Title – DOOM: The Dark Ages
Platforms – PS5//Xbox Series X/PC
Release Date – May 25th, 2025
Developer – id Software
Publisher – Microsoft
MSRP – $69.99
ESRB – M for Mature
Purchase – Amazon
Disclaimer – DOOM: The Dark Ages was reviewed on the PS5 Pro and was 100% completed with a platinum trophy on Ultra Violence difficulty. Thanks to Microsoft & Bethesda for providing a digital review code. Gaming Instincts is an Amazon Affiliate and does gain financial benefits if you choose to purchase this product on this page.
Introduction
DOOM: The Dark Ages is the latest entry in the modern era of the iconic first-person shooter franchise that began in the 1990s. The reboot launched in 2016 and was widely praised and beloved by fans. This was followed by DOOM Eternal, which was also a major success. Now, five years later, we have DOOM: The Dark Ages. Is this latest installment another standout entry, or a brutal letdown? Do the new combat mechanics live up to the legendary DOOM name? And are the demons as fierce and memorable as ever, or does the entire game fall short compared to the last two entries? Let’s find out.
The Premise
As always, let’s begin by briefly touching on the storyline before diving into gameplay and everything else. Believe it or not, the team at id Software clearly cares about the universe and lore of the DOOM franchise, and I think that is excellent. DOOM: The Dark Ages serves as an official prequel to DOOM (2016), and throughout your demon-slaying rampage, you will uncover more about the Slayer—formerly known simply as the DOOM Guy—than you might expect.
I will not go into heavy spoilers here, since this is a review after all, but I will say that I was genuinely impressed with the way the narrative was presented. No, you are not getting Naughty Dog or Grand Theft Auto levels of storytelling, performance, or deep character development. However, for a franchise that has always been focused on fast-paced, visceral demon-slaying action, DOOM: The Dark Ages absolutely delivers in this department.
What stood out to me the most is just how much the developers genuinely care about the DOOM universe. They have introduced new layers of lore that we have never seen in a DOOM title before, incorporating Eldritch horror elements reminiscent of Bloodborne, Quake, and even World of Warcraft. Some of the levels you explore feel truly cosmic and alien, unlike anything previously seen in the series. It honestly feels like id Software is blending DOOM and Quake into a unified experience—and I think that is a very exciting direction.
The game takes place in a higher dimension known as Argent D’Nur, the homeworld of the Sentinels—a human-like warrior race similar to the people of Earth. Alongside them are the Maykr, a non-human, extra-dimensional hive-mind species that hail from the realm of Urdak.
The Maykr were first introduced in DOOM Eternal, but in The Dark Ages, they play a far more prominent role in the narrative. And in case you have not noticed yet, the overall vibe and tone of DOOM: The Dark Ages is completely different from the last two entries. This game leans into a more grounded, medieval techno-space aesthetic—blended with cosmic horror and, of course, Hell itself—and it works beautifully. With the story setup out of the way, let’s dive into the heart of the experience and, arguably, the most important part of this review: the gameplay.
Gameplay: A Return to Roots with a Twist
I am not entirely sure where to begin when describing the gameplay feel of DOOM: The Dark Ages, but let me just say this—it feels much closer to the classic DOOM titles from the 1990s, with a modern twist, rather than a continuation of the last two entries. Now, you might be wondering what exactly that means. After all, in every DOOM game, the basic formula is simple: aim at demons, pull the trigger, repeat. And yes, that is true to a degree, especially within the first-person shooter genre.
However, DOOM (2016) took a more methodical approach, with a slower pace and a strong focus on glory kill executions to keep the combat loop flowing. Then DOOM Eternal ramped up the speed and mobility significantly, incorporating platforming elements and requiring players to tactically strip enemies of their armor or body parts to disable certain abilities—again followed by glory kills to replenish health and ammo.
In contrast, DOOM: The Dark Ages feels completely different. Combat is much more grounded this time, and your new primary tool—the saw shield—is a game-changer. In my opinion, it is one of the best weapons I have ever used in a first-person shooter.
For most of the game, you will be fighting on flat terrain, reminiscent of classic DOOM, where you constantly dodge waves of incoming projectiles. In the old titles, you survived by strafing side to side and weaving through enemy fire—and that exact concept is alive and well here. The difference is that now you can use your shield to either block or parry enemy attacks. There is a specific rule set, though: green projectiles can be parried and sent back at enemies to deal damage, while orange projectiles must be blocked.
Later in the game, a third type—white projectiles—is introduced. These are more dangerous because they track your movement and home in on you, meaning they cannot be dodged (unless you are already far away) and must be blocked. Parrying a green projectile sends it flying back at the enemy for a satisfying counterattack. You can also throw your shield at enemies, which has a built-in chainsaw. This temporarily stuns enemies, opening a window for you to close in and deliver a devastating blast with your super shotgun or another weapon of your choice.
