Doom: The Dark Ages review - Rip and tear and parry

Published: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 3:00 pm

Doom: The Dark Ages Review: A Visceral Return to Hell

Get ready to rip and tear your way through hordes of demons in *Doom: The Dark Ages*, the highly anticipated prequel to *Doom* (2016) and *Doom Eternal*. This action-packed first-person shooter puts you in the boots of the iconic Slayer, armed with an arsenal of devastating weapons and a brand-new shield mechanic that elevates the combat to new heights.

The review highlights the game's core strength: its visceral and satisfying combat loop. Players can expect intense melee encounters, strategic weapon swapping, and the thrilling use of the shield for both offense and defense. Parrying attacks, a key skill to master, staggers enemies, opening them up for brutal takedowns. The game encourages experimentation with its diverse weapon selection, each with two forms, allowing players to adapt to different enemy types.

*Doom: The Dark Ages* features expansive level design, encouraging players to explore and discover secrets. The review praises the integration of mechs, offering a refreshing change of pace from the Slayer's ground-based combat. However, the dragon sections are criticized for their clunky controls and lack of engaging gameplay.

While the story is present, it's easily skippable, allowing players to focus on the core action. The reviewer suggests that the game's focus on action over narrative is a welcome return to the series' roots.

Overall, *Doom: The Dark Ages* promises a thrilling and empowering experience for fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. With its robust combat systems, engaging level design, and the return of the Slayer's signature brutality, this game is shaping up to be a must-play title. The game is set to release on May 15, 2025.

Keywords: Doom: The Dark Ages, Doom, first-person shooter, FPS, Slayer, combat, shield, parry, weapons, demons, action game, review, id Software, release date, gameplay, melee combat, mech, dragon, prequel, Doom Eternal, Doom 2016

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