Doom: The Dark Ages Review
How dare they kill his rabbit!
You know a game is doing something right when you finish a level, set the controller down, and think: “I’m pretty sure I just committed several demonic war crimes… and it was awesome.” That’s DOOM: The Dark Ages in a nutshell — a gloriously unhinged fusion of heavy‑metal fantasy, sci‑fi brutality, and the kind of kinetic combat that makes your pulse feel like it’s trying to punch its way out of your ribcage.
A Medieval Hellscape Worth Vacationing In
Set centuries before DOOM (2016), this prequel drops the Slayer into a grimdark medieval war against Hell itself. Think cathedrals the size of mountains, armor forged from pure rage, and demons who look like they were designed by a blacksmith who listens exclusively to death metal.
The world is drenched in atmosphere — not the brooding, moody kind, but the “everything is on fire and screaming” kind. It’s gorgeous.
Combat: Still DOOM, But With More… Everything
The idTech engine is doing some serious heavy lifting here. Combat is fast, crunchy, and absurdly satisfying. You’re not just shooting demons — you’re dominating them with a medieval arsenal that feels like it was engineered by a madman with a PhD in Violence.
Highlights include:
A shield that doubles as a buzzsaw
A flail that turns demons into airborne confetti
Siege weapons you can personally operate because subtlety is for cowards
It’s all the fluid, rhythmic combat DOOM is known for, but with a brutal medieval twist.
Story: Surprisingly Epic
The game leans into the Slayer’s mythos with a cinematic story that feels appropriately operatic. It’s still DOOM — nobody’s giving Shakespearean monologues — but the lore is richer, the stakes are massive, and the cutscenes are pure spectacle.
Verdict: A Hellishly Good Time
DOOM: The Dark Ages is a triumphant prequel — bold, stylish, and unapologetically intense. It’s DOOM with a medieval makeover, and somehow that makes it even more feral. If you want a game that makes you feel like a mythic war god with anger management issues, this is your new obsession.