Doom: The Dark Ages Review — id Software Takes the Slayer to the Dark Ages
Doom: The Dark Ages isn't just the next chapter — it's a complete reimagining. id Software took the iconic formula and placed it in a fantasy medieval setting, adding a shield-saw, mechanical dragon rides, and siege battles. The result is the studio's most ambitious and personal game to date.
Doom: The Dark Ages proves that Doom isn't nostalgia — it's a living genre with limitless potential.
Dark Fantasy as the Slayer's New Home
Set before Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal, the game takes place in a dark age when Hell's armies attacked a medieval civilization. The Slayer here is not a lone ghost warrior, but a key weapon wielded by the Sentinels. This creates a fundamentally different narrative with stakes, allies, and context.
Combat: Shield, Strike, Annihilate
The Shield-Saw is the headline addition — both a defensive tool and a weapon. Players can parry enemy attacks, throw it at foes, and use it to execute stunned enemies. The parry system adds rhythm to combat, turning each encounter into a dance of reactions and counters. Core Doom DNA remains: constant movement, glory kills for resources, aggression as the best defense.
Dragon and Siege Battles
Beyond ground levels, the game offers mechanical dragon flights and large-scale castle siege battles. These sections dramatically differ from classic Doom arenas — open spaces, aerial enemies, and fire-breathing mechanics. They make Dark Ages the most varied game in the series.
Verdict
Doom: The Dark Ages is id Software's best game since Doom Eternal — and by ambition, it surpasses it. A powerful, visually stunning, and gameplay-inventive adventure that proves Doom isn't nostalgia — it's a living genre with growth potential.