Doom: The Dark Ages is a prequel that takes the franchise in a surprising direction. Gone is the frenetic, momentum-based combat of Doom Eternal, replaced by a weightier, more grounded system that emphasizes shield parries, counter-attacks, and deliberate positioning. It is a bold pivot that mostly pays off.
The Doom Slayer feels like a medieval tank in the best possible way. The new shield mechanic is the star of the show — perfectly timing a parry sends projectiles back at enemies with devastating effect, and chaining parries into melee combos creates a satisfying rhythm that feels distinctly different from previous entries.
The campaign spans 15 chapters across varied environments, from hellish castle sieges to dragon-mounted aerial battles. Yes, you ride a dragon, and yes, it is exactly as glorious as it sounds. The mech sections, while impressive visually, feel slightly undercooked compared to the on-foot combat.
id Tech 8 delivers stunning visuals with remarkably consistent performance. The game targets 60fps on current-gen consoles and rarely dips, even during the most chaotic encounters. PC players with ray tracing hardware will find some of the best RT reflections in any game to date.
The Dark Ages is not the adrenaline overdose that Doom Eternal was, and some fans may miss that purity of speed. But as a standalone experience, it is a confidently crafted action game that proves the franchise can evolve without losing its identity.
