Doom: The Dark Ages the Honest Review

the early access game code was provided by Bethesda

Info Description

Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

Developer: id Software

Release Date: May 15, 2025

Platform: Game Pass, Xbox Series X | S, PC, PlayStation 5

Genre: First-Person Shooter

System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

RAM: 16GB
GPU: AMD or Nvidia ray tracing-capable GPU with 8GB dedicated VRAM or better
VRAM: 8GB or better
Storage: 100GB SSD

Recommended Requirements:

RAM: 32GB
GPU: AMD or Nvidia ray tracing-capable GPU with 10GB dedicated VRAM or better
VRAM: 10GB or better
Storage: 100GB SSD

Prices

DOOM: The Dark Ages (Regular Edition) - $69.99
DOOM: The Dark Ages (Premium Edition) - $99.99

Gameplay

If Doom Eternal was defined by speed, The Dark Ages is defined by momentum. It replaces balletic movement systems, air dashes, and double jumps, with something more primal, grounded, and, frankly, thunderous. Battles are no longer a dance, they now require you to charge headfirst. Still, do not get it wrong; this is a game of overwhelming dynamics. Fast-paced and brutal combat becomes even more gloriously chaotic with the addition of the Shield. Offense, defense, and crowd control all packed into one versatile piece. Shield parry mechanic is the newest one that allows you to repel projectiles or escape enemy attacks (it's for green shots, red shots you can only block). You can also use Chainsaw Shield to shred enemy defence or just stun big monsters. So, the Shield is a one-stop shop. When combined with the Slayer’s collection of reimagined classics, and newer additions like the Pulverizer or any other weapon, you gain boundless creativity that keeps you on your toes. The game does not feature any multiplayer or co-op modes, which may disappoint players looking for a shared or competitive experience. Its focus remains entirely on the single-player campaign, limiting replayability for some.

A Symphony of Destruction

Industrial bass lines sliced through with harsh Gregorian vocals and dark ambient backgrounds put more emphasis on the action at hand and it did not stop there. The action musical never seemed to possess it, pure rage. As I engaged in demolition, I felt akin to the Doom Slayer himself with every down-tuned string strum, emerging as a living weapon made of metal, fury, and vengeance. How many beams of darkness would allow you to turn down the volume just so that you could devour every peaceful note? And when I adjusted the volume and balance on other interfaces and went back to the arena filled with foes ready to battle? The combination sparked absolute chaos in the best possible way unlike carnival chaos and clean riots. Awarding the music with every chord tackled keeps your thoughts locked during gameplay. Unlocking the horrifying feelings as each shredded note hears, doom slaying becomes an endless pleasure.

Bigger Battles, Better Storytelling

This is also the most narrative-focused Doom yet, not that the Slayer suddenly talks or sheds a tear; the world around him does more of the heavy lifting. There are allies. Factions. Lore. Even political intrigue. It is not Shakespeare, but it matters. It enriches the world in meaningful ways, which is important, without interfering with the carnage. And as far as the carnage goes, the sheer scale of battles has been turned up to eleven. Massive open fields overflowing with hundreds of enemies, it's stunning insanity, chaos, but somehow remains discernable due to id Software’s genius encounter design. And more than that, everything from the molten castles to cosmic nightmares adds enough visual variety to ensure that each level is a completely new experience. And even though the mech combat and dragon-riding sequences are shallow, it’s the kind of over-the-top spectacle that only Doom can get away with and still do it with absolute flair.

Graphics and Visuals

As is evident, Doom: The Dark Ages is unique in that it combines sci-fi brutality with medieval horror. Its violet Art Direction even goes to gother citadels burnt in molten lava and Lovecraftian realms which overflow with grotesque structure and pulsing voids. Each one of the combat zones has its own distinctive details and is both grand and beautiful. In addition, there is plenty of range, secrets, and moving enemies that will change the way battles are fought. Cosmic Cacodemons and Pinkies - now mounted archers - complement the atrocities perfectly. Details have also been added to the iconic characters like Arachnotron and Mancubus which have previously been introduced to the medieval-meets-cosmic theme. Id Software has gone all out in the spectacle category. During many battles, the screen is full of dozens at times even hundreds of enemies simultaneously, which creates true chaos on the battlefield. This not only challenges your reflexes but your awareness of the battlefield along with it. And yet, thanks to excellent optimization and clean visual design, it never becomes noise. Visual separation of enemies and Effects are powerful, yet never cluttering, and the overall baffling ensures you'll always have the spatial knowledge of where the threat will attack from. The accompanying heavy metal music doesn't just serve to complement the graphics. It enhances them. It's one thing to feel the satisfaction of exploding an enemy into a crimson mist, guitar riffs blaring at the apex, but it's a whole different feeling to take the mantle of The Doom Slayer.

Slayer, Reforged

The Chainsaw is gone. In its place, there is a more brutal melee system that both augments your ammunition and dares you to get closer. Upgrades serve a purpose, riddles are worth pursuing, and weapons do not become obsolete due to a dual system that permits sister guns with shared ammo types, thanks to never-ending fall out. You are perpetually uncovering new reasons to rotate your arsenal, and not due to a game’s compulsive need to force compliance, but rather pure enjoyment. There is elegance in how The Dark Ages introduces new mechanics without overstimulating you. One level grants you a new shield power. The other one? Another melee finisher. Pacing is spot on, keeping things interesting until the end of its meaty 20+ hour campaign.

Doom: The Dark Ages isn’t just another sequel, it’s a resurrection. Heavier, darker, and more deliberate than Eternal. Generally, the game suffers from a lack of animations, particularly for the enormous Slayer robot. For some users, the play style can also get monotonous.