After years of high-tech demon slaying, a popular first-person shooting franchise takes a medieval turn in Doom: The Dark Ages (Bethesda Softworks and ID Software, Rated M, reviewed on PlayStation 5, $59.99).
The prequel delivers one of the most satisfying and brutal entries in recent memory, combining Doom’s signature fast-paced combat with a grim, atmospheric setting that feels both fresh and familiar.
A player assumes the role of the Doom Slayer during his early days as humanity’s premier hellspawn exterminator, battling the forces of Hell while aligned with the Night Sentinels of Argent D’Nur in a ferocious war that spans crumbling cathedrals, dragon-filled skies and titan-scale battlefields.
The story goes deep as evil forces led by Prince Ahzrak attempt to secure the Heart of Argent, a pendant-shaped artifact with rumored unlimited power. The Demon Slayer will face devastating horrors and journey into Hell itself to save humanity from complete annihilation.
Doom: The Dark Ages ditches the sci-fi gloss of Doom Eternal for something darker and grittier. From the first moment, a player can tell this is a different beast entirely. The HUD, or Heads-Up Display, is stripped down, the tone is unrelentingly brutal, and the atmosphere is immersed in iron, stone and blood.
The setting feels ripped from something between The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and a heavy metal album cover drawn by Frank Frazetta, with environments that range from bio-infested valleys to corrupted human strongholds, all leading to intense hack-and-slash battles and firefights against demonic hordes.
Visually, the demons look scarier and more grounded than their cartoon-like predecessors. The whole world feels raw and lived-in, with stone architecture replacing sterile corridors. Everything feels weathered and soaked in centuries of violence, a welcome departure from the pristine environments of recent entries.
The Dark Ages also fixes nearly every complaint about Doom Eternal. This game feels tighter, smarter and more satisfying — from map design to movement and mission flow. Sprinting and jumping replace the dash mechanic, and levels are more open and intuitive to explore. Players still get the signature green markers for guidance, but now with more room to breathe.
Combat remains frenetic and strategic, but with medieval modifications that enhance rather than complicate the formula.
The classic Blood Punch is replaced by a shield, parry and slam system, and melee combat flows through three-hit combinations that keep the action moving. Staggered enemies don’t always trigger flashy finishers — instead, they go down with powerful strikes that maintain the rhythm.
There are multiple weapon options, including the Rail Spike Shredder, Plasma Accelerator, Pulverizer and Nailer. The Shield Saw is especially twisted — players can literally throw it to slice enemies in half. All lead to creating diverse play mechanics, whether long-range shooting, close-quarters slashing or heavy artillery bombardment.
A new life sigil system replaces the old health pickups, and the game now gives players weapon mods directly, which upgrade over time.
No more juggling options or hunting for the right configuration. Upgrades are found at Celestial Shrines, where players spend gold, rubies and rare stones discovered throughout the world, connecting exploration directly to character progression.
Just when the medieval melee threatens to become repetitive, the game unleashes another layer to the action. These big cinematic moments — whether the player is climbing into huge mech suits to battle demon titans or soaring through the sky on the back of a dragon — break up the combat flow and add epic scale to the experience.
Everything from collectible lore entries to useful upgrade materials give players reasons to explore, usually offering additional backstory that enriches the dark fantasy atmosphere and explains the complex relationship between the various factions at war.
Doom: The Dark Ages is a worthy addition to the franchise, offering a brutal and atmospheric gameplay experience that captures the epic scale of medieval warfare while maintaining the series’ signature fast-paced, tactical attacks.
Longtime fans or newcomers to the series will get lost in the blood-soaked mayhem that hits like a warhammer to the noggin.
• Joseph Szadkowski can be reached at jszadkowski@washingtontimes.com.
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