Doom: The Dark Ages - PS5

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Release Date: 5-15-2025
Moby Score (1-10): 8.5
Genre(s): Action, 1st-person, Sci-fi / futuristic, Shooter, Fantasy, Horror, War, Behind view, Direct control, Medieval
Media Type(s): Physical

BECOME THE SLAYER IN A MEDIEVAL WAR AGAINST HELL DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells an epic cinematic story of the DOOM Slayer's rage. Players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell. REIGN IN HELL As the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw. Players will stand and fight on the demon-infested battlefields in the vicious, grounded combat the original DOOM is famous for. STAND AND FIGHT Experience an epic story of the DOOM Slayer's rage in this cinematic and action-packed story. Bound to serve as the super weapon of gods and kings, the DOOM Slayer fends off demon hordes as their leader seeks to destroy the Slayer and become the only one that is feared. Witness the creation of a legend as the Slayer takes on all of Hell and turns the tide of the war. DISCOVER UNKNOWN REALMS In his quest to crush the legions of Hell, the Slayer must take the fight to never-before-seen realms. Mystery, challenges, and rewards lurk in every shadow of ruined castles, epic battlefields, dark forests, ancient hellscapes, and worlds beyond. Armed with the viciously powerful Shield Saw, cut through a dark world of menace and secrets in id's largest and most expansive levels to date.

Doom: The Dark Ages is a first-person shooter and be the eighth mainline entry in the Doom franchise. It serves as a prequel to the events of Doom (2016). The game marks a stylistic and mechanical shift for the series, blending the franchise's hallmark combat with medieval-inspired aesthetics and grounded, tactical gameplay.

Unlike its immediate predecessors, Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, which emphasized fast-paced, acrobatic movement and an aggressive flow of combat driven by double jumps, dashes, and environmental mobility, Doom: The Dark Ages adopts a slower, more deliberate approach. Combat in this title is centered around the concept of the Doom Slayer as an "iron tank," relying on heavy weaponry, shield-based mechanics, and enhanced melee capabilities. The game introduces a new core mechanic in the form of the Shield Saw, which allows for parrying, blocking, and offensive attacks with a single input. This shield also plays a role in both traversal and puzzle-solving, interacting with heated enemy armor and environmental objects in explosive ways. The Doom Slayer's arsenal includes new weapons such as the Skull Crusher, a gun that fires bone fragments, and a variety of melee options including a flail, gauntlet, and iron mace.

The game places a renewed emphasis on narrative and world-building, expanding on the origins of the Doom Slayer and the lore of Argent D'Nur. Set during an ancient war between the Night Sentinels and the forces of Hell, the story features new characters including Kreed Maykr, Thira, and the antagonist Prince Ahzrak. Cutscenes and character-driven plot points are more prominent than in prior entries, offering a deeper exploration of motivations and internal conflict, particularly surrounding the Slayer's struggle with external control through a device known as the Tether.

Gameplay also features large, open-ended battlefields in contrast to the more confined arenas of previous titles. Enemies often spawn in formation or waves, encouraging strategic prioritization and varied approaches to combat. While the pace is more grounded, the intensity remains high. Tactical decision-making is reinforced through mechanics that reward precise timing and environmental awareness, such as executing parries to trigger area-of-effect reactions or managing cooldowns for melee attacks. There are also vehicle segments, including the piloting of a cybernetic dragon and a 30-story Atlan mech.

Melee combat plays a more prominent role than in earlier installments, with three distinct melee weapons each possessing unique abilities and upgrade paths. Despite the heavier tone and slower pacing, the game retains Doom's identity through its fluid weapon-switching system, lack of reloading, and emphasis on rhythmic, visceral combat. Classic elements such as keycard-based level progression and secret areas return.

Level design features expansive environments including corrupted churches, haunted forests, shipyards, and Hellish wastelands. These areas combine Doom's legacy of labyrinthine exploration with broader, almost battlefield-like layouts. Environmental interaction plays a larger role than before, with the shield used to manipulate terrain and mechanisms.

*** Data by MobyGames.com ***

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