It may be the grandfather of the FPS genre, but Doom has been kicking arse in recent years. From the 2016 reboot to Eternal, the master of the boomstick, Doom Slayer, has proven he’s more than ready to fight in today’s gaming landscape. Each entry refines the core gameplay to near perfection. Doom: The Dark Ages is the latest in the demon-slaying power fantasy series.
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The latest entry once again takes the essence of Doom and tweaks it just enough to deliver a familiar experience with a fresh flavour.
Lored
Story-wise, it’s a prequel, set years before the events of Doom (2016), focusing on the Slayer’s role in the war against Hell. In the past, I’d have said: if you’re playing Doom for the story, you’re doing it wrong.
But The Dark Ages shifts the focus more towards narrative, building on the groundwork laid by the last two games. It’s still Doom. You’ll be blasting, ripping, and tearing to your heart’s content, but the story is now front and centre.
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Instead of reading text logs, you’ll watch lengthy cutscenes and witness in-game conversations between characters.
It adds depth to the lore and presentation, but it feels like the next chapter rather than a fresh start. If you haven’t followed the series or simply don’t care, there’s little here to change your mind.
Re-Doomed
That said, it’s still Doom. Once the talking ends, the bloodshed begins, and like the story, the gameplay has evolved.
Combat shifts from fast-paced duck-and-shoot to a more grounded, weighty style. Personally, I welcome this. Jumping around and tearing enemies apart was fun, but now you can bring the pain without planning three jumps ahead.
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This change is most evident with the Shield Saw. Think Captain America’s shield wrapped in a chainsaw. It works both defensively, letting you block and parry, and offensively, launching you into battle with a brutal bash.
There’s a stronger melee vibe too, thanks to the Electric Gauntlet and Iron Flail. Both are devastating and add new layers to combat. You’ll also wield the usual arsenal of Doom weapons, all of which feel and fire brilliantly.
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Old favourites like the Combat Shotgun return, joined by new toys like the Skull Crusher. It does exactly what it says, grinding skulls into a hail of SMG-like fire. Each weapon has its moment and never feels redundant.
The Slayer also gets new, sometimes massive, gear. In set-piece moments, you pilot a mech, a giant version of yourself, with serious Godzilla vibes. You also gain a winged companion: a laser-firing, steel-winged dragon that takes the carnage skyward. It’s a bold addition for the series.
Downtime
Both the mech and dragon sections feel like mini-games, breaking up the constant combat. Surprisingly, they work well and never overstay their welcome.
Enemies are a mix of new and old, with classic foes given a medieval makeover. Each has a rock-paper-scissors mechanic to crack. Parry with your shield, stun them, or deflect rockets back at them.
This is modern Doom in a nutshell: you’re outnumbered, but armed with the tools and skills to survive a brutal, bloody dance of death. You adapt from one kill to the next until nothing remains.
One standout feature is the sheer size of the levels. Exploration is encouraged, with secrets, upgrades, and collectables hidden off the beaten path. The pace slows during these moments, offering a break from constant combat.
Visually, the game is stunning in the most savage way, maintaining the series’ high standards. The audio is equally impressive, with a thunderous metal soundtrack that gets your blood pumping before each fight.
Doom: The Dark Ages is how sequels should be done. It builds on a phenomenal foundation, daring to change just enough to create something familiar yet bold.
It experiments with the formula but never loses what makes Doom great – relentless, adrenaline-fuelled combat that hits hard every single time.
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