Doom: The Dark Ages Review — Slayer Heads to Medieval Hell and Rewrites the Rules
Doom: The Dark Ages is an unexpected pivot from a franchise many considered formulaic. id Software sent the Slayer to a medieval pandemonium and rethought every mechanic: this is not Eternal's chaotic death ballet — it's deliberate, weighty, brutal, with a shield, open exploration, and epic creature encounters. The result deserves attention, with caveats.
Doom: The Dark Ages is not Eternal 2. It's a different game — and that's precisely its strength.
Released May 15, 2026 as an Xbox Game Pass Day 1 title, Doom: The Dark Ages immediately sparked debate: creative courage or a step backward? After a week with the final game — here's our verdict.
Gameplay: Slower, Not Weaker
Dark Ages is noticeably slower than Eternal. The Slayer now carries a shield — an active tool for parrying and deflecting projectiles. Melee has been rethought: shield bashes, finishers, and melee combos form their own rhythm system, distinct from Eternal's fluid dance. Open levels replace enclosed arenas, enabling tactical movement, flanking, and exploration.
Mech and Dragon Segments
Two sections of the game — piloting a giant mech and flying a dragon — break from the core gameplay in ways that recall action-strategy games. Bold choices: some players are thrilled, others find them extended interruptions.
Narrative and Atmosphere
The story is the most developed in the franchise. id Software attempts a genuine Slayer origin story tied to the dark ages of pandemonium. Whether you find it compelling is subjective — the effort is unambiguous.
Soundtrack: The One Weak Link
The primary critical complaint: the soundtrack doesn't reach Mick Gordon's legendary heights from 2016 and Eternal. The metal is less aggressive and less iconic — a noticeable gap for a franchise where music was its own subgenre.
Technical Performance
Stable on PC and consoles. Steam reviews (89% Very Positive from 39,000+ reviews) confirm minimal post-launch technical issues.
Verdict
Doom: The Dark Ages is not Eternal 2. It's its own game — and that's both its strength and its polarizing quality. Those ready for a new rhythm will find one of 2026's best shooters. OpenCritic 86, Metacritic 84 reflect the consensus accurately: excellent, with caveats.