On top of that, the Slayer now has access to a melee system featuring full combo chains, upgrade paths, and runes to further deepen the combat. You can charge toward enemies with your shield, then unleash brutal melee combos using your gauntlet, mace, or the demonic mace that you acquire later in the game. Each melee weapon has its own strengths—some hit harder but have fewer available charges.
You can replenish those charges either by picking up melee ammo or by successfully parrying enemy attacks. I will admit, the system felt unusual at first, but after a level or two, it clicked. Once it does, the melee combat becomes smooth, intuitive, and incredibly fun. It is unlike anything the series has done before, and not only does it align perfectly with the lore, it also elevates the overall gameplay.
Throughout your demon-slaying journey, you will feel like a Spartan warrior in space—taking on grotesque creatures as a one-man army. The best way I can describe the Slayer in DOOM: The Dark Ages is this: imagine Leonidas from 300, but wearing a futuristic suit of armor and wielding a brutal shield, mowing down demons with unstoppable force. You are a walking tank, outnumbered but never outmatched.
Progression in this game is handled exceptionally well. Secrets are far more meaningful and rewarding than in previous titles. As you explore, you will come across hidden areas containing gold, rubies, and Wraithstones. These can be spent at demonic shrines to upgrade your ranged weapons, melee weapons, shield, and more. The levels are larger, more open, and significantly more intricate than before, filled with secrets that are cleverly tucked away.
I highly recommend not using any guides during your first playthrough. Discovering these hidden areas on your own is a fundamental part of the experience. Most of the upgrade currency is hidden behind exploration, which makes it feel like more than just a hunt for toys, codex entries, or weapon skins.
Of course, it would not be right to discuss gameplay without talking about the weapons. id Software has introduced a variety of brand new and exciting tools that have never appeared in a DOOM game before. While a few fan favorites return, such as the combat shotgun and the iconic super shotgun, there are also entirely new additions like the Chainshot and the Pulverizer.
There are twelve weapons in total, including the BFG. One of the more interesting changes is that many weapons can transform into alternate versions. In other words, you now have two weapons in one. For example, the combat shotgun can transform into the super shotgun by pressing the square button on the PS5 DualSense controller. Although this functionality exists early on, the Super Shotgun itself is not unlocked until later in the game.
This system significantly reduces the need to scroll through the weapon wheel and helps you stay focused on combat. It is a smart quality of life improvement. Another example is the Grenade Launcher, which can later become a Rocket Launcher. Both weapons share the same ammunition type but serve different purposes and are treated as separate tools in your arsenal.
To be clear, this is not just an alternate fire mode. The Grenade Launcher and Rocket Launcher are considered two distinct weapons, each with its own upgrade path and unique in-game currency requirements. The same applies to the Combat Shotgun and Super Shotgun, as well as the rest of the dual-function weapons. The best part is that every weapon feels distinct and useful, especially once upgraded. The Super Shotgun, for instance, is perfect for close-range encounters and is excellent for bringing down large, heavily armored demons quickly.
You can chain together a shield parry, follow up with the Super Shotgun, and finish with a melee combo to deal devastating damage to a single target. This type of approach works best against high-threat enemies, as opposed to weaker mobs like Imps or zombie soldiers, which pose very little danger.
If your target is surrounded by other enemies but you still want to focus damage on it while also thinning the crowd, the Chainshot is an excellent choice. This is a brand new weapon introduced in DOOM: The Dark Ages, and it originates from the Cosmic Realm. It is the first true Eldritch-style weapon in the DOOM franchise, which makes it stand out in a big way.
The Chainshot is incredibly fun to use. You charge it up and fire a heavy projectile attached to a chain, which deals strong single-target damage. Once upgraded, it becomes even more effective, triggering an explosive blast on impact that damages nearby enemies as well.At this point, it should be clear that everything id Software designed in the combat system has a purpose. The upgrade mechanics are thoughtfully implemented and work in harmony with the unique shield functionality and the expanded melee arsenal. You are never forced to stick with one weapon. In fact, the game constantly encourages you to switch things up.
If you try to rely solely on the Super Shotgun for the entire game, you are going to have a hard time. The new combat system ensures that the Super Shotgun is no longer as dominant as it was in previous entries. That said, it is still an excellent weapon and always will be. However, you now need to think more strategically and adapt in real time to deal with each encounter as effectively as possible. Personally, I really enjoy this change.
