Doom: The Dark Ages Review – Time for Demons to Weep

The high-speed train of 2025’s quality games has now arrived at Doom: The Dark Ages, and it’s once again time to slaughter hellish demons. Let’s dive into the review.



Even so far, 2025 has been an incredible year for gamers — and it seems that momentum isn’t slowing down anytime soon. The latest proof of that is none other than Doom: The Dark Ages, the newest title from id Software, which once again offers a unique experience within the franchise while staying true to the core Doom DNA.



A Prequel to 2016’s Doom – The Slayer’s Most Personal Story Yet

Story-wise, Doom: The Dark Ages serves as a prequel to 2016’s Doom, taking players back to a medieval era within the Doom universe. If you remember, the 2016 version featured ancient texts that told of a battle between humans and hell’s demons, where a lone warrior stood against them — none other than the Doom Slayer himself. The Dark Ages tells that very story.

This time around, the game focuses on the Slayer’s most personal narrative yet, diving into his origin before the events of Doom (2016). What’s especially commendable is how id Software manages to explore the Slayer’s growth and transformation without overcomplicating the plot. The game stays true to Doom’s classic theme of battling evil, while focusing more directly on the Slayer himself — presented through more cinematic cutscenes than ever before.

From beginning to end, the Slayer is the undisputed star of the show, and watching him in action in these scenes is consistently exciting. That alone is enough to appreciate and enjoy the game’s story.

Forget What You Learned in Doom Eternal – It’s a New Game Now

No matter how many hours you’ve sunk into mastering Doom (2016) or Doom Eternal, once you start The Dark Ages, you’ll need to relearn everything. The game introduces new mechanics that might’ve worried longtime fans in trailers — but rest assured, The Dark Ages is still Doom through and through. It doesn’t imitate other shooters that themselves were originally inspired by Doom.

One of the most obvious changes is the addition of a shield, which fits with the game’s medieval setting. But the shield isn’t there to make the game easier — it’s an advanced combat tool. While it can block attacks for a few seconds, it breaks quickly, meaning you’ll often be left vulnerable. It’s not a crutch; it’s a tactical weapon.

The Slayer can parry certain enemy attacks (marked in green) using the shield — a mechanic that plays a major role in combat. The parry window is fairly generous, but the game's extensive difficulty settings balance that out. Players can fine-tune aspects of the game, including parry timing, for a custom challenge. If you're someone who only enjoys Doom on nightmare difficulty, rest assured — The Dark Ages can be punishingly hard.




New Melee Weapons – But It’s Still a Gun Game at Heart

The game also features melee weapons alongside the shield, but any concern that The Dark Ages has gone “melee-focused” is unfounded. These additions simply deepen the combat experience, giving players more tools and freedom in how they engage enemies.

The range of ranged weapons is impressive — there are returning favorites and brand-new weapons, like one that lets you launch skulls at enemies. Every weapon (including melee and shield abilities) can be upgraded, unlocking new skills and enhancing combat variety. By the end, the Slayer truly feels like a one-man demon-slaying army.



Meka Battles and Dragon Flights – Mixed Results

The game introduces several levels with completely different structures — including piloting a Meka (like a medieval titan) and flying a dragon into battle. If you’ve seen the trailers, you already know what to expect. Personally, I didn’t love these segments — not because they’re different, but because they break the game’s fast-paced rhythm.

For example, while piloting a titan, much of your time is spent dodging attacks and performing finishers. The dragon levels are similar — fly to your destination, enter assault mode, dodge turret fire, destroy them, then dismount for a regular Slayer mission. That last part — returning to the Slayer gameplay — is by far the most exciting part of these sequences.

That said, these levels don’t seriously harm the overall experience. First, they’re rare across the game’s 22 campaign missions, so most of your time is still spent in classic Doom gameplay. Plus, one of the titan levels includes one of the game’s best boss fights, making up for the weaker moments.



Bigger Levels, More Secrets – Classic Doom DNA

Ultimately, Doom: The Dark Ages delivers an exciting, unforgettable demon-slaying experience. The game’s levels are larger than ever — but never confusing or overwhelming. In fact, like classic Doom, each map is packed with secrets and hidden areas for curious players to explore, often rewarding you with valuable items and intense hidden fights.

Even if you’re not into exploration, you can follow the main path, take on diverse enemies and bosses, and enjoy the variety of combat strategies available.



Top-Tier Presentation – Visuals, Music, and Performance

Backing up all the gameplay is The Dark Ages’ excellent artistic, technical, and audio design. The soundtrack sticks with Doom’s signature metal-heavy vibe, making combat feel even more intense. Each environment — from hellscapes to dark forests and vast kingdoms — is richly detailed and visually distinct.

Weapons and enemies are also masterfully designed. On PC (the version tested), the game runs flawlessly — no frame drops, no bugs. Load times are practically non-existent: from selecting a mission to holding your weapon takes less than a second.



Final Verdict: A Worthy Doom Experience

All things considered, id Software has once again succeeded in creating a title worthy of the Doom legacy. The Dark Ages takes a few risks, adds some bold new features, but almost all of them pay off. The result is a thrilling, unforgettable demon-slaying festival. If you’re a fan of Doom or first-person action shooters in general, missing this game would be a huge mistake.


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Score: 9.5 / 10

Pros:

Preserves Doom’s core identity despite changes

High weapon and combat variety, thanks to the shield system

Excellent level design

Tons of hidden areas and secrets

Great enemy and boss variety

Wide range of difficulty settings

High-quality visuals and smooth performance

Intense, fitting soundtrack


Cons:

Dragon and Meka levels slightly disrupt the game’s pacing