Doom has always been the blueprint for mayhem. Shotguns, secrets, and demons—three ingredients that defined the franchise since 1993 and kept the blood pumping through every sequel and reboot. But Doom: The Dark Ages, the latest offering from Id Software, dares to ask: what if Doomguy traded Mars for medieval madness, swapped tech armor for war-torn plate, and picked up a shield alongside his trusty boomsticks?
Set long before the events of Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, The Dark Ages catapults players into a dark, twisted techno-feudal world overrun by demonic invasions and ancient rival factions. At first glance, this fantasy-infused reimagining might seem like a far cry from Doom’s traditional sci-fi horror, but don’t be fooled—The Dark Ages may have dragons, mechs, and moody storylines, but at its molten core, it’s still Doom. And it still rips.
The Doomguy’s new playground consists of sprawling battlefields and cavernous arenas filled with unholy hordes. The combat is louder, bloodier, and somehow even more primal. Where Doom Eternalemphasized tactical weapon-switching and enemy counters, The Dark Ages dials into raw brutality. And with an arsenal of devastating new tools—like a spiked shield that doubles as a buzzsaw boomerang, or a cannon that fires chained cannonballs—the combat feels refreshingly liberating.
There’s something almost musical about the way fights flow in The Dark Ages. Block with the shield, parry a demon’s attack, follow up with a skull-cracking mace swing, then blast a crowd to bits with a shotgun—all in one uninterrupted sequence. It’s not just fun; it’s cathartic. This rhythm is what carries the game through its 22 levels, many of which are sprawling, layered, and teeming with secrets. The open-level design isn’t truly “open-world,” but it offers just enough space to breathe, explore, and slaughter at your leisure.
That’s not to say the old favorites have been left behind. The combat and super shotguns return, more satisfying than ever. The BFG has been reimagined as a massive crossbow that vaporizes entire hordes in a green explosion. You’ll grin every time it clears a room. And yes, there are plenty of demons. From cannon fodder to towering minibosses, the game rarely gives you a chance to catch your breath. But thankfully, this Doom encourages aggressive play by rewarding you with ammo, health, and armor for every punch, slice, and bullet.
If there’s one area where The Dark Ages stumbles, it’s in its narrative ambition. While previous games thrived on minimalist storytelling, letting the action speak louder than lore, this prequel leans hard into exposition. There are long cutscenes. MacGuffins. Subplots. Ancient prophecies. And characters you’ll forget ten minutes after meeting them. The Doomguy himself remains mostly silent—save for a perfectly delivered one-liner—but everyone else won’t stop talking about war, legacy, or long-lost power artifacts. It’s a jarring change of pace for a series that once summed up its plot as “Demons bad. Shotgun good.”
Still, there are moments when the story indulges in its absurdity with flair. A toll collector demanding payment gets a shotgun to the face. A demon prince’s monologue gets cut short with a spiked shield to the skull. These are the narrative beats Doom does best—short, savage, and darkly hilarious. The rest of it? You’ll probably skip it on replay.
Luckily, what The Dark Ages lacks in pacing, it more than makes up for in spectacle. The dragon-riding and mech-fighting segments, though limited, are polished and exhilarating. They’re introduced just enough to shake things up without overstaying their welcome. Flying on the back of a cyber-dragon while torching demonic airships is ridiculous, over-the-top, and absolutely awesome. The mech combat? Think Pacific Rim meets Doom. It shouldn’t work—but it absolutely does.
What doesn’t work quite as well is the ending. After building tension and delivering a phenomenal boss battle, the game pushes forward with an additional level and two more bosses. It feels like an encore that drags a bit too long. Not bad, but unnecessary—especially when the original climax lands with such force. Instead of sticking the landing, the game takes a few awkward steps beyond the finish line.
That said, Doom: The Dark Ages is a bold reinvention that nails the most important thing: fun. It’s a medieval bloodbath with an industrial metal heart, and while its narrative ambitions occasionally get in the way of its breakneck pacing, the sheer joy of combat never falters. Whether you’re tearing through demons with a saw-blade shield, lighting up a horde with a skull-spewing minigun, or exploring vast castles full of secrets, this is still unmistakably Doom.
And even if you roll your eyes at another lore dump or a second ending, the moment you reload that Super Shotgun and charge into the next blood-soaked arena, all is forgiven. Because at the end of the day, Doom isn’t about story—it’s about that feeling. That momentum. That roar of the chainsaw and crunch of demon bone.
Doom: The Dark Ages might bring dragons and drama into the mix, but when the music hits and the blood starts flying, it’s still Doom through and through. And that’s more than enough.
