the absence of that dynamic drive leaves a slightly bitter aftertaste. For longtime fans, it’s still a journey worth taking — but it certainly doesn’t represent the saga’s highest point.

The simple addition of a "shield" has drastically changed the game. Combat has become formulaic, forcing players to constantly think on their feet and react specifically to green-marked enemy attacks. The game is certainly fun, but the instinct-driven, fully immersive combat that once defined the essence of DOOM has noticeably faded.

DOOM: The Dark Ages offers a solid prequel of the Slayer saga, while being bold and experimental. However, this experimentation strays away from DOOM 2016's formula, which may alienate FPS-purists even more than Eternal did.

The changes introduced in Doom: The Dark Ages are mostly positive. While not every new feature or system is equally compelling, ID Software’s ongoing efforts to evolve the series are worth recognizing.

Doom: The Dark Ages proves that there’s still space to reinvent the franchise, even after ten years since its reboot. Don’t be fooled by the allegedly slower gameplay: this symphony of destruction still plays in the same rhythm as Eternal and Doom (2016), but with lower notes.

The dark fantasy prequel to Doom is a bold, beautiful and occasionally bloated evolution of the series. In the process of daring to change core mechanics and replace old toys with new, it will disappoint many, and the story, which is mostly pretty darn good and full of cool moments, would surely benefit by removing some of the excess fat. The good news is that while Doom: The Dark Ages fumbles and falls every now and then, combat remains as riveting as it has always been, and when things finally click it will make you feel like a brutal god of war.

With its continued focus on fast-paced bloodshed and the addition of some modern touches that help give it more depth, Doom: The Dark Ages is a seriously fun splatterfest that both franchise devotees and modern FPS gamers will love.

In an industry plagued by sequels ( and with these sequels often little more than slight updates) id Software deserve praise for their ambition. They’ve switched things up again with Doom: The Dark Ages – and the result is mostly a resounding success. The cookie cutter dragon and mech levels aside, this is one of the best FPS campaigns you can play, filled with levels you will leap back into right after they finish, all supported by a dynamic and deep relationship between melee, shield and guns.

DOOM: The Dark Ages reinvents the classic FPS with a medieval twist that shifts the pace without losing the franchise’s brutal essence. While its gameplay demands some adjustment and the visuals aren't particularly impressive compared to previous entries, it runs smoothly on PC and its narrative piques curiosity. It’s a bold gamble that, without breaking the legacy, deliberately strays from the traditional formula.

Doom: The Dark Ages is a flawlessly playable shooter that impresses with its blend of old-school gunplay and mechanical depth. Lame story and vehicle sections aside, you probably won't find more intense shooting anywhere else this year.

Doom: The Dark Ages is a fantastic entry in the series with some truly stellar combat throughout. And while its story and worldbuilding lets it down a touch, it still manages to strike gold with that classic, gruesome Doom magic.

Doom: The Dark Ages is a notable new entry in the long-running FPS series with a flavor and gameplay ideas of its own, but it can feel oddly unfocused at times, plus not every change is for the better.

Doom: the Dark ages shakes up the franchise with bold visuals and a brutal arsenal, even if it falls short of the relentless pace set by its predecessors

Doom: The Dark Ages marks a new chapter for the series, excelling in its combat system and more open map design, though it falls short in other areas.

This prequel takes a blunt force trauma approach to problem-solving and demon-killing, with a slower pace but more spectacular weaponry.

Doom: The Dark Ages is indulgent and deliciously violent, but surprisingly safe.

DOOM The Dark Ages puts us in a rather delicate position. On the one hand, we absolutely loved playing as the Slayer in a disproportionate medieval universe, thanks to a gameplay both "old-school" and modern, more brutal and enjoyable than ever, and even more accessible. On the other hand, the studio's attempts to bring more depth to the franchise's lore and game mechanics fell seriously flat overall. That didn't however stop us from having a monstrous blast eviscerating armies of demons, with a graphical and technical slap that was still as masterful as ever.

Despite a repetitive soundtrack and some down-tempo phases, DOOM : The Dark Ages remains the best demon-slaughtering simulator on the market with a stupendous gallery of guns and a deep reinvention of the basic mechanics. The Doom Slayer's weighty movements, along with his shield and the Lovecraft-inspired sequences, give an unique tone to this fresh outing. Beware veterans : to get a real adrenaline rush, you need to play on « Ultraviolence » from the get-go, since the regular difficulty is quite error-friendly. Adjust seasoning to your preference.

Doom: The Dark Ages is a great game, a fantastic demon slaughter festival, but not exactly the best Doom, excluding visual aspects - at least in my personal opinion. There's too much plot, dialogue, side characters, cut-scenes, too much trying to make this campaign feel like Halo and Call of Duty. On the other hand, such an approach may appeal more to people who are unfamiliar with the beginnings of the series, not emotionally attached to the franchise since the 90s. I would cut out the plot, flying on the dragon, make firearms more effective instead of using parrying, and boost the sound effects. The rest is a great mix of dark fantasy with science fiction and a piece of good, strictly single-player gameplay, just like in the good old days!

Doom: The Dark Ages is a heavyweight shooter that, at its core, is lighter on its feet than its predecessor. However, id has at times gone too wide with its half-baked new features and open level design. Rip and tear, until it is done. But please, Slayer, get out of the damn robot.

It's surprising how much Doom: The Dark Ages manages to reign in some of the changes Doom Eternal made while also taking the series in a wholly new direction that redefines its rules of engagement. The emphasis is on melee combat that harmonizes beautifully with the tried-and-tested pace of Doom's action, making each new attack parried and counter-attack landed feel as satisfying as the first. It's a finely tuned adventure that delivers the power fantasy of ripping and tearing through thousands of demons without losing an underlying complexity that makes each encounter engaging to blast through. Although it can falter at times when straying too far from the fundamentals, Doom: The Dark Ages shows that there's still so much fertile ground that this series can explore, and that sometimes smart, measured changes can take the series in surprising new directions and yield some of its finest moments.

Featuring many new ways to slaughter hordes of demonic foes, including an incredibly potent new shield mechanic, The Dark Ages isn’t just the biggest Doom game yet—it's the most welcoming to newcomers.

So yes, all the hallmarks of what makes a good Doom game are fully on display in The Dark Ages: overpowered weapons, copious amounts of blood, chaotic combat, a blistering metal soundtrack. Hell. It’s all just been moved around a little bit, remixed to feel fresh. Like spring cleaning. The place may look different, but that doesn’t mean it’s not comfortable. After all, your chair is still your chair, and Doom is still Doom.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a fun and flashy shooter stuffed with engaging content - it's a thrill-ride from beginning to end. In the shadow of DOOM Eternal, though, the more varied set-pieces and methodical combat cause its flame to burn just a bit less bright than I was hoping for.

At its best, Doom: The Dark Ages is a fantastic first-person shooter with a brutal combat system that is convincing almost across the board. However, the dragon and mech missions as well as the uncreative open level structures make sure that the pacing doesn't always feel perfectly smooth.

Doom: The Dark Ages returns to the uncompromising action roots of the series without overloading it with unnecessary game systems, as was the case in its predecessor. It still feels like work at times, but the new melee combat system in particular makes up for the occasional hiccups.

Doom: The Dark Ages introduces some innovations that too often disrupt the rhythm of the action. The action itself, which is considerably more static, also falls short compared to the two previous installments. Doom: The Dark Ages is certainly worth playing — the levels are stunning and the combat is at times immensely satisfying — but I can’t shake the feeling that it had the potential to be more.

Doom The Dark Ages is a game of contrasts. It experiments with mechanics new to the license and a new historical context, but their integration is superficial or poorly thought-out. The shield overshadows everything else in combat, while the dragon and mecha are simply disappointing. Nor does the game give us the impression of being plunged into a dark age. This new opus isn't bad, however, since it contains all the basic elements we've come to appreciate in modern Doom games. Players looking for intense combat against a backdrop of consistently excellent heavy metal should still find something to enjoy.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a safe and simple downgrade of the Doom franchise. As Eternal makes you think about your every choice and move, feeling like a fighter jet, The Dark Ages wants you to feel like a tank, made of Styrofoam. While the parry mechanics are extremely important and play a big role in the game, the gunplay is easily overshadowed. Music is tame, repetitive and is not memorable in the slightest. Mick Gordon is surely missing. With the asking price of 80 euros, I would stay away as far as possible from this game or at least play it on Game Pass.

Doom: The Dark Ages delivers fantastic action and an excellent arsenal, but all attempts at story, a more open structure, and superficially modern filler feel more like a forced detour that actively prevents the game from becoming the pinnacle of the series.