A brutal, beautiful evolution of the Doom formula.
Disclosure: Xbox and Bethesda provided the game for review.
Doom: The Dark Ages throws the Doom Slayer into a medieval hellscape packed with demons, mechs and pure chaos. It’s a prequel, it’s on Game Pass, and it’s a brutal, beautiful evolution of the Doom formula. I never once thought “ugh, another battle.”
Watch the video review
Doom: The Dark Ages Review: The Slayer at His Most BadassWant to play it? Check the price on Amazon (also on PS5) or see every option in Where to buy.
Story
The Dark Ages goes back to the Slayer’s origins, when he was a relentless weapon in a medieval war against Hell’s armies. Without spoiling the best parts, there are some dope moments that flesh out his legend and give lore fans plenty to geek out over. The presentation is a big step up from past Doom games, with cinematic cutscenes and tighter pacing that build on the mythology from Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal.
The narrative itself is pretty straightforward, though. Outside of those Slayer-focused beats, the plot didn’t grab me. It’s a backdrop for the action, not a story that sticks with you. For Doom, where combat is king, that’s not a dealbreaker.
Gameplay
This is where the game shines brighter than a glory kill explosion. The Slayer feels like a walking tank, heavy enough that every step feels powerful. The gunplay is perfection, mixing classics like the Super Shotgun with new toys like the flail. The star is the Shield Saw: throw it like Captain America, parry with it or block, and it adds a fresh layer of strategy from the start.
Combat is a thrilling dance of aggression and precision. With three or four heavies throwing attacks while fodder swarms, it gets intense, but learning their patterns, weaving between projectiles and parrying is insanely satisfying. The push-forward loop of managing health, ammo and armor is balanced spot on. Exploration is just as engaging, with a map that clearly shows secrets without clutter. Some are easy, some are telegraphed but tricky, and a few are hidden so well they feel like a treasure hunt.
Mission variety breaks up the pace. Flying the cyber-dragon is smooth and fun, even if chasing down targets can be tricky, and you feel like a badass. The Atlan mech battles are awesome too, with combat that’s different from the main game but just as satisfying.
Visuals and Performance
On id Tech 8, the environments are a masterpiece: towering gothic castles, massive statues and demon-ravaged battlefields that blend medieval grit with otherworldly horror. Dynamic shadows and glowing effects make explosions and blood splatter pop like crazy. The Slayer’s armor is a work of art. The human characters don’t match, though. A couple of main characters look decent, but most NPCs have stiff animations and weaker textures, and the world below during the mech fights feels static, which breaks the sense of scale a bit. Performance is buttery and responsive throughout.
Sound
The sound design is pure fire. The Super Shotgun booms, the flail lands with a gritty thwack, and demon flesh ripping apart is almost satisfying. The soundtrack from Finishing Move channels Doom’s heavy metal roots while mixing in medieval war drums and chants, and it ramps up perfectly with the chaos. The Slayer stays silent, as he should. Supporting performances are solid, but the real stars are the gun blasts, demon roars and that pulse-pounding score.
Verdict
id Software went all in on gameplay, and it pays off in spades. The combat is an adrenaline-pumping masterpiece, the shield adds fresh depth, and the world begs to be explored. The story and human characters don’t hit the same heights, but this is the Slayer at his most badass and a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.
Image: id Software / Bethesda Softworks
More on OnPoint: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Review: A Resounding 10.
The verdict: Amazing
A brutal, beautiful evolution of the Doom formula.
Pros
- Heavy, aggressive combat that's insanely satisfying
- The Shield Saw is a game-changer
- Rewarding exploration with well-designed secrets
- Dragon and mech missions add variety
- Stunning environments and a pounding soundtrack
Cons
- Stiff, less detailed human characters
- The world below feels static during mech fights
- Story is mostly a backdrop
Platform played: Xbox
Where to buy
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
