After more than 30 years, it's safe to say that id Software's DOOM franchise is a gaming institution. While the developer could probably rest on its laurels and still see some success, DOOM: The Dark Ages proves it is committed to continuously improving the DOOM experience. If you've experienced what DOOM really has to offer, think again. DOOM: The Dark Ages is not simply a fresh coat of paint on DOOM Eternal. The game's mechanics have been reworked to offer a completely new experience. However, the two games still have one thing in common: they are impossible to put down. Yes, I needed to complete DOOM: The Dark Ages to give it a comprehensive review, but I'm still playing it because it is easily one of the most fun I've had gaming in a long time.
More than most series, DOOM seems wholly committed to fun over anything else, and DOOM: The Dark Ages is no exception. Rarely do I find myself skipping cutscenes, but I couldn't help it in DOOM: The Dark Ages, not because the story is bad, but because I couldn't wait to jump back into the action. Whether you've played every game in the series or never touched DOOM, I urge you to try The Dark Ages.
DOOM: The Dark Ages blends new and old DOOM to create something fresh. There was a deliberate effort by id Software to infuse The Dark Ages with some features from classic DOOM games. This is most notable in the game's movement style, which keeps you more firmly rooted to the ground than DOOM 2016 or Eternal. However, that does not mean combat isn't still fast-paced and satisfying.
2025 has been off to a blistering start regarding day-one Xbox Game Pass releases, and DOOM: The Dark Ages is joined by two others in May. Despite being more grounded, DOOM: The Dark Ages' combat provides plenty of mobility. One of my favorite innovations is the shield charge, which closes the distance between you and enemies and delivers a devastating blow. If you shield charge into an enemy who is sufficiently weakened, you will transition instantly into an execution without the need for additional input. Not only is it incredibly satisfying, but it also keeps the action moving quickly and smoothly.
Enemies also shoot slower projectiles, which turn each battlefield into a maze you must navigate. Weaving in and out of enemies and their attacks is a key element to DOOM: The Dark Ages, and one that becomes incredibly rewarding once you've mastered it. Some projectiles can also be deflected back at enemies with the new shield mechanics, allowing you to turn obstacles into your own attacks.
DOOM: The Dark Ages delivers the most satisfying DOOM combat to date. It's hard to understate how satisfying DOOM: The Dark Ages' new melee and shield mechanics are. The shield is rarely just for hiding behind and is often used to provide extra mobility or parry attacks. It is also an effective weapon in its own right as you upgrade it. In the first level, the Doom Slayer occasionally throws his shield during Glory Kills to take out an enemy, and I found myself wishing I could do the same at will. As if the game read my mind, the instant you start the second level, you get a saw blade for your shield, allowing you to throw it as a deadly weapon. By the end of the game, I'd extended the shield range so far that it could cut paths through hordes of enemies.
The Dark Ages had a surprising host for its latest trailer, which could hint at more collaboration content that pairs well with DOOM's spirit. While the shield cuts through weaker enemies, turning the Doom Slayer into a brutal and gory version of Captain America, it stuns larger enemies. This allows you to pepper them with bullets while they're stunned, or focus on weaker enemies to give bigger threats your full attention later on. This wide range of utility with just a single weapon is emblematic of how deep DOOM: The Dark Ages' combat mechanics go.
Melee has also been completely reworked in DOOM: The Dark Ages, giving it the impact many players hoped for from DOOM Eternal's melee attack. You are restricted in the number of melee attacks you can do, but the power of your fist and flail make up for it. Melee delivers a devastating blow to enemies, and chaining together multiple hits allows you to take enemies out with powerful combos. You can also pick up additional melee attacks to reduce its cooldown. Several areas in the game intentionally give enough refills to tear through the room with just your fists or flail. The mace you get later in the game is so powerful that a single strike sends out splash damage that disintegrates weaker foes.
DOOM: The Dark Ages' progression is incredibly rewarding. The Doom Slayer feels increasingly powerful throughout the game. DOOM: The Dark Ages perfectly builds your arsenal as the game progresses, giving you time to master new weapons before delivering new ones. Each time I got my hands on a new weapon, it was so exciting I found myself wondering why I'd ever want to use something else. The answer was that each subsequent weapon was just as fun and offered as many strategic possibilities. As you progress through the game, fights naturally become more difficult. Enemies initially introduced as standalone bosses start showing up during regular fights, sometimes even in pairs. Taking down several of them at a time isn't just rewarding, but it also highlights how much you have progressed during your time in the game.
DOOM: The Dark Ages will also allow you to challenge yourself in a variety of ways. As you might expect, you can crank up the difficulty level and adjust the parry window. This forces you to be more precise while playing, and is a good way to see just how well you've mastered the game's mechanics.
DOOM: The Dark Ages perfectly balances its gameplay styles. The Dark Ages' new gameplay styles are fun but don't steal too much focus. DOOM: The Dark Ages splits its time between three distinct play modes. There are the typical DOOM sections where you're running around blasting demons, but some levels also have you piloting an Atlan or flying around on the back of a dragon equipped with a machine gun. Initially, I worried that these might be the metaphorical water levels of DOOM: The Dark Ages, but the game uses them sparingly, and balances their time in a way that keeps them fun.
While the DOOM franchise has expanded on its arsenal of weapons over the years, there's one combat area that's always been surprisingly lacking. Fist-fighting giant demons is obviously going to be a good time, but the mechanics of the Atlan suit are limited. However, DOOM: The Dark Ages rarely forces you to be in the suit for more than 10 minutes before you're back to its regular gameplay, allowing you to enjoy your time with the mechanic before it gets old. Dragon levels are even better, as you seamlessly transition between flying around on the dragon and hopping off to shoot some demons.
DOOM: The Dark Ages also does a good job of balancing how you spend your time during traditional levels. There are a lot of secrets to find if you like to explore, but the game doesn't punish you for skipping them. You can fully upgrade several weapons without spending an inordinate amount of time searching for secrets, so if you want to stick to the action, you can. However, there's plenty to discover for those who like to explore or do multiple playthroughs to find secrets.
It's hard to find any real complaints about DOOM: The Dark Ages. I'm eagerly awaiting the planned Campaign DLC, and in the meantime, will likely continue to search each level for secrets and try out each difficulty. The highest difficulty is a lot of fun for more experienced players, though you may want to get the hang of DOOM: The Dark Ages' new mechanics first. If I were forced to be nitpicky, I'd say that I didn't feel too invested in the game's story, but every cutscene is skippable so that it won't ruin your experience.
DOOM: The Dark Ages is the first modern DOOM game that's meant to draw in new players, and it's certainly intriguing me as a non-DOOM player. Although it has no bearing on my thoughts on the game, it's also worth mentioning that the Collector's Edition add-ons are awesome. Both the key card replica and the Doom Slayer statue are incredibly well-detailed and made from high-quality materials, and I don't see any major DOOM fan being disappointed by these additions. I was especially pleased to see the Doom Slayer's flail replica on an actual chain and can swing freely instead of being a hard plastic mold. If you enjoy fast-paced shooters and gameplay-heavy experiences, DOOM: The Dark Ages is right for you. The combat is satisfying, each weapon feels distinct, and the changes only serve to improve on what came before. Best of all, DOOM: The Dark Ages is a reminder that sometimes the best games care about being fun.
