The infernal legions have once again spilled forth. And with them, the indomitable DOOM Slayer returns in DOOM: The Dark Ages. This latest chapter isn’t just another entry; it’s a bold re-imagining that marries the series’ signature breakneck pace with a fresh, brutal medieval aesthetic. For those of us who live for the thrill of demon-slaying, The Dark Ages isn’t just a game – it’s a visceral, exhilarating statement that id Software continues to be the undisputed master of first-person mayhem.
A Visually Striking and Brutally Engaged World
From the moment you load the first shell into your shotgun, The Dark Ages envelops you in a world that is both familiar and strikingly new. The combination of classic hellish landscapes with a gritty, dark fantasy medieval twist is a stroke of genius. Crumbling castles, ancient, blood-soaked battlegrounds, and labyrinthine demonic fortresses are rendered with breath taking detail, making every arena a character in itself. The new roster of grotesque enemies feels perfectly at home in this grim setting. Each one a horrifying testament to id’s unparalleled creature design. It’s a visual feast of destruction, where every explosive demon, every splattering of gore, is a proof of the game’s meticulous artistry.
Gameplay: A Relentless, Evolving Crusade
At its core, DOOM: The Dark Ages remains a masterclass in push-forward combat. The rhythm of shooting, Shield bashing, and glory killing is as addictive as ever, demanding aggressive play and lightning-fast reflexes. However, id Software isn’t afraid to shake things up.
One of the shifts for veterans of DOOM Eternal will be the absence of the double jump and dash mechanics. Bringing it more inline with DOOM 2016. While it’s a genuine shame to see those incredibly fluid traversal options go. It forces us to adapt to a slightly more grounded (though no less agile) Slayer. The game compensates with new movement opportunities and level design that encourages different tactical approaches. The combat remains incredibly fluid, just with a different kind of flow.
The Glory Kill system has also seen a significant tweak. Now, these satisfying, brutal finishers only trigger for specific, larger enemies, rewarding you with crucial ammo, health, or armour increases. This shift keeps the combat loop incredibly fast, ensuring you’re always on the move, always managing resources. While I admit there was a certain undeniable satisfaction in seeing the sheer variety of animations in Eternal for every single demon, the new system streamlines the action and keeps the pressure on.
Mammoth Mayhem: Unleashing Beast and Machine
But perhaps the more noticable game-changers are the additions of the mecha-dragon, Serrat and the giant mechs – The Atlans. These aren’t just one-off gimmicks; they integrate seamlessly into certain missions, adding an entirely new dimension of scale and destruction. Soaring above the battlefield on a fire-breathing beast is fast paced. And stomping through hordes of demons in a towering war machine elevates the carnage to epic proportions, makes you feel like an unstoppable force.
Furthermore, some missions now boast a more open, almost arena-like structure. This newfound openness allows for greater player agency, letting you approach each demonic encounter with more strategic freedom. You can choose your engagements. Flank enemies, and tackle objectives in an order that suits your preferred style of annihilation. This adds a welcome layer of replayability and tactical depth.
Arsenal of Annihilation: Mastering the Slayer’s Tools
The weapons in DOOM: The Dark Ages are as diverse and devastating as ever, each one a perfectly crafted instrument of demonic destruction. From the classic Super Shotgun, to the new and devastating Shield Saw, the arsenal offers a wide range of options to suit any playstyle. What truly elevates the combat, however, is the return of enemy weaknesses. Each demon type has a specific vulnerability to certain weapons, encouraging tactical weapon-switching and rewarding players who learn these weaknesses. For example, the heavily armoured Barons of Hell are particularly susceptible to the Ballista, while the agile Imps can be quickly dispatched with a well-aimed shotgun blast. And throwing the shield as enemies with shields will make them explode.
Mastering these weapon matchups is key to surviving the relentless onslaught and adds a strategic layer to the already frantic combat. There are also lots of upgrades to each weapon, purchasable with gold/rubies at various Sentinel Shrines though out each level.
There is also a change in melee combat in The Dark Ages. The ever-present chainsaw has gone to make way to a new array of brutal, medieval-inspired instruments of pain. Replacing the chainsaw’s resource-generating role are formidable tools like the Power Gauntlet, a swift and impactful fist weapon, the Flail, which swings a devastating spiked ball with satisfying splash damage, and the Dreadmace, a slow but immensely powerful maul capable of crushing multiple foes at once. Each of these new melee options brings a distinct weight and rhythm to close-quarters encounters. Each demanding more deliberate, yet equally satisfying, engagement with the demonic hordes. This change encourages players to master the nuances of each bludgeon, transforming the visceral act of ripping and tearing into an even more tactical dance of destruction.
Story and Lore: Unveiling Ancient Horrors
While the gameplay is the undisputed king, The Dark Ages doesn’t shy away from expanding the rich, brutal tapestry of the DOOM universe. The narrative delves deeper into the Slayer’s enigmatic past, exploring the ancient conflicts and prophecies that shaped his eternal war against hell. The storytelling is more pronounced here, woven through stunning cinematics and environmental clues, giving a compelling weight to every demon you obliterate. It’s a fascinating journey that enriches the lore without ever getting in the way of the glorious violence.
Performance and Accessibility: The cloud Advantage
DOOM: The Dark Ages is a visual powerhouse. Its stunning graphics, intricate environments, and non-stop action truly demand serious horsepower to run at their peak. This is precisely where cloud gaming becomes an absolute game-changer. Services like GeForce NOW and Xbox Cloud Gaming allow you to experience every gory detail, every explosive firefight, and every fluid animation at max settings, with high frame rates, even if your local machine isn’t a beast. GeForce NOW, however, requires a premium subscription to play, due to the high specs required. This is possibly the best way to play in the cloud, delivering the lightning-fast, responsive combat that defines DOOM without compromise, and allowing you to truly unleash the Slayer’s full potential without breaking the bank on hardware.
Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Mayhem
DOOM: The Dark Ages is more than just a sequel; it’s a bold evolution. It respects its brutal heritage while fearlessly introducing new mechanics and expanding its universe. Despite some shifts in movement and Glory Kill mechanics, the core experience is undeniably DOOM at its absolute best – fast, ferocious, and endlessly satisfying. This is a must-play for anyone who craves high-octane action, and thanks to the power of GeForce NOW, the gates of hell are open to everyone. Go forth, Slayer, rip and tear until it is done!
Doom: The Dark Ages
Summary
DOOM: The Dark Ages is an absolute blast, delivering the series’ signature, relentless combat with a fresh, medieval twist that looks incredible. While we’ll miss the double jump and dash, new mechanics like the strategic Glory Kills for resources, and especially the epic dragon and mech combat, keep the action thrilling and inventive.
