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May 09, 2025
DOOM: The Dark Ages Review: The recent DOOM games have transformed the Doom Slayer into an ultimate beast.
He doesn't say much, but when he acts, demons fall. He isn't just a man—he is a storm of destruction.
There is nothing that can stop him. He is pure rage with a mission. That endless, unstoppable energy is what makes DOOM: The Dark Ages so powerful.
DOOM Eternal helped to make the Doom Slayer even faster and more agile than ever before.
He was able to zoom through the empty spaces in the air like nothing could hold him back. Then he could slam back down like a missile.
But DOOM: The Dark Ages takes a different road. This time, the Slayer remains grounded.
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He is somewhat static with his feet generally planted onto the floor.
That slower motion modified some focus. At this slower pace, the game highlights enemy attack patterns, and deadly projectiles.
And to balance that, the game hands players some powerful new tools in order to push back.
In DOOM: The Dark Ages, you can’t simply hop over every flying projectile—you’ve got to think fast and move smarter.
You'll need something to protect yourself. That’s where the shield comes into play.
The shield isn’t just another tool you’ll forget about. It’s a key part of the Doom Slayer’s gear.
No matter which weapon you pick, the shield stays in his left hand.
You’ll rely on it during almost every battle. But it’s also crucial for some of the puzzles and traversal challenges in the game.
The shield gets an upgrade with a chainblade. This lets you throw it right through weaker enemies.
As you upgrade it further, the shield can wipe out groups of smaller enemies in one throw.
This added power is incredibly useful. It makes the shield a perfect focus for upgrades.
But the shield's real strength lies in its parry system.
Mastering the parry will be essential. You’ll need it to survive battles with tougher enemies.
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Before you attack an enemy that is about to hit you (you’ll see this enemy flash a green color), you can parry.
Projectiles that you can deflect and throw back at the enemy will also glow green.
When you parry an enemy, it makes them off balance for a moment and gives you a chance to strike back.
Your ability to parry is not fixed. It can be improved and modded to fit any playstyle. This adds significant variability and flexibility to your character build.
You could improve damage with your parry, or mods that automatically heal your health shield while you parry.
The game stays true to its solid mechanics while exploring a fresh, exciting direction for the Doom Slayer.
But it wouldn’t keep players hooked without an impressive array of weapons and enemies to use them on.
The Doom Slayer’s arsenal is as wild as he is. You’ve got everything from super shotguns to rocket launchers and energy weapons.
Almost every weapon can be upgraded to work with the shield in some interesting ways.
You can add explosive effects when you throw the shield or power up your shots against enemies you've parried, which really adds a layer of depth to the gameplay.
Unlocking new upgrade tiers for your weapons makes you eager to dive back into the action and try them out.
It’s a classic formula that fans of the recent DOOM games will recognize, but it never really gets old.
However, some new mechanics don’t quite hit the mark, like the Atlan and Dragon levels.
The Atlan is this huge mech that the Doom Slayer can take control of, and it revolves around basic sequences of punching and dodging.
Punch a giant enemy enough times, and you can deliver a kill shot.
This gameplay loop doesn’t change much, and while it’s fun at first, it starts to feel slow.
The Dragon, on the other hand, lets you fly around certain levels to discover secrets.
It’s an improvement, but it still feels much slower compared to the regular gameplay.
They’re enjoyable additions, but they could’ve been removed without hurting the overall experience.
One thing that really stands out is the new “medieval” vibe. It’s a cool mix of DOOM’s usual demonic sci-fi with old castles and ancient towns.
Running through crumbling stone corridors instead of hellscapes or high-tech labs adds a fresh feel. It’s a nice break from the usual settings.
That said, some later levels still feel like you’re inside a hellish spaceship.
Even so, the shift in aesthetic—combined with the new gameplay mechanics—gives The Dark Ages its own unique identity in the series.
When the action gets intense and you're battling through a horde of demons, DOOM: The Dark Ages truly leaves a lasting impression.
It doesn’t stay in high gear all the time. But when it does, it hits hard and feels incredible.
Not every part of the game is flawless. Some areas could use more polish.
But if you’re after a wild, intense shooter that keeps your heart racing, this one delivers big time.
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