Doom: The Dark Ages Reviews
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.
But what stands out most, especially in times where games built on grind start feeling like a chore, is how fun and fluid the Doom: The Dark Ages is. Wasn't that that the whole point?
It delivers polished, meaty, and violent action with excellent visuals, but it won’t matter if it’s cheapened by difficulty sliders. Move over, DOOM 3, DOOM: The Dark Ages is now the most disappointing entry in the franchise
DOOM: The Dark Ages is another absolutely stellar offering from id Software. It may bring far more narrative aspects to the table, whilst also slowing the flow down with larger levels, but in action it's the same old pulse-pounding core combat; highly strategic, hugely challenging (at higher difficulties) and as clever, colourful and cool a shooter as you'll likely play this year. DOOM asked you sweat your bullet count. Eternal made movement more meaningful. For this latest lesson, the Slayer brings defensive options, more space and time, and the perspective of a god-killer as he drops into battle. A slightly different death-dance, then, but still a gloriously great one.
Doom: The Dark Ages is an excellent shooter, absolutely no doubt about it. This might not be the revolutionary new-kid-on-the-block title that some of its predecessors over the years have been, but it does everything anyone could want from a shooter exceptionally well. The exploration sections that punctuate the action might not always hit the mark, but it isn't long before there are more things to kill and more ways to kill them. It also helps that visually and aesthetically things look wonderful. The grittiness of the combat is matched by the unique medieval-style setting of the story. For fans revisiting the series it will be a familiar treat, and for those jumping in for the first time, the prequel story presents an awesome platform from which to dive into this world.
Doom: The Dark Ages successfully reinvents the series' formula without losing its identity. Grounded, methodical, and brutally satisfying. A must-play for FPS veterans.
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.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Doom: The Dark Ages is a ferocious ride that could easily be titled as the king of the genre.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the series, if you crave high-octane action, heavy metal carnage, and just the right touch of fantasy madness, The Dark Ages demands your attention. DOOM has once again reinvented itself—and somehow, it still rips and tears.
DOOM: The Dark Ages delivers a visceral, medieval twist to the legendary franchise, with intense combat, a captivating narrative, and expansive maps that echo the classic DOOM experience. The innovative shield saw mechanic adds strategic depth, and the soundtrack fuels the brutal atmosphere. However, a slower, less dynamic combat system compared to Doom Eternal, repetitive weapons, and forgettable level designs hold it back. It's a thrilling and challenging enough experience that might leave dedicated fans wanting more. A solid, if not revolutionary, chapter in the Doom saga.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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.
Put simply, there's nothing else quite like DOOM: The Dark Ages out there. It's both epic and essential.
DOOM: The Dark Ages is fun, chaotic and enjoyable. the Addition of Shield saw has added a new layer of depth to combat and exploration is rather fun. That being said some issues like low demon variety is noticable. Nevertheless, it's a game that everyone should play at least once.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Keeps all the series' strong points of slick and smooth graphics and frenetic, violent gameplay with a different twist that is more grounded. A trilogy where every entry presents a variation on the main theme is a good one.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Doom: The Dark Ages does many things differently from its predecessors, but it does them well. A rich story, a great sense of power, and still memorable, brutal gameplay make it not only a great addition to the legendary action franchise, but also one of the best games of the year.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Captain America in a world of demons? DOOM: The Dark Ages does not revolutionize the series, but it offers extremely enjoyable gameplay. Satisfaction flows in liters, as does the blood of defeated enemies. There is spectacle.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Doom: The Dark Ages is a welcome attempt to reinvent the most iconic shooter franchise of all time rather than sticking with what had previously worked. Some of the changes work, and some don't, but for the most part, the gameplay is extremely fun, even if it didn't hit the highs of Eternal. An extremely weak plot, some feeble side mechanics, and a somewhat underwhelming soundtrack drag down things a tad, but if you enjoyed Eternal and 2016, then The Dark Ages still has a lot of fun in store for you. Just be prepared to parry like you're playing Metal Gear Rising.
Overall, it’s fair to say that id Software has once again succeeded in creating a game worthy of carrying the legendary DOOM name. The Dark Ages takes some risks and introduces new features, but in the end, most of these decisions and changes pay off in the final experience. The Dark Ages is an unforgettable, adrenaline-fueled festival of demon-slaying, and if you're a fan of the DOOM series—or first-person action games in general—you absolutely shouldn’t miss out on the thrill of playing it.
Review in Persian | Read full review
DOOM: The Dark Ages is the most badass DOOM has ever been, featuring a killer soundtrack, first-person melee combat better than it has any right to be, and the most intriguing version of The Doom Slayer we’ve ever seen.