With the core combat system and weapons covered, it is time to talk about the two other major gameplay additions in DOOM: The Dark Ages. To shake up the familiar run and gun, arcade-style formula, id Software has introduced two massive features. The first is Atlan, a towering mech, and the second is Serrat, a cybernetic dragon.
In several levels, the Slayer gets to pilot a giant mech known as Atlan, a towering war machine built specifically to combat demons, particularly the massive Titans that stand as tall as skyscrapers. These segments only appear in a few missions, but they serve as a refreshing change of pace.
The gameplay during these moments is relatively simple. You walk through the battlefield and punch Titans to death using a basic melee combat system assigned to three buttons. R1 and R2 are used for attacking and filling your power meter, while L2 allows you to dodge incoming enemy attacks. If you time your dodges correctly, the meter charges more quickly, enabling you to unleash stronger follow-up strikes.
There are also sequences where Atlan is equipped with a ranged weapon, which significantly reduces the difficulty and makes the rest of the level feel effortless. I believe id Software’s intention was to create a power fantasy focused on piloting an overpowered mech, rather than presenting a challenge. If that was the goal, then they certainly succeeded. However, to be completely honest, I would have preferred a traditional level or something with more depth and gameplay in place of the Atlan segment.
On the other hand, there are missions where you control Serrat, a cybernetic dragon that carries you across battlefields while providing light combat capabilities. Personally, I found Serrat to be far more enjoyable than Atlan, mostly because his sections involve a bit of exploration. You can find hidden landing areas containing rubies, gold, and Wraithstones that can be used to upgrade your weapons.
Surprisingly, combat while riding Serrat is relatively limited. When it does happen, it is usually part of specific challenges, such as chasing down demonic airships. His abilities are mainly used to destroy tentacles, disable energy shields, or eliminate enemy turrets so that you can access hell ships or other sections of the map.
Serrat also features a dodge mechanic. If you dodge an incoming green projectile with perfect timing, your turret receives a temporary power boost. This enhancement allows you to deal more damage and break through enemy shields much faster. The overall gameplay loop here is straightforward. You fly through the area, avoid projectiles, shoot enemies, and eventually land to continue the mission on foot once you reach your objective.
In my opinion, Serrat had the potential to be more engaging and fun, but he ultimately feels underutilized. To be honest, I believe the game would have been stronger if Atlan had been removed altogether and Serrat had been given larger, more open-ended levels to shine. That being said, I do commend id Software for taking a creative risk and introducing something completely new to the series. As far as I know, no prior DOOM title has included any form of vehicle segment. The franchise has always kept you on foot, so it is genuinely refreshing to see the developers explore new ideas.
All I will say is this: Serrat might have worked even better if he were available to the player more frequently, perhaps as a consistent companion within a fully open world structure. That is not the case in DOOM: The Dark Ages, but it raises the question of whether an open world DOOM experience could be part of the franchise’s future. That is a discussion for another time.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed the gameplay of DOOM: The Dark Ages. The grounded combat, where you feel like an overwhelmingly powerful space-faring super soldier with the ferocity of a Spartan, is executed with precision. The larger, more open-ended levels that place a strong emphasis on exploration also elevate the overall experience, adding meaningful depth and variety.
I am not entirely opposed to either Atlan or Serrat, and to be fair, I believe both ideas served their intended purpose. Whether they remain part of the series moving forward will ultimately depend on how the fanbase responds. Regardless, credit must be given where it is due. id Software took a creative risk, and that deserves recognition.
With the gameplay and story portions now covered, let us move on to the overall presentation—including visuals, enemy design, and the soundtrack—before wrapping up with the final score.
Visuals, Enemies and Soundtrack
First, let us talk about the visuals in DOOM: The Dark Ages. As expected, the game looks fantastic. It runs on the latest version of id Software’s in-house engine, id Tech 8. For context, DOOM Eternal used id Tech 7, and DOOM (2016) ran on id Tech 6. A fun bit of history: DOOM 3, which was released in 2004, was powered by id Tech 4, while the original DOOM and DOOM II ran on the very first version of the engine, id Tech 1.
It is genuinely fascinating to see how far this engine has evolved over the years, and I am excited to see where id Tech takes us next as the DOOM franchise continues to grow.
As for the enemies, you will see the return of several fan favorites such as the Mancubus, Imps, and Pinky demons. This time, however, the Pinkies are ridden by mounted demons, which adds a cool twist to their behavior. There is also a new variation of the Cacodemon called the Hybrid Cacodemon. It resembles a creepy floating brain and honestly reminded me of something out of the Duke Nukem series—shoutout to anyone who remembers that from the 1990s. The Cyberdemon also makes a return, now featuring some new tricks of its own. On top of that, there are several brand-new enemy types that I will leave for you to discover.
