2025 has been an extraordinary year for gaming so far, boasting a wide range of exciting titles. From epic RPGs like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to innovative indie projects such as Blue Prince, there’s plenty for gamers to explore and appreciate. However, the release of DOOM: The Dark Ages by Xbox and id Software might just become one of the top Game of the Year contenders. This prequel to DOOM 2016 and DOOM Eternal concludes the narrative trilogy while incorporating fresh gameplay mechanics and other enhancements.
As a devoted fan, I must say that the reviews for DOOM: The Dark Ages have been overwhelmingly favorable. Most critics seem to be thrilled by