Doom: The Dark Ages is a bloody, medieval remix that mostly hits its mark

Over the decades, the Doom franchise has evolved dramatically, but its core pillars remain simple: tons of demons to kill, levels with secrets, a badass shotgun, and at some point, a trip to Hell. Doom: The Dark Ages, Id Software’s latest entry, checks all those boxes—while adding medieval weaponry, giant mechs, and even dragon-riding to the mix. And for the most part, it works.

What is Doom: The Dark Ages?

Set before Doom (2016) and Eternal, this prequel dives deeper into Doomguy’s lore, wars between demons and angels, and ancient conflicts. But while Id wants to tell a bigger, more complex story, the narrative is the weakest part of the package. Lengthy cutscenes and macguffin hunts drag down the pacing, even if there are fun character moments (like Doomguy refusing to pay a toll and simply shooting the collector instead).

Thankfully, the gameplay more than makes up for it.

Bigger battles, better toys

Combat unfolds across sprawling arenas and battlefields, with waves of demons swarming as you unleash an arsenal of medieval-inspired weapons. Highlights include a nail cannon, a chained cannonball launcher, and a skull-shredding machine gun. Classic favorites return too—the plasma rifle, the BFG (now a massive crossbow), and of course, two shotguns. The Super Shotgun in particular might be the deadliest incarnation yet.

The standout addition is Doomguy’s shield: not just a defensive tool, but a weapon you can hurl like a bladed Captain America discus, parry attacks with, and combo into brutal melee counterattacks. The flow of blocking, tossing, punching, and blasting creates a bloody rhythm that feels fresh but quintessentially Doom.

Dragons, mechs, and upgrades

Dark Ages isn’t open-world, but its levels are larger and packed with secrets. Exploration is rewarded with upgrades to weapons, health, and armor. The upgrade trees are streamlined compared to Eternal, though some may still feel they overcomplicate Doom’s simple formula.

To break up the shooting, Id sprinkles in short sequences where Doomguy rides a cyber-dragon or pilots a skyscraper-sized mech. Surprisingly, these segments are intuitive, punchy, and fun without overstaying their welcome. Uppercutting a giant demon in a mech is as gloriously dumb and satisfying as it sounds.

A finale that goes too far

If Dark Ages stumbles, it’s at the finish line. After a near-perfect climactic boss battle, Id tacks on another huge level and two more bosses, dragging out the ending and deflating the momentum. It’s not bad content, but it feels like the story should have stopped one finale earlier.

Verdict

Despite narrative bloat and a finale that overstays its welcome, Doom: The Dark Ages is a brilliant, brutal evolution of the series. With exhilarating combat, inventive weapons, and just the right amount of absurdity, it proves that even dragons and mechs can feel at home in Doom.

Back-of-the-box quote:
“Go medieval on a million demon asses.”

💡 Player Tip
Don’t underestimate the shield—it’s more than defense. Master parries and shield tosses early, and you’ll turn every arena fight into a fast, ammo-rich slaughterhouse.