Doom: The Dark Ages is the third game in the modern series of Doom from the developer id Software. It started with Doom 2016, which was followed by Doom Eternal, and now we have this new game. Each one of the games brought something different, and that holds true for the latest game. It is a Doom Slayer in a new light and a brand new setting. It does things differently, which works in favor of the game. I wouldn’t call it one of the best in the new Doom games, but it is damn near that. It has its lows and highs, but at its core, it is a good old video game.
The game offers a good experience that delivers the good stuff. Stuff that you want from a Doom game. My expectations for the game were high, and I am glad to report that it did not disappoint. Of course, it does leave some stuff to be desired, but that is a small nitpick.
If you are coming at it and expect a Doom-like experience, then it absolutely delivers. The game looks good visually and feels cartoonish, which feels funny and serious at the same time. Think of it as reminiscent of the story campaigns from 2000s games. It brings us to the question: Is Doom: The Dark Ages worth it? Let’s find out.
Premise (Spoiler Free)
There is a full-fledged story in the game. During the Dark Ages, the Doom Slayer is used as a mere weapon to resist the armies of hell. The universe is sci-fi fantasy, and Doom Slayer behaves as he did in the previous games, blunt and grunting. He is a raging force that eliminates all who stand in his way. It’s the rest of the stuff that needs some time to get used to
Doom Eternal brought cut scenes and more advanced aliens. With Doom: The Dark Ages, they have taken to another level and there is a lot more to it. It has more narrative-driven stuff going on so keep that in mind. There are more characters and the story gives more background to what you are doing. Developers have put a lot of effort into the game and there are scenes that have a wow factor to them.
It does not have the element of creating mental connection which is usually the case with story-heavy games. Characters are not memorable other than the fact they look quite unique. The best moments are not that prevalent. When it clicks it is amazing and when it doesn’t then it doesn’t. It also depends on the player, so your experience might be different than mine.
Combat
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room, the combat because that’s what Doom: The Dark Ages is about. Sure, there is the story, but you are Doom Slayer slaying demons first and foremost. The basic gameplay is good and fun to engage in. The new Doom games have seen changes with each release. Doom 2016 was simple and intense. Eternal was fast-paced, and there were more complexities to it.
Doom: The Dark Ages is supposed to be a game with an aggressive and stand-your-ground nature. In reality, it seems like the first new Doom game with defensive features like blocking, throwing the shield, and stuff like that. Despite all these developments, it is still a Doom game in the end. You will still be taking down multiple enemies, swapping weapons on the go, and finding different ways to annihilate your enemies. You will still be dashing and sprinting consistently.
Still A Doom
It is still as sweaty and fast-paced as you remember the Doom games to be. It works best when played with a mouse and keyboard, like the previous games. Based on previews, there were expectations of a radically different game. Instead, we got a game that makes changes to the Doom formula while still not losing sight of the type of game it wants to be.
It has the simplicity of Doom 2016 and the complexity of Doom Eternal, making Doom: The Dark Ages a game that is in between the two. A lot of it has to do with the shields. You can throw it during puzzles, but you will mostly be throwing it at enemies, and it can be used for shield-bashing as well. The whole idea of Shield evolves as you play more of it. It can also be used to parry certain attacks, which opens them up for more damage, or they take damage when you parry.
Attacks
Enemies will throw different projectiles at you, which leads to a lot of ducking, dodging, and parrying attacks. These attacks might seem trivial in the beginning, but once tons of different enemies start attacking you, it can quickly become chaotic. At times, it seems like the Returnal on steroids.
There is also an emphasis on melee attacks. Based on the number of melee charges you have, you can use a melee combo that can even lead to the finisher. That sounds great, but it messes with the glory kills in Doom: The Dark Ages.
On one hand, it adds more flexibility, while on the other hand, it robs you of the amazing animations that you can do on every other enemy. Don’t get me wrong, there is still a lot of chaos, but the beloved old glory system is gone. Based on the gameplay, the changes make sense, which will be evident when you play the game.
Weapons
There are multiple melee options available to you. You can change from simple attacks with fists to others. Flail is one such weapon that is slower but does more damage. Some cool new weapons are also part of the game this time around. For the sake of not spoiling, I won’t get into the details of these weapons. Some of these weapons are really good, with good animation that makes them fun to use.
