If DOOM Eternal was a demon-slaying rave on Mars, DOOM: The Dark Ages is a medieval metal concert held in a haunted castle with a mosh pit made entirely of skulls. And yes, you’re front and center, wielding a shield that hits like a truck and a flail so satisfying it should be illegal in at least 12 provinces. We couldn’t wait to play Doom: The Dark Ages, as it was also one of our most anticipated games of 2025
This prequel dares to ask: What if the Doom Slayer was a knight with anger management issues and access to blacksmiths who worship explosions? The answer is a gloriously brutal descent into the blood-soaked origins of rage, and somehow, it works beautifully.
The Combat:
The shotgun still sings. The glory kills are juicier than ever (seriously, someone call a plumber, there’s viscera everywhere). But The Dark Ages spices things up by making you feel like a medieval linebacker. The shield? It’s not just for blocking—it’s for blitzing. And the flail? It’s a yo-yo of death that makes you wonder why the 1200s didn’t have more physics-based weapons.
Combat is still that classic DOOM dance—fast, rhythmic, and aggressive. But this time, it feels like someone dropped a Slayer album on a Renaissance fair and lit everything on fire.
The Story:
Yes, there’s lore. And weirdly, it doesn’t suck! The game manages to weave in a surprisingly emotional arc, some ethereal gothic mystery, and a healthy amount of “He was born to rip and tear.” You’ll care. Then you’ll decapitate a six-eyed priest while riding a dragon. Balance.
Visuals & Sound:
Graphically, it’s brutiful. Picture stained glass windows shattered by your shotgun blast mid-battle, moonlit castles covered in gore, and hellish ruins that look straight out of a concept artist’s fever dream. The soundtrack? Heavy metal Gregorian chant meets war drums and chainsaws. It slaps, in every sense of the word.
Serious Bit:
This isn’t just a gimmick prequel—it’s a smart evolution. It respects its roots while forging ahead with new ideas. The pacing is tight, level design is peak DOOM (read: you’ll backtrack in style), and it feels like a genuine love letter to fans who always wondered what the Slayer looked like in plate armor.
Funny Bit:
You haven’t lived until you’ve parried a demon with a crucifix-shaped shield, shouted “Thou art toast!” and then set them on fire with a holy grenade. Medieval theology has never been this kinetic.
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