DOOM: The Dark Ages Review

DOOM: The Dark Ages delivers brutal medieval mayhem with dragons, mechs, and a revamped Slayer—stand and fight like never before.

As someone who’s been ripping and tearing since the original DOOM on MS-DOS, I’ve seen the franchise evolve from pixelated corridors to the adrenaline-soaked action of DOOM Eternal. DOOM: The Dark Ages is a different beast in many interesting ways. The latest installment in the franchise doesn’t just pull you into the past—it offers a brutal, medieval fever dream where the Slayer trades his jetpack agility for pure ironclad fury. It’s a bold, bloody reinvention that feels like a love letter to the franchise’s roots while forging a new identity in steel. 

"It’s a bold, bloody reinvention that feels like a love letter to the franchise’s roots while forging a new identity in steel."

If you’ve ever wondered what it’d be like to fight off Hell’s minions with a shield-saw and a dragon, buckle up—this is the DOOM you didn’t know you needed. Join me for a hellish homecoming as I delve into everything The Dark Ages has to offer.

DOOM: The Dark Ages Details

Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC

Reviewed on: PlayStation 5 Pro

Developer: id Software

Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

Genre: First-Person Shooter (FPS), Action

Available Game Modes: Single-player Campaign

ESRB Rating: M for Mature (17+)

The Slayer’s Origin Story: “Forged in Fire and Steel”

Set long before the events of DOOM (2016), The Dark Ages serves as a prequel that delves into the origins of the Doom Slayer. Here, he’s not the acrobatic juggernaut from Eternal but a more grounded, relentless force—a literal “iron tank.” The narrative leans heavily into dark fantasy, with a world teetering on the brink of annihilation by demonic hordes. Cutscenes are more prevalent, offering deeper character development and a deeper offering of the lore that ties back to the ancient Sentinels and the Slayer’s cursed destiny. We get a much deeper look into how humans came to be locked in a long battle with hell’s minions. The 20+ hour campaign adds more companions and allies than ever, so you feel a greater sense of scale and part of a bigger army.

"The 20+ hour campaign adds more companions and allies than ever, so you feel a greater sense of scale and part of a bigger army."

What really resonated with me is how the game weaves in nods to the classic DOOM titles—keycard hunts, codexes packed with lore and secret areas—while expanding the universe with new realms. Prime examples are ruined castles, more futuristic sci-fi areas and ancient hellscapes. It’s a narrative cocktail of nostalgia and novelty that kept me invested from start to finish while adding plenty of new elements to the series.

Gameplay: Charge-In and Conquer

The Dark Ages is a more grounded gameplay experience, as you are a hulking tank of destruction. Gone are the days of double jumps, air dashes and multiple weapon quick swaps. The Dark Ages shifts the gameplay paradigm to a “stand and fight” approach. You must keep moving and carefully parrying, but combat is more deliberate. There is more emphasis on timing, positioning, and raw power. The battlefield is also much larger with a greater enemy count, so there is a lot of crowd control. Before major fight sequences, the camera pans out, and you get a look at the throngs of enemies that await. With larger clusters of baddies, it feels like you are locked in a much larger war. This “open zone” approach is the largest the franchise has seen yet, offering a stage for more carnage than ever before.

Large-Scale Mecha and Dragon Battles

One of the most striking additions in DOOM: The Dark Ages is the inclusion of large-scale vehicular segments—specifically, the mech battles and dragon-riding sequences. These moments are undeniably impressive, offering a grand sense of scale and spectacle, seamlessly transitioning into cinematic cutscenes. Piloting the towering Atlan mech to pummel colossal demons or soaring through the skies on a fire-breathing, cybernetic dragon adds a fresh layer of variety to the gameplay. 

"Piloting the towering Atlan mech to pummel colossal demons or soaring through the skies on a fire-breathing, cybernetic dragon adds a fresh layer of variety to the gameplay."

However, despite their visual grandeur, these sections tend to follow a predictable pattern: dodge incoming attacks, block when necessary, and retaliate with your own offensive moves. While they provide a thrilling diversion from the core combat, the repetitive mechanics can make these sequences feel somewhat formulaic over time. Nonetheless, they contribute to the game's epic atmosphere and serve as memorable set pieces in the Slayer's relentless crusade against the forces of Hell.

