Doom: The Dark Ages, launching May 15, 2025, is a daring prequel that reimagines id Software’s legendary FPS series with a medieval, melee-heavy twist. Set before Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, it trades running and shooting for standing and fighting in melee, turning the Doom Slayer from a fast shooter into an iron tank. While this new gameplay will be loved by many, it is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea! Here’s what you need to know about Doom: The Dark Ages so you can decide if it’s the right game for you!
Story & Setting: The Slayer’s Origin Unraveled
This game delves into the Doom Slayer’s origins, portraying him as a weapon forged by gods and kings. The story is set in a medieval age, where we’re manipulated by a mysterious religious order. Your goal is to battle and reclaim your destiny by confronting demonic entities. The story unfolds across gothic castles, corrupted forests, and ancient dungeons, all improved by cinematic cutscenes and deeper lore.
If you ever wanted to know more about the origins of Doom, it is definitely worth getting into this one just for this. You will not be disappointed.
Gameplay: Stand, Fight, and Shred
Here is where things will get complicated. The gameplay is very different from the older games, and not everyone will like it. Moving away from the series’ traditional run-and-gun mechanics, The Dark Ages emphasizes close-quarters combat. The introduction of the Shield Saw, a versatile tool for blocking, parrying, and attacking, changes completely how you engage in combat. New melee weapons like the flail, spiked mace, and electrified gauntlet offer varied combat styles as well.
Of course, you can still use firearms! The Super Shotgun and Skullcrusher remain, but the game encourages a more melee approach over constant movement. The Glory Kill system and parry mechanics have been reworked to add more strategic depth, rewarding precise timing and aggression.
While this can be a good change, it is definitely not something for everyone. If you despise parry mechanics, you will have a hard time.
Keep in mind that the Shield isn’t just for parrying. It’s also a powerful weapon. You can throw it, attach saw blades to its edges, and perform devastating shield bashes. These unique options make the Shield far more than just a tool for defense, adding extra layers of strategy and fun to fights!
On top of that, the Shield Saw also serves as a traversal tool, enabling access to hidden areas and shortcuts!
Doom’s Biggest Battleground Yet, but Solo
Talking about hidden things, The Dark Ages offers the most expansive levels in the franchise, blending linear missions with open exploration. You can uncover secrets, solve environmental puzzles, and engage in side quests that add to the game’s lore.
Adding to this are sequences where you can pilot a high-tech mech or ride a cybernetic dragon, introducing completely new gameplay dynamics. You can use those to both fight and explore!
One thing to point out as well is that there is no multiplayer option, which is a massive change to the series. While this does not take away anything from the game, if your goal was to play with friends, know that this will not be possible, at least for the time being.
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Strengths
- You will not get bored, there is always action
- Expansive level design
- The shield is actually really fun to use
- Deep and impactful lore
- High performance even on the highest settings
- It encourages you to never let go of your trigger, with overheating dealing more damage instead of rendering the gun unusable
- Weaknesses
- Some non-combat segments, like mech and dragon sequences, feel underdeveloped
- The melee combat may not appeal to fans of the series’ traditional fast-paced shooting
- Puzzles and traversals are sometimes too repetitive
- The skill-tree can feel a bit too simplified
- Lacks a bit of performance on consoles
With a current score of 85 on Metacritic, Doom: The Dark Ages received overall positive reviews! It’s definitely an excellent addition to the series. If you are a Doom fan, we recommend you try it out, you should not be disappointed!