🔥 Is the Fire Still Burning? DOOM: The Dark Ages and the Ultimate Hype Question!

When I heard that the DOOM series is coming back with a new entry — DOOM: The Dark Ages — my first feeling was excitement… followed quickly by a little worry. This is one of those legendary franchises that always delivered bloody, fast, and loud action since we were kids. And every new game tried to prove itself in its own way.

But after all these years, and it’s still going… does it still have something new to offer? Can it still make us bite our controllers from the intensity? Or has the fire gone cold? Let’s find out!

Story

If you’re expecting deep storytelling like in narrative-driven games, DOOM was never about that — and this part continues the same way. The story in The Dark Ages revolves around an ancient war between humans and demons, set in a world called Argent D’Nur. There’s one hero — you — and your mission is to stop Prince Ahzrak, the Hell prince leading an endless army of monsters.

There are side characters like King Novik and his council, but they’re more for background than emotional drama. There are more cinematic scenes than before, which is great — it gives you a sense of mission, of place, and the people you’re fighting for.

Still, the story is pretty shallow. It’s there, but not deep. No big surprises or dramatic turns. Everything is clear from the start. But honestly, the game doesn’t pretend to be anything else — it’s here for action, not drama.

Gameplay

Here’s where the game really sets itself apart. Forget about the double jumps and dash from DOOM Eternal — now you have a shield. Not just for defense, but as a weapon.

You can block hits, attack, or throw it like Captain America’s shield and have it return to you! It creates a whole new way of fighting — instead of running around, you can stand your ground, counterattack with full force, and feel like a human tank in hell.

Weapons are different too. A long-range rifle like a sniper, a bone-shooting pistol, and even a saw in shield form. Fewer firing modes, but each weapon feels unique — in weight, sound, and impact.

At first, the gameplay feels a bit heavy, especially if you’re used to speed. But as you adapt, you start to value every tool and every move.

If you love jumping and fast movement, Dark Ages might break your heart a bit. Movement is heavier, more grounded. Every step has weight, every jump feels like cracking the ground. No dashing or double-jumps here — but there’s power in every step.

Fast-paced players might feel it’s a step back, but I think it’s just a new direction. The game consciously chose to slow things down — and that gave combat more planning, more impact, and more brutality.

The game uses semi-open levels or hubs. You can explore, find secrets, challenges, and even side quests. It’s not strictly linear, which helps build the feeling of a real world, not just corridors.

That said, sometimes the levels feel too big for no reason. There are empty spaces and some secrets don’t take much effort to find. The freedom is nice, but a few areas could’ve used more polish.

Graphics

This isn’t the prettiest game of the year, but visually it matches the dark mood it’s aiming for. Everything looks rough, dim, and the lighting plays a huge role in building tension. No flashy colors, no shiny gloss — every corner feels dark and dangerous on purpose.

Monster designs are terrifying — not just weird shapes but nightmare-fuel designs. The weapons also look and sound like explosions, making you feel every trigger pull with force.

And the cinematic scenes deserve special mention. They’re not just decorative — they are part of the experience. Few cutscenes, but all are well-made. Great animation, clever camera work, and warlike fantasy framing.

Every cinematic moment serves the mood. Even when you’re not playing, it feels like you’re still in it. Nothing pulled me out — everything blended smoothly, with no filler.

Final Rating

9.5/10

DOOM: The Dark Ages doesn’t repeat the past, but it doesn’t forget its roots either. It’s a new kind of experience — slower, heavier, but full of power, blood, and a shield that crushes. If you’re ready to play differently and fight in a new way, you’ll love it. If not, you might feel lost. For me? It was a new… and very fun journey.