Some of the weapons are upgrades of the weapons you already have. You can change such weapons on the go. You won’t need to change weapons all the time because it acts like alt-fire mode, so you won’t need to constantly swap weapons.
Battles
There are new enemies and some amazing boss battles, which result in a chaotic combat system. Despite having fewer micromanaging things can get chaotic or even confusing, but still decent. The feedback of attacks, gore, and sound effects is quite good. There is even a decent amount of environmental destructiveness. The challenge that it offers makes it more fun.
All the while music will be playing which isn’t as memorable as the last two games but it is good. Music goes hand and hand with the vibe of the game but none of it is memorable. The music of Doom: The Dark Ages just does its job and doesn’t go beyond that.
Mech and Dragon
There are 22 chapters in Doom: The Dark Ages, and in some of them, you will be riding a dragon or piloting a mech. This kind of stuff sounds great, but practically, it is decent at best. Mech stuff fares a little better as you step around tanks and legions of demons, all while destroying buildings. It’s satisfying to experience that Pacific Rim vibe.
The mech combat leaves much to be desired. You have punches and dodges. Landing enough punches lets you unleash an ultimate attack. It can quickly become repetitive. Despite all its negatives, these sessions offer a break from on-foot combat. The general gameplay is so good that it makes the generic combat of the mech seem bad.
There are some amazing-looking sequences when it comes to dragon riding. It is easy to control as you dive and duck. The thing is that it mostly relies on locking on a target attack and dodging left and right to avoid their attacks. Successful dodges create charges that can then be used to shoot the enemy with a charged weapon. Such an approach does not work well and kills the whole idea of a free dragon rider.
I mean, what’s the point of a flying dragon if you are just going to stop mid-air and engage in a mini-game of dodging? Flying around and occasional chances make up for it to some extent. Landing and hopping back when done also feels good. Flying is fun, it could have been worse.
All of it could have been fine, but the on-foot combat is so good that the mech and dragon pale in comparison. Dragon and Mech’s sequences are good enough to break the pace. Just don’t expect game-changing stuff from it.
General Gameplay
Some of the missions are pretty big. As a Slayer, you will be running around on the open battlefield, and choosing your battles to fight on your own terms which can feel off at times, mainly because it hasn’t been done with the series. For the most part, it works.
I am thankful that it has not been shifted into a full-on open-world game. There is limited exploration; however, there was some wandering around in other Doom games, but Doom: The Dark Ages has more of it. All of the levels have hidden spots, secret areas, weapon skins, and optional stuff. Only certain levels feel really big and offer more exploration.
At its core, it is very much a Doom game that has not changed. You will be running around looking for health and armor while also looking for secrets, key cards, and stuff like that. You also need to find upgrades and currency has been added to the game.
Taking down more powerful enemies, results in some interesting combat sequences. Defeating such enemies grants character health upgrades. All the while, you are collecting gold and rubies as currency to spend on shrines to get upgrades. It includes the upgrades for the shield, melee, and weapons. Upgrades provide worthwhile upgrades and can make weapons more powerful.
All of these elements make the exploration feel more rewarding, which encourages you to explore off the beaten path.
Verdict (Is Doom: The Dark Ages Worth It?)
I am a big fan of the Doom series, and based on what you have read so far, you can guess that I like Doom: The Dark Ages. There are things that could have been done better, but considering the game in general, it provides a great experience. The gameplay provides enough incentive for a second playthrough on a higher difficulty. Doom has always been a combat-driven series, and that has not changed with this new entry.
Combat is the strongest suit of the game that will keep you coming back for more. Sure, Mech and Dragon parts could have been done better, but the overall combat more than makes up for it. Combat is fast and gritty, as we remember it to be. It improves upon a lot of aspects that were introduced in the last two Doom games.
If you are a new player approaching the new Doom series for the first time, then it is still a good experience. It is a good FPS at its core, and that’s what’s important. Despite having some lows, its highs outweigh them to a great degree. If you have already played the previous Doom game, then this one is a must-try.
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