Published 15:00 9 May 2025 GMT+1

DOOM: The Dark Ages review - Hell is where the heart is

Wage war against Hell!

Richard Breslin

DOOM was one of the most unexpected hits of 2016. Sure, I anticipated a good game, but it easily exceeded my expectations. Developer id Software then took everything that made the previous game so good and cranked it up an extra notch in 2020’s DOOM Eternal.

DOOM: The Dark Ages finds itself in the unique position of being a prequel to the series, exploring how the Slayer became the demigod that we now know him to be and the legendary role he played in the medieval war against the forces of evil from the Hell dimension. Despite being a prequel, DOOM: The Dark Ages continues to build upon what made the two previous games so popular, evolving the series for the better.

The DOOM series has always been known for its high-octane action and glorious gore, and that became a more prominent focus from 2016. While DOOM: The Dark Ages has all that, and then some, id Software has gone for a more cinematic approach here, making the game more narratively driven.

Check out the DOOM: The Dark Ages trailer below!

Storytelling in DOOM: The Dark Ages has mostly shifted from lore detailed in Codexes to epic cinematic cutscenes that feel somewhat inspired by the MCU. Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty of Codexes to discover hidden throughout each map, along with tons of other secrets, so purists won't miss out in that respect.

In terms of all-out FPS action and level design that continues to encourage exploration, which were key focuses of the previous two games, DOOM: The Dark Ages is an absolute treat as you slay hordes of enemies like a frantic maniac, topping up your kill count like a man on a one-way mission to hell. That being said, there is one unfortunate omission.

One of the franchise’s legacy gameplay features that I enjoyed most of all is the glory kills from DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal. It’s a very satisfying way to execute an enemy in the most gory and sometimes funniest way. Unfortunately, glory kills are not present in DOOM: The Dark Ages, and that took some getting used to.

At first, I was instinctively clicking the analogue stick to activate the glory kill to no avail. Instead of a glory kill, the Slayer finishes off the enemy with a more straight-to-the-point kick or punch to the face, often splattering them to bits. While I prefer the glory kills, the approach in DOOM: The Dark Ages at the very least helps to maintain the fast-paced, bullet-hell inspired action.

Bethesda Softworks

To aid his more direct execution, the Slayer is armed with a powerful gauntlet, which can be upgraded, and is great for punching demons in the face. However, the new star of the show is the Slayer's Shield Saw. Think Captain America’s shield with a chainsaw around the edge, and you’re on the right track.

The Shield Saw can not only be used to defend against oncoming enemy fire, but you can also throw it into the chest of an enemy, stunning them for a brief time while you take out accompanying grunts. The Shield Saw will also function as a tool for solving puzzles and accessing hard-to-reach areas. But most importantly, it’s a great weapon to aid the flow of the gameplay.

Most enemy projectiles will be red, and these can only be blocked by your shield or dodged. Yet, when a green projectile comes your way, you can deflect this back to the enemy to deal extra damage using the Shield Saw. Before you know it, despite DOOM: The Dark Ages lacking some rhythm with its heavy metal soundtrack, combat will be flowing as you take on enemies and projectiles from all angles. This aspect gave me vibes of Returnal, and when that arena is clear of enemies, it provided a great deal of satisfaction.

Another new weapon to join the Slayer’s arsenal is the Flail, which, in layman's terms, is a spiked ball on the end of a chain. This weapon is brutal and oh-so satisfying to smash in an enemy's face, and like the Gauntlet and Shield Saw, can be upgraded. You can only use the Flail a few times before it needs a quick recharge to avoid it being spammed, but it’s a weapon that I have no doubt will provide a lot of joy to many.

Bethesda Softworks

Of course, it wouldn't be a DOOM game without the Slayer’s trusty firearms and DOOM: The Dark Ages is no exception. Fan favourites such as the Super Shotgun and more return, but we've now got some new additions such as the Pulveriser. I don't want to spoil much when it comes to the new weapons of DOOM: The Dark Ages but I will say that the Pulveriser is one of my favourites, which is not only great for clearing out hordes of enemies with its widespread onslaught, but the fact that it’s ammo is bone shards is next-level epic.

Some of the other best moments in the game come from piloting an Atlan titan and a dragon. We’ve only previously seen Atlan debris in DOOM Eternal, but with DOOM: The Dark Ages being a prequel, we finally get a chance to take control of a 380-plus-foot mechanical goliath, which sees you going toe-to-toe with a demonic Titan.

As for the dragon, the flying feels a lot more fluid than what I experienced in my hands-on preview with DOOM: The Dark Ages a couple of months ago. Much like the Atlan sections, the dragon moments are short-lived, which is probably for the best. They are fun, as you take down large enemy ships and breathe fire down the neck of a Titan, but they are used sparingly so as not to overstay their welcome.

It’d be remiss if I were not to mention the quality of life improvements made in DOOM: The Dark Ages. In DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, the Slayers' speed and movement were limited in the sense of not being able to accelerate his speed with a click of the analogue stick, a standard feature in other FPS franchises such as Call of Duty and Battlefield. Now, that standard feature is present, and by clicking the analogue stick, the Slayer’s speed will go into overdrive, allowing him to charge at enemy grunts like an enraged bull.

Bethesda Softworks

It’s also great being able to finally jump over large gaps with ease, something that I felt was a basic feature missing in the previous two games. What's more, you no longer have to awkwardly click the analogue stick or press circle/square to cling onto surfaces to climb vertically. Depending on the surface, the Slayer will cling to them automatically. Both of these subtle but much-needed improvements are very much welcome.

While some might not be too keen on the cinematic presentation of DOOM: The Dark Ages, I find it to be a welcome evolution for the series. It makes the stakes of the story feel more important, aided by the fantastic performances by the cast. It may feel like an oversight not having glory kills but at the end of the day, whether you prefer that or not is down to personal preference. The inclusion of the new Shield Saw and the Flail, at least for me, help make up for that exclusion.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is an action-packed, cinematic, glorious delight, and with the bonus of it being a prequel, it could be an ideal entry point for those new to the series. Depending on how 2025 continues to play out, it wouldn't surprise me if DOOM: The Dark Ages is a topic of hot discussion as a Game of the Year contender.

Pros: High octane gameplay, Shield Saw is a buzz, cinematic presentation

Cons: No glory kills

For fans of: DOOM (2016), DOOM Eternal, bullet-hell shooters