Doom: The Dark Ages Review – The Old One

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The Dark Ages” doesn’t go back to basics, but rather finds a balance by re-creating an immersive power fantasy with easy-to-grasp mechanics that take the combat in new directions for the series.

In this new game, Doom: The Dark Ages, you are always armed with a shield that allows you to counter enemy attacks and absorb incoming damage. This versatile tool not only protects you but can also redirect damage at opportune moments. As such, you’re capable of engaging in hand-to-hand combat with significantly more enemies than previously. Interestingly, even though this game is known for its aggressive offense, the shield serves a dual purpose – it’s not just for defense, it’s a weapon itself. When not using it to decapitate demons or shatter their armor with its chainsaw edges, you can use it to bounce between enemies, close distances quickly, or break through super-heated armor with your gunfire. The shield also functions as a means of propulsion across larger battlefields, with the ability to lock onto distant targets and launch towards them for devastating effect. It’s surprising that such a defensive addition is the biggest change in a series known for its diverse weaponry, but the variety it brings to the gameplay makes it an addition that will be hard to leave behind.

In the new game, while you’ll still need to strategize on how to handle the demons for maintaining your health and ammo supplies, it’s less critical compared to Doom Eternal. Instead, there’s more emphasis on creating a rhythm by balancing parries with melee attacks. You get powerful attacks that you can repeatedly use with your fists or other melee weapons, which are tied to refresh timers that can be shortened by successfully parrying incoming attacks. It’s incredibly rewarding to charge towards a massive demon with a shield bash, parry a series of attacks, and then counter-attack in their stunned state. Each successful parry and subsequent powerful counter-strike momentarily pauses the action, highlighting the impact of your actions, making each fight feel intense yet satisfying, an experience that never grows old.

In this latest installment, the power behind your attacks is emphasized by the substantial physicality of the Doom Slayer. This unyielding force has consistently appeared as an indomitable killing machine, but The Dark Ages accentuates this by demonstrating the immense impact you have on the battlefield. Every leap from a precipice sends out a deafening thud, scattering nearby foes into fragments in a dramatic portrayal of a superhero landing. Making such a grand entrance at the start of a larger battle is incredibly gratifying, with the enemy forces seemingly trembling in dread before you. However, this increased presence also affects movement, as you no longer have the option for a double jump or air dash, encouraging strategic decision-making and standing your ground until the fight is over. Despite this, The Dark Ages remains fast-paced, preserving the original’s essence of swiftly eliminating enemies and rapidly shifting your aim to take down the next. While there may be a slight adjustment period due to the slower pace compared to Eternal, the combat mechanics are finely tuned for the new tools you’ll encounter in battle.

In “Doom: The Dark Ages,” the initial phases may seem disjointed as various changes take time to become familiar, causing an uneven experience during the first hour or so. The game gradually introduces new mechanics at a steady pace, but this is interrupted frequently by tutorial interruptions that pause the action. It takes some time for your newly acquired abilities to work harmoniously, but this harmony truly shines once you’ve upgraded your weapons, allowing them to work together in powerful ways. Despite the rocky start, the eventual reward – effortlessly defeating enemies that previously posed a challenge – is satisfying, as it highlights the growth of your abilities and equipment throughout the game.

In Doom: The Dark Ages, instead of abandoning its traditional roots, it embraces its recent fascination with close-combat, while also incorporating a diverse range of weapons that revisit classic items and tweak some essentials for a more fitting medieval touch. The thrill of obliterating demons up-close with the refurbished Super Shotgun remains unmatched, but I found myself drawn to the innovative new additions for their blend of enjoyment and utility. One of my preferred weapons is a gun resembling a railgun that fires a chain-attached cannonball, causing massive destruction against armored adversaries. Another weapon mimics a skull-devouring machine that ejects bullets made from bones, functioning like a rapid-fire gatling gun perfect for managing swarms of demons. The weapons in Doom: The Dark Ages are influenced by the medieval setting you’re in, altering their behavior just enough to make using them feel refreshing and exhilarating once more.

One method for immersing yourself in The Dark Ages is by providing expansive, free-roaming environments to traverse. These central areas offer various tasks and mysteries to unravel, allowing you to determine the sequence and speed at which you wish to approach them. This gives a sense of continuity with the secret-filled yet linear levels of both the 2016 reboot and Eternal, but with even more discoveries to make and hidden elements to find. Many of the standout moments can be found in the new Cosmic Realm, an original setting for Doom that leverages its Lovecraftian influences to create engaging side content. None of these hubs feel excessively large or empty, as they are always teeming with demons for you to engage in intense battles with. They also maintain a good balance, incorporating more linear sections to navigate through, ensuring the extensive 22-chapter campaign stays fresh and varied.

In the Dark Ages, deviating from its solid foundations weakens it. Amidst the blend of linear and expansive levels, there are a few moments where you either control a massive mech for climactic monster-like battles, or navigate a vast battlefield on the back of an armored dragon with energy wings. Although these introductions are impactful, they lack complexity in their action. Each instance, whether it’s piloting the mech or riding the dragon, essentially involves seeking out enemies and engaging in slow, drawn-out fights where you take turns exchanging blows during strategic dodges. These confrontations seem out of place compared to the skillfully balanced ground combat, leaving you yearning to return to that.

In a similar vein, Doom: The Dark Ages falls short when it comes to crafting an engaging narrative with its focus on cinematic storytelling. While it’s less confusing now as characters are introduced and events unfold before you instead of through codex entries like in previous games, the narrative lacks depth beyond the initial war and its conclusion. This narrative tone is markedly different from the 2016 reboot and closer to Eternal’s seriousness, failing to answer many questions about the Slayer and his significance in this conflict that are initially posed. However, there are notable moments where creative liberties are taken with the Slayer character, which fortunately avoid tying larger mythos to a character primarily serving as a vessel for the game’s violence. Instead, these moments reference some of the best parts of the reboot and should bring a smile to players’ faces.

In a surprising twist, Doom: The Dark Ages effectively balances certain modifications introduced in Doom Eternal while forging an entirely fresh path for the series. The focus here is on melee combat that seamlessly blends with the fast-paced action of classic Doom, ensuring each successfully parried and countered attack feels as thrilling as the first. This well-crafted journey offers the power fantasy of demolishing countless demons without sacrificing the intricate depth that keeps each battle captivating. While it may occasionally deviate too far from the core principles, Doom: The Dark Ages demonstrates that there’s still plenty of unexplored territory for this franchise to delve into, and sometimes strategic adjustments can lead to remarkable new experiences and some of its most memorable moments.

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2025-05-09 18:16