That being said, my one criticism is the lack of additional Eldritch-style enemies. Considering that an entire set of levels is dedicated to the Cosmic Realm, I expected to see more horror-inspired creatures tied to that theme. It felt slightly underwhelming to be introduced to such a bizarre and otherworldly setting, only to find a limited variety of new monsters from it. Perhaps this was due to time constraints, or maybe those enemies are being saved for future downloadable content or the next installment in the series.
Do not expect a massive visual leap from DOOM Eternal to DOOM: The Dark Ages, and honestly, that is perfectly fine. This entry does introduce ray tracing, which improves reflections and lighting in noticeable ways. As with its predecessors, the game runs at a smooth sixty frames per second. I am not entirely certain what resolution the game was running at, but on the PlayStation 5 Pro, it did not quite look like native 4K. Strangely, I was also unable to find any additional performance settings in the main menu, which felt a bit unusual.
Despite all of that, the game presents a fantastic variety of environments and visual themes. The Cosmic Realm in particular stands out as one of the most visually unique settings ever featured in a DOOM title. The overall artistic direction is impressive, blending medieval elements with advanced space-age technology and hints of Eldritch horror. The result is a stunning and memorable visual experience. Major credit goes to the developers and the art team at id Software for crafting such a distinct and striking world.
Last but not least, let us talk about the soundtrack in DOOM: The Dark Ages. The modern era of DOOM is well known for its incredible metal soundtracks, originally composed by Mick Gordon. For those who have followed the franchise closely, you already know the story behind Bethesda’s falling out with him. To be completely honest, the music in The Dark Ages simply does not carry the same energy or intensity as the previous two entries.
That is not to say the soundtrack is bad. It is certainly competent and does its job, but it lacks the distinctive, memorable punch that made the music in DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal so iconic. And let us be real—everyone knows why that is. Mick Gordon’s presence is sorely missed, and no one has been able to capture the same magic he brought to the series.
Most of the soundtrack in DOOM: The Dark Ages comes across as generic heavy rock and metal. There are no standout tracks that left a lasting impression on me. Nothing even comes close to the adrenaline-pumping energy of “BFG Division” from DOOM (2016) or “Alternate” from the Exultia level in DOOM Eternal. The music feels consistent, but overly so, lacking the dynamic range and distinct musical identity that fans have come to expect from DOOM’s signature soundscape.
That said, the rest of the sound design is excellent. The classic audio cues from previous games are present, and the weapons still sound as powerful and satisfying as ever. It is just unfortunate that the soundtrack does not reach the high standard set by the earlier entries. While I do not want to downplay the efforts of the current composer, it is clear that Mick Gordon’s unique style is irreplaceable. Bethesda’s decision to part ways with him has left a noticeable gap in the overall audio experience.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, I had an absolute blast with DOOM: The Dark Ages. As someone who has been playing the series since the original game, I genuinely enjoyed this entry from beginning to end. The combat is fast, brutal, and layered, with the focus on melee attacks, shield mechanics, and the dual-weapon system adding a great deal of variety to every encounter.
The level design is excellent, and with twenty-two levels in total, there is a substantial amount of content here. It took me around twenty-five to thirty hours to complete the campaign on Ultra Violence, uncover every secret, and unlock all available upgrades. That said, keep in mind that I am a very experienced FPS player and have been playing shooters since the 1990s. Yes, I am an old-school gamer—but let us not dwell on that.
DOOM: The Dark Ages earns a final score of 9.0 out of 10. It is easily one of my top three games of 2025 so far, simply because I had a fantastic time playing it and completing everything it had to offer. That said, the game is not without its flaws. The absence of Mick Gordon is definitely noticeable, and the lack of additional Eldritch or Lovecraftian enemies—especially given the presence of the Cosmic Realm—felt like a missed opportunity.
The Atlan and Serrat segments are creative additions, but they feel more like experimental concepts than fully realized mechanics that blend seamlessly into the rest of the game’s design.
Overall, DOOM: The Dark Ages is a worthy addition to the franchise. I believe that both longtime fans and newcomers will find plenty to enjoy, whether it be the expanded lore, rich world-building, or fresh combat systems. If you loved ripping and tearing in DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, you will absolutely continue to enjoy doing so here.
The best way to summarize DOOM: The Dark Ages is that it lets you live out the ultimate fantasy of a testosterone-fueled, steroid-pumped gym bro who goes to space and slaughters demons—and nothing can stop him. There’s truly nothing else like it on the market right now, especially in today’s overly sanitized, pussy ass snowflake-infested gaming landscape. So thank you, Bethesda, for delivering the ultimate male power fantasy we all deserve.
