In 2016 a new installment of the DOOM franchise would be released, being that since that moment the fans were waiting for new titles, which came with DOOM Eternal, which, like the first game mentioned, got a great reception from the people. That’s why, when the arrival of DOOM: The Dark Ages was announced and with a trailer full of excitement for this 2025, the hype only increased and now came the expected moment, being that in this review we will get into the skin of the Doom Slayer and one of his most violent ways so far.
The story of DOOM: The Dark Ages
The first thing to do with DOOM: The Dark Ages is to place ourselves in time and space in the timeline of the last titles, being that The Dark Ages works as a prequel to DOOM (2016), so we will be able to know a little better the Doom Slayer, as well as several other characters. In this context we will be placed in a semi-medieval, semi-modern world, in which a demonic leader will want to take control of the world, being that he has to recover an object that will give him enough power.
To do this, he sends hundreds of troops of demons of all kinds to not only look for what he needs, but also to eliminate all the humans that cross his path. But among them is our main character, Doom Slayer, who, as usual in the saga, will not only get in the way, but will unleash all his hatred towards the demons with a great arsenal, as well as his abilities, in a world that is getting closer and closer to the apocalypse.
Throughout the story, which is entertaining and to know every step that will be taken in this fight against the demon leader Ahzrak and his hordes, we will meet many important faces that will interact not only with the Slayer, but also have a great weight in the plot. Commander Thira, King Novik or Bishop Kreed are some of them and their personalities are not only very marked, but they give a depth that had not been seen so far with the past installments.
For his part, the Doom Slayer, even without being the most talkative of them all, has a very powerful aura in each of his appearances, which will only increase his popularity with the fans, especially in some specific moments where he makes it clear who he is. But undoubtedly what stands out about him is his hatred for demons, which he crushes without thinking twice.
Gameplay of DOOM: The Dark Ages
And this new game follows much of the line of the past two installments, although it improves some aspects and gets rid of others. Doom Slayer is faster and more agile than ever, and just like in DOOM Eternal, he will be able to climb walls, jump a little higher when running and above all use his fists to fight. That’s because in DOOM: The Dark Ages, this type of attacks have a greater relevance than what we have seen so far, because in addition to firearms, we can use our fists or melee weapons to eliminate our enemies.
But undoubtedly the main playable system will be based on the weapons that the Slayer uses, being that the variety is known from previous titles, such as shotguns or rocket launchers, but DOOM: The Dark Ages also stands out for having an arsenal of very original weapons. As a clear example of this is the well-known Pulverizer, a weapon that uses skulls as ammunition, crushing them and throwing them at enemies, which we saw in the trailers and that in the game can be one of the best weapons of all.
Although something that DOOM: The Dark Ages does very well is that each weapon is very useful for combat, not by acquiring a weapon at the beginning of the game means that the more we advance it will be left aside, but all of them are useful, although there are also some that work better against certain enemies, but the system is very balanced. Also, all weapons can be upgraded, so if you only adapt to playing with shotguns, you can take it to the sky and create a real demon killing machine, although there is one item that gets all the looks.
The shield in DOOM: The Dark Ages plays a more than fundamental role
One of the most interesting additions that could be seen in the trailers of DOOM: The Dark Ages was a shield that the Slayer wielded, which also came with a saw that could be used to attack enemies. And although at first this seemed like just another weapon, the truth is that it has a fundamental role in the game, since it can not only be used for protection, but it also enables a parry system on which the entire gameplay is based. This is because the enemies (except for those known as Cannon Fodder, which are the weakest) all the others have attacks that can and must be countered with this system.
By touching a button at the right time (when the enemy attacks turn green) we can counter with the shield, opening the defenses of the enemies to be able to leave them exposed to our attacks with weapons. But that’s not all, since the shield can also be thrown, this in order to stop enemies in their tracks so that we can attack them freely while taking damage, but this can be counterproductive, as the Slayer himself will be exposed.
In addition, the shield is used as a tool to overcome several puzzles throughout the game, for example, it can be thrown to some green totems and then be thrown to them, as a kind of hook and reach much farther areas. He can also break several walls, as well as move some key objects to advance in the story.
And besides the shield, which will be a great melee weapon, the Slayer has another way to attack in addition to his powerful firearms combined with the new shield, and that is that our protagonist can use his fists to attack enemies, although these are limited. This is because each hit of this type executed on an enemy will release ammunition for our weapons, being that if he is executed after a successful parry, we can make a combo of several hits to not only do more damage, but also to get ammunition.
Finally, and as many expected, DOOM: The Dark Ages maintains the well-known executions, which serve not only to finish off enemies, but with this elimination mode you can get even more life for each enemy casualty. In this game they were simplified a bit from what was seen in, for example, DOOM Eternal, since performing an execution facing the enemy will eliminate him with his weapon, but if, in other cases, you jump over the enemy and touch the execution button, a special animation will appear where the Slayer demonstrates all his power.
