Doom: The Dark Ages is the newest game in the Doom series. It was released in May 2025 on PlayStation 5 and other platforms. This game takes the classic fast-paced Doom shooting and mixes it with medieval themes. The result is a new experience for fans of the franchise. But how well does this new style work? Let’s explore everything about Doom: The Dark Ages.
A Fresh Story Set in the Past
The story of Doom: The Dark Ages goes back in time. It shows how the Doom Slayer became the hero we know from the previous games. The setting is very different from the future and sci-fi worlds of Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal. Instead, this game is set in a world that looks like it comes from the Viking era, with castles, swords, and ancient magic.
The Doom Slayer is still a powerful and silent warrior. Unlike other games where heroes talk a lot, the Slayer only says one word during the whole game. Even without words, the game shows his emotions through his facial expressions and body language. He is a fearsome figure but also shows moments of sadness or pain. This adds more depth to the character than before.
The story itself is simple. It focuses on the fight between good and evil, where the Doom Slayer battles demons and strange enemies from other worlds. There are some important characters, like King Novik, who add more details about the world and its history. The story helps players understand the Slayer’s mission and his long war against dark forces.
New Combat: Parrying and Shield Saw
One of the biggest changes in Doom: The Dark Ages is how you fight enemies. The game introduces a new combat style focused on parrying. Parrying means blocking or reflecting enemy attacks at the right time.
You get a special tool called the Shield Saw. This helps you block enemy strikes and then quickly hit back. When enemies attack with moves that glow green, you can press a button to parry. This stuns the enemy or breaks their armor, making them easier to defeat.
Parrying makes the combat slower and more strategic than the fast, nonstop shooting in previous Doom games. You need to pay attention to enemy moves and react quickly. This new style changes the flow of fights and makes them feel fresh.
However, the parry system is very easy to use at the start. The window to successfully parry an attack is quite large. This means you don’t need perfect timing to block enemy hits. On normal difficulty, this can make battles feel simple or even too easy. You can change the parry window to make it harder, but the game does not increase difficulty in other ways. This can make combat repetitive after a while.
Weapons and Fighting Variety
Doom: The Dark Ages includes many weapons to choose from. You have the classic super shotgun and powerful laser guns, as well as new melee weapons like axes and swords. Sadly, the famous chainsaw is missing from this game, which might disappoint some longtime fans.
The combat is violent and satisfying. You slice, shoot, and parry your way through waves of demons. Different enemies have unique attacks that you must learn to parry or avoid. This variety keeps fights interesting and challenging.
Sometimes, you will find yourself in large battlefields. Here, you must complete objectives such as destroying towers or activating switches. These missions add some freedom to the game. You don’t just run through straight corridors. Instead, you explore wider areas and fight enemies in different ways.
Flying Dragons and Giant Mechs
Doom: The Dark Ages adds two new types of levels that stand out from regular combat.
First, you get to ride a demon dragon. The dragon has guns on its back, and you fly through the sky shooting enemies below. While flying, you can also use the Shield Saw to charge the dragon’s weapons. These dragon levels are fun but feel slower and less exciting than the regular fights.
Second, the game includes levels where you pilot a giant mech. In these parts, you stomp on demons and buildings and fight huge monsters. These mech fights are short but feel powerful and dramatic. They add variety but don’t change the core gameplay much.
Both the dragon and mech levels are like special events. They give players a break from normal shooting but don’t fully capture the energy and speed of the main combat.
Visuals and Sound
The graphics in Doom: The Dark Ages are impressive. The game blends medieval castles and Viking villages with dark dungeons and strange technology. The environments are detailed and full of life. Enemy designs are creative and match the medieval fantasy style.
The soundtrack is slower and more melodic than previous Doom games. It fits the medieval theme well but does not have the heavy, intense feel of the earlier Doom music by Mick Gordon. Some fans might miss the fast and aggressive music that made earlier games feel so powerful.
Story and Characters
While Doom games are mostly about action, Dark Ages tries to tell a better story. There are more cutscenes and dialogue than in past titles. The story explains the Doom Slayer’s history and the world’s dark secrets.
Some characters are memorable and add depth, but many feel like simple helpers or enemies. The story is interesting but not very complex. The game focuses more on action than on deep storytelling.
What Could Be Improved?
Despite its strengths, Doom: The Dark Ages has some flaws.
- Parrying feels too easy: Once you learn it, combat can become repetitive. The game does not introduce new parry moves or increase difficulty much.
- Objectives are simple: Many missions just require destroying towers or pressing switches. This can get boring over time.
- No chainsaw: The missing chainsaw is a disappointment for some fans.
- Dragon and mech levels feel weak: They add variety but don’t fully engage the player or feel exciting.
- Music is less intense: The soundtrack is good but lacks the energy of earlier Doom games.
Final Thoughts
Doom: The Dark Ages offers a fresh twist on the classic Doom experience. It blends medieval fantasy with violent shooting and adds a new combat mechanic through parrying.
The slower combat and story-driven approach make it different from the fast-paced Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal. This will appeal to players who want a more strategic fight and a medieval atmosphere.
However, some parts of the game feel too easy or simple. The dragon and mech levels are fun but don’t add much depth. The music and story do not match the power of previous Doom games.
If you want to try a new kind of Doom game with medieval style and parry combat, this is a good choice. But if you prefer fast, nonstop action and intense music, you might feel a bit disappointed.
Still, Doom: The Dark Ages is a fun and brutal adventure. It may not be the best Doom game ever, but it offers a fresh and interesting experience.