DOOM: The Dark Ages Reviews
DOOM: The Dark Ages is a solid prequel with expanded lore, inventive gameplay additions such as using mechs and dragons. It features great level design & good soundtrack, though it lacks Eternal's intensity and polish.
If you play DOOM: The Dark Ages, you get exactly what you would expect from a modern DOOM. There are powerful weapons, fast-paced combat against hordes of demons, a driving soundtrack with heavy guitars and plenty of blood. In Dark Ages, most of this does not take place in a sci-fi scenario, but in the middle of medieval-looking environments, which really suits the DOOM concept. The numerous enemy types, the sometimes bizarre weapons and our gigantic mech suit are also very appealing, as are the atmospheric, extremely dark levels. However, there is one thing you shouldn't expect from the new DOOM, and that is great innovation, because the series simply does what it does best - a modern interpretation of the classic first-person shooter. Graphically, The Dark Ages is certainly in the top league and scores with detailed worlds with a great atmosphere. All in all, DOOM: The Dark Ages is a successful, entertaining and sometimes really challenging series spin-off that delivers what it promises.
Review in German | Read full review
Since the combat is less kinetic compared to the past two games, it moves a bit slow, but in the best way possible. The movement feels slower than the previous two games and more in line with the original DOOM. The style and music are classic DOOM, which provides a major boost of energy to the mix. Some longtime fans might have issues with the changes to the formula, but the respect towards this franchise is still there. Even if gamers haven’t played a DOOM game, The Dark Ages is the perfect start.
DOOM: The Dark Ages is recommended for continuing to bet on a forceful combat. The incorporation of the shield-saw and the parry system suits it wonderfully, being very well implemented. In addition, the narrative is balanced with good cinematics, especially with a memorable start of the game. All this with a unique visuals and an ideal optimization on PC.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
DOOM: The Dark Ages is perhaps the best way to close the new "trilogy" that revived the classic title, and leaves a nod to even more to come.
Review in Greek | Read full review
By slightly modifying the core gameplay while preserving the gunplay and fast-paced action, id Software ensures that each new release in the Doom series remains a blood-soaked must-play, even with Doom: The Dark Ages having mixed results with the additions of the titan and dragon.
It hasn’t even been six months yet and we’ve already seen so many amazing games this year and I think Doom: The Dark Ages stands alongside them easily. The gameplay is extremely fun without being too hectic, with more open areas as Atlan and dragon sections break up the linear gameplay enough to keep it interesting. The visuals are stunning and the soundtrack with the excellent sound design keeps you pumped and wanting more. I can’t say for sure that Doom: The Dark Ages is worthy of 2025’s Game of The Year, but I definitely think it’s in the conversation and it’s a worthy addition to the franchise that pioneered the FPS genre.
Doom: The Dark Ages may strip away the mobility focus of Doom Eternal, but replaces it with a very weighty and powerful style of play that is different from anything the series has done before, and still immensely satisfying in its own way.
Doom: The Dark Ages is an eye-popping first-person shooter with nonstop action and some very welcome additions to the Slayer's arsenal.
Doom: The Dark Ages is indulgent and deliciously violent, but surprisingly safe.
Here's a more grounded Doom, but one that's as brisk and playful as ever.
Doom: The Dark Ages is the weakest entry in a fantastic trilogy of games, and despite how I feel about its additions to combat and exploration, I’d rather an experience that took risks and sought to reinvent what it means to play a Doom game rather than build upon the familiar.
"Glory Kills have been tossed out, which doesn't help with Doomguy's apparent loss of moxie – now he can't even be bothered to beat a demon to death with its own leg anymore!"
Doom: The Dark Ages reinvents and reigns in with equal measure, taking the series in a bold new direction without straying from its captivating roots.
Id Software's prequel is a big, heavy metal adventure with a few too many cutscenes
Doom The Dark Ages will get your blood pressure up. It will test your reflexes, your problem-solving skills, your aim, and your ability to solve problems on the fly. It’ll probably test your patience a little, too, when the chugging, uninspired, padded-out sections in the middle start to wear a bit thin.
Doom: The Dark Ages is AAA gaming at its best, with huge set pieces and memorable moments around every corner of the beautiful environments that only add to the highly-polished and heavily-addicting gameplay.
Doom: The Dark Ages is another stellar entry in the classic franchise, thanks to its engaging, grounded combat, expansive and varied locales, phenomenal graphics and hours of gameplay. Though it's not revolutionary, it delivers a fast-paced and visceral experience few games can match.
The level designs are overly drab, and the vehicle sections wear out their welcome, but the actual battles against hordes of demons are as fun as ever, and you’re given tons of awesome tools and toys to unleash on them.