Two new ways to eliminate demons: The Dragon and Atlan.
The Doom Slayer is by itself a perfect machine to defeat demons, but in DOOM: The Dark Ages you will have access to two special “vehicles” to be able to move in some levels and, as expected, eliminate demonic beings. The first of them is the Dragon, which comes armed with cannons that can be fired while piloting it, being that in its missions the flight system is not only very comfortable, but with a single button you can enter the assault mode for combats against enemies.
The moments where the Dragon is piloted are very fun, and there is also the possibility of getting off it at exact points, perfectly combining the two game systems, which complement each other perfectly in the game and will make everyone love the Dragon during their games.
The Doom Slayer by itself is a perfect machine to defeat demons, but in DOOM: The Dark Ages you will have access to two special “vehicles” to be able to move in some levels and, as expected, eliminate demonic beings. The first of them is the Dragon, which comes armed with cannons that can be fired while piloting it, being that in its missions the flight system is not only very comfortable, but with a single button you can enter the assault mode for combats against enemies.
The moments where the Dragon is piloted are very fun, and there is also the possibility of getting off it at exact points, perfectly combining the two game systems, which complement each other perfectly in the game and will make everyone love the Dragon during their games.
On the other hand, there is the Atlan, a mecha of colossal size which feels very comfortable, just as you can control the Slayer, but with a slightly slower movement that gives the feeling of controlling a being as colossal as this. In his case, the Atlan has its own game system, which is based on melee combat, where the shield parry is replaced by a dodge that fulfills the same function, and by performing perfect hits and dodges, the attack bar is filled to be able to perform special moves to defeat enemies.
Both the Atlan and the Dragon are a great addition in DOOM: The Dark Ages, and players will enjoy the missions to the fullest, especially for being new weapons when facing the demonic beings that we will encounter throughout the story.
DOOM: The Dark Ages Enemies and Levels
These two points go hand in hand, since throughout the story we will visit different territories, and each of these not only have the classic enemies that are repeated in the areas, but there are also thematic enemies. As for enemies, we will find the classic Cannon Fodder, being these the weakest demons scattered throughout the levels and that can be killed quickly to get life or ammunition.
Then we have the Imps, Mancubus, Arachnothrones or more, which we already saw in previous titles, but in this case not only have all new modeling, but several of these are stylized to continue with the medieval aesthetics of DOOM: The Dark Ages.
On the other hand, the levels are very explorable, being that in each of them, and for the pleasure of the most detailed players, the title has a large number of secrets that can be found in each of the maps, which in each chapter can be explored freely. Thanks to this we will find codex entries, rubies to improve weapons or a favorite of all as are the classic collectible toys, which return in DOOM: The Dark Ages.
Graphics and sound
One of the most surprising aspects of DOOM: The Dark Ages is the graphics, since this is the first of the latest titles to be released exclusively for next-generation consoles such as PlayStation 5 and Xbox S/X Series, as well as PC. And as expected, this game has a very high graphic quality, something that would be expected from an exclusive game of this generation and that is highly appreciated, especially with the 60 fps so fluid that make each combat an extremely satisfying experience.
For its part the modeling of the characters and scenarios are also developed with an incredible quality and it is very easy to get lost with the details of each level, whether watching a battle between an Atlan and a giant demon in the distance or an imposing construction in the background, everything looks perfect. Where you can get to see the lack of a little quality is to appreciate closely some textures, but generally speaking what is achieved by DOOM: The Dark Ages far exceeds expectations.
On the other hand, at the sound level, DOOM: The Dark Ages is what fans of the franchise, and especially of the latest games, would expect with Heavy Metal songs that perfectly complement the fast and hard action that is experienced in the game. For its part, the weapons also generate sounds that you would expect from these, such as the shotgun with its powerful shots or the Pulverizer with the destruction of each of the skulls when firing.
With work of the highest quality and featuring some familiar voices from other very important games. For example, King Novik is voiced by Adrian Wowczuk, who gave life to Joel Miller in The Last of Us franchise, that’s why fans will also enjoy DOOM: The Dark Ages to the fullest at the sound level.
Conclusion
DOOM: The Dark Ages was one of the most anticipated games not only by fans of the franchise, but also one of the most anticipated games of the year, and with that weight on its back it had to make the grade. And it can be said that not only did it succeed, but it also surpassed itself in several aspects, innovating in the classic gameplay seen in recent years and adding new ways to enjoy the frenetic combats for which it is known. In addition, at the level of graphics we really find a game of the current generation, with a care to enjoy every fight.
On the other hand, the game lasts about 20 hours, but with all the things that can be unlocked as collectibles, perform the corresponding challenges to unlock weapon designs and more will make this one of the most replayable titles of the entire franchise. That’s why fans, as well as people outside the world of shooters and one as frenetic as DOOM will be able to enjoy this game from beginning to end.
Remember that DOOM: The Dark Ages will be available from May 15 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X and PC, and those who purchase the special versions will be able to access the game in advance from May 12.
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