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| Photo credit : Software |
Since its rebirth in 2016, the Doom franchise has been synonymous with breakneck pacing, acrobatic gunplay, and a relentless emphasis on “rip and tear.” With Doom: The Dark Ages, id Software takes a daring detour into a medieval-inspired prequel, recasting the Doom Slayer as an “iron tank” locked in brutal melee duels against hellish hordes. Released on May 15, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows, this eighth mainline entry reframes the series’ core tenets around weighty weaponry, strategic parries, and visceral up-close combat—all while retaining that signature adrenaline rush
A Dark Age Setting and Story
Rather than revisiting Mars or futuristic labs, The Dark Ages plunges players into a grim, pseudo-medieval realm where citadels crumble under demonic siege. This narrative choice isn’t mere window dressing: cutscenes and environmental storytelling enrich the Slayer’s origin tale, marking a step up from the lore-light interludes of prior Doom titles. While id Software doesn’t aim for a sprawling RPG narrative, the added context—complete with ominous prophecies and blood-spattered keeps—imbues each arena with purpose and heightens the stakes of every demon-slaying rampage
Reinvented Combat: Shields, Parry, and Melee
At the heart of The Dark Ages lies a combat overhaul. The Shield Saw, an evolutive take on Doom Eternal’s Meathook, serves triple duty: block incoming blows, parry enemy strikes, and slice through mobs with brutal efficiency. Mastering the parry window not only deflects damage but also triggers potent counter-kill animations essential when facing tougher demons on higher difficulties. This “fight like a gladiator” ethos extends to new melee weapons maces, flails, and the bone-shattering Skull Crusher forcing players to balance ranged suppression with up-close brutality. The result is a combat loop that feels both fresh and suitably vicious.
Level Design and Pacing
Gone are the vertical, jump-heavy arenas of Doom Eternal; in their place stand broader, flatter battlegrounds that prioritize direct confrontations over parkour flair. As PC Gamer observes, these arenas are “wide, flat battlefields with fewer death pits and high grounds,” a design shift that streamlines flow especially on controller by reducing mandatory platforming segments. Missions are also notably expansive: players can expect 20+ levels, each clocking in longer than the average run in Doom (2016) or Eternal, allowing for deeper exploration, hidden collectibles, and emergent combat scenarios.
Visuals, Audio, and Tech
Powered by id Tech 8, The Dark Ages delivers some of the most detailed environments seen in the series to date. From torch-lit hallways to cathedral-sized battlements, destructible elements and dynamic lighting underscore the medieval atmosphere. On PC, ray tracing runs smoothly at 60 FPS by default, enhancing the gleam of gore and the shimmer of steel. Composer Finishing Move returns with a pounding score that meshes orchestral chants and industrial beats, ensuring every swing of the mace feels thunderous.
Performance Across Platforms
Despite the graphical fidelity, The Dark Ages maintains solid performance even on handheld hardware. In Steam Deck tests, load times and frame rates remain stable, with few concessions to maintain the game’s visual ambition. Consoles both PS5 and Xbox Series X/S deliver crisp 4K at 60 FPS, with performance modes offering 120 FPS for those chasing smoother responsiveness. Optimization is a clear win, giving players the freedom to choose visuals over raw speed—or vice versa without significant trade-offs.
Reception and Critique
Upon launch, Doom: The Dark Ages garnered “generally favorable” reviews (Metacritic) and reached 3 million players in its first week, underscoring its commercial success Critics lauded its bold combat adjustments: IGN’s Mitchell Saltzman praised the “weighty and powerful style of play” that “replaces mobility with sheer impact,” while Game Spot’s Alessandro Barbosa noted it “reinvents and reins in with equal measure,” honoring Doom’s roots while charting new territory. Some longtime fans, however, missed the series’ airborne acrobatics, finding the grounded approach a departure too far on occasion. Yet even detractors admit the meat-and-potatoes brutality—the lifeblood of Doom—remains as enthralling as ever.
Doom: The Dark Ages stands as a testament to id Software’s ability to innovate within a storied franchise. By dialing back aerial gymnastics and spotlighting medieval-style melee, it offers both a fresh spin and a hardcore thrill ride that veterans and newcomers can appreciate. Whether you’re drawn by the pound-for-pound combat, the gothic aesthetics, or the sheer catharsis of tearing demons limb from limb, The Dark Ages delivers a uniquely satisfying Doom experience—proof that even in the darkest eras, the Slayer’s fury shines brightest.
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