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DOOM: The Dark Ages

2025 · PC · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X|S · First-person shooter · Action · Arcade

84 /100

6 scored sources · 4 countries contributing scores

Review consensus

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a powerful, visually striking prequel that successfully reinvents the series around shield parries, brutal melee attacks, heavier movement, and enormous battlefields. Critics broadly praised its satisfying combat, inventive weapons, techno-medieval art direction, sound design, and refined technical performance. The main reservations concern its slower pace compared with DOOM Eternal, simplified exploration and puzzles, forgettable storytelling, and underwhelming mech and dragon sequences. It is an excellent choice for fans of DOOM, DOOM (2016), and action-heavy shooters who want a more grounded power fantasy, though Eternal devotees may prefer its faster mobility and greater combat complexity.

Limited geographic coverage. Treat this score as an early indication.

Last researched: 2026-09-10

Pros

  • Visceral, satisfying combat built around the Shield Saw, parries, and melee attacks
  • Excellent weapon design, monster encounters, and power-fantasy progression
  • Striking techno-medieval environments, monster designs, visuals, and audio
  • Large battlefields with rewarding exploration and collectibles

Cons

  • Slower and less mobile than DOOM Eternal, with less combat complexity
  • Mech and cyber-dragon sections are brief, shallow, or inconsistent
  • Story and supporting characters are largely forgettable
  • Some levels, secrets, puzzles, and encounters feel repetitive or overly simple

Review sources

12 sources found across 6 countries. This is not exhaustive worldwide coverage.

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