DOOM - The Dark Ages Review
DOOM: The Dark Ages is like someone took the classic DOOM formula, threw it into a medieval blender, and cranked the dial to “insane.” This game is a prequel, putting you back in the Doom Slayer’s boots in a world that looks like a heavy metal band designed a castle. I’ve been digging into what folks are saying—critics, players on X, you name it—and this thing is a bloody good time, even if it’s got a couple of hiccups. Let me break it down for you.
First off, the combat is just nuts. You’re tearing through demons with everything from a double-barreled shotgun to this new flail that feels like swinging a spiked wrecking ball. The real star, though, is the shield. You can block attacks, chuck it like a buzzsaw, or use it to launch a chainsaw for extra carnage. PC Gamer’s previews called it a game-changer, and they’re not wrong—every fight feels like you’re conducting a symphony of gore. You’re dodging, blasting, and glory-killing your way through waves of enemies, from grunt demons to massive bosses like these Atlan mechs that’ll make your palms sweat. The arenas are built to keep you moving, and it’s pure chaos in the best way.
The vibe here is straight-up medieval madness. Think crumbling fortresses, glowing pentagrams, and skies that look like they’re on fire. Oh, and you get to ride a freaking dragon. Yeah, a dragon! You can swoop in, torch enemies, or call down hellfire. The visuals are jaw-dropping, and Mick Gordon’s soundtrack is like a sledgehammer to your eardrums. GameSpot nailed it when they said the levels feel alive—every corner’s got some grotesque detail or destructible bit that makes you wanna stop and gawk (if you weren’t busy killing). The story’s light, just enough to hint at the Slayer’s origins, but let’s be real: you’re here to rip and tear, not read a novel.
New stuff like the dragon and slick movement—double jumps, dashes—keep things fresh. The dragon’s a blast in open areas, but some levels are cramped, and Eurogamer pointed out that can make dodging a pain when you’re swarmed. The campaign’s about 10-15 hours, which CGMagazine called “focused” but left some folks, like IGN’s previewers, wishing for more meat. There’s secrets and side bits to hunt, but don’t expect an open-world epic. It’s a straight shot of DOOM goodness.
Tech-wise, this game’s a beast. It runs like a dream on my Series X—60 FPS, crisp as hell. PC players with monster rigs can crank up ray-tracing, and Digital Foundry geeked out over how well it’s optimized. I saw a few X posts griping about frame dips on base PS5s during crazy fights, but I didn’t notice much. Accessibility’s solid too, with difficulty options for newbies and Nightmare mode for masochists.
It’s not flawless, though. Some levels in the middle drag a bit, like they’re recycling the same demon mosh pit. Eurogamer mentioned the AI can be a little predictable if you cheese certain moves. Also, no multiplayer, which stings if you loved fragging friends in DOOM Eternal. Still, the single-player’s so tight, and PC mod support means you can keep tinkering.
Bottom line? DOOM: The Dark Ages is a face-melting ride. It’s got the series’ heart—fast, brutal, unapologetic—with a fresh medieval coat of paint. Places like PC Invasion slapped it with a 9/10, and I get why. It’s not perfect, but if you wanna slay demons to a killer soundtrack, this is your jam. Just don’t expect a 50-hour saga or deathmatch. It’s DOOM doing DOOM, and it’s awesome.