Tools of trade in DOOM: The Dark Ages

The arsenal is both familiar and fresh in The Dark Ages. Classic weapons like the Super Shotgun return with enhanced features, while newcomers like the Skull Crusher and electrified gauntlet offer brutal new ways to mow down Hell’s minions. Each weapon has a primary and secondary, which offers more options with different projectiles and rates of fire. These are also upgradable, offering plenty of variety throughout my playthrough. The new Shield Saw is a game-changer—a multifunctional tool that lets you block, parry, and slice through demons with satisfying heft. 

"The new Shield Saw is a game-changer—a multifunctional tool that lets you block, parry, and slice through demons with satisfying heft."

Parrying with the shield adds a rhythmic layer to battles, rewarding precision with devastating counterattacks. Thankfully, the “parry window” default is quite generous, and if you want even more reaction time, this can be adjusted even further. Even though you are a heavier, hulking Slayer, the gameplay hits a satisfying rhythm as you unlock more upgrades and weapons.

Looking back on my experience, every level offered a new weapon or ability, keeping things extremely fresh. And then there are the aforementioned vehicular segments—piloting the Atlan mech to pummel titanic demons or soaring on a cybernetic dragon to obliterate airborne threats was fun, although a little paint-by-numbers. All of this, combined, while not perfect, adds new, incredibly satisfying fresh ingredients to the Doom formula.

DOOM: The Dark Ages Graphics and Performance

Visually, The Dark Ages looks incredibly sharp, from performance to art direction, it’s dark, foreboding, and I loved it. The idTech 8 engine renders the medieval landscapes with stunning detail—from the moss-covered ruins to the fiery depths of Hell. Lighting effects are particularly noteworthy, casting eerie glows that enhance the game’s dark fantasy atmosphere. There are also plenty of great flourishes like glowing plasma that casts lighting and particle effects everywhere. Performance-wise, the game runs smoothly on the PS5 Pro, for the most part. It maintains a mostly consistent frame rate but does drop a little during chaotic battles. On the upside, load times are minimal, and I encountered no significant bugs or glitches during my playthrough.

Audio and Sound Design: A Symphony of Slaughter

The audio design in The Dark Ages is quite good, but it needs a little remixing when it comes to sound effects. Every weapon has a distinct, satisfying sound—whether the crunch of the Shield Saw cleaving through flesh or the thunderous boom of the Super Shotgun. Some weapons do have sudden jarring audio spikes that seem out of place, but it’s not a deal breaker. Ambient sounds, like the distant growls of demons or the creaking of ancient structures, immerse you further into the world. The soundtrack, composed by Finishing Move, blends heavy metal with orchestral elements, complementing the game’s tone. It’s the type of music that makes you want to headbang while decimating demon hordes.

Final Thoughts: A Worthy Addition to the DOOM Legacy

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a triumphant return to form that manages to innovate without losing sight of what makes DOOM great. The shift to a more grounded combat system breathes new life into the series, offering a fresh yet familiar experience. The expanded narrative, diverse gameplay mechanics, and top-notch presentation make it a must-play for fans and newcomers alike. In a year crowded with high-profile releases, The Dark Ages stands tall, shield in hand, ready to conquer.

DOOM: The Dark Ages PROS

+Grounded, tactical combat

+Innovative arsenal with dual-purpose weapons

+Expansive level design and exploration

DOOM: The Dark Ages CONS

-Occasional performance hiccups on the PS5 Pro

-Repetitive mech and dragon segments

-Sound design inconsistencies

Overall Assessment of DOOM: The Dark Ages

Gameplay: 9.5/10

Graphics: 9/10

Sound: 9/10

Lasting Appeal / Replayability: 8.5/10

Overall Rating: 36/40 = 90%

Bethesda provided a copy of the game to conduct this review.

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About the Author - Matthew "Dapper Tux" Rondina

Matthew has been involved in all things gaming since the 8-bit era. He is a video game and tech industry veteran who has been passionate about technology and gaming for over 20 years. In addition to being the Managing Editor of dappertux.com, he has bylines with Best Buy, Cineplex Entertainment, Mobile Syrup and Walmart. Follow Matthew’s gaming + tech adventures on multiple social platforms with the handle @dapper_tux via X, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and join in on the fun!

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