Doom The Dark Ages: A Brutal Return to Medieval Mayhem
Doom: The Dark Ages throws the Slayer into a world of castles, catacombs, and chaos—and it works. This prequel to 2016’s Doom reboot doesn’t just repaint the series with medieval aesthetics. It reshapes the battlefield with brutal new tools, fresh mechanics, and a bold tone that’s somehow even more savage.
Where previous entries were all high-tech hellscapes, this time you’re battling demons in a realm that feels like Dark Souls on speed. Massive gothic fortresses, eldritch horrors, and knights-turned-nightmares form the backdrop. But don’t worry—this is still Doom. It’s fast, ferocious, and unapologetically violent.
Combat: Steel, Fire and Fury
The signature loop of shoot, punch, and glory kill returns—refined and deadlier than ever. The difference? The Dark Ages trades plasma for plate armor and throws in some vicious new toys. The Slayer now wields:
The Flail of Agony – A spiked chain weapon with area-of-effect destruction. Think medieval crowd control with a side of gore.
The Shield Saw – A throwable shield that doubles as a spinning buzzsaw. It’s absurd. It’s awesome.
Mounted Dragon – Not joking. There are dragon-riding sequences that somehow don’t break the game’s rhythm. They elevate it.
The new bestiary is grotesque and smart, forcing players to adapt—no more cruising through on muscle memory alone. Fights demand situational awareness and quick thinking.
Design and Atmosphere
The Dark Ages might be the best-looking Doom yet. The art direction ditches sci-fi corridors for baroque architecture, haunted woods, and bloodstained altars. Every environment drips with detail. It’s gothic, but never sluggish. The level design loops back on itself in smart ways, and secret hunts are back in force.
And then there’s the soundtrack. Composer Mick Gordon may be gone, but the new score slaps. Chugging guitars meet chanting choirs and eerie folk instruments—it’s Doom meets Diablo II in the best way possible.
Weak Points
Story Beats: The lore dives deeper into the Slayer’s origin, which some fans may love. Others might feel it over-explains the mystery.
Difficulty Spikes: A few boss fights feel tuned more for frustration than fun.
Pacing Dips: There are brief stealth and puzzle sequences that feel like filler between the carnage.
They’re minor issues, but worth noting.
Verdict
Doom: The Dark Ages is a bold swing—and it lands. By taking the franchise somewhere new (and old), id Software proves Doom can be more than just metal and Mars. It can be mythic.
This isn’t just a great Doom game. It’s one of the best action games of 2025 so far.
Final Score: 9.1/10 - Exceptional; a mythic and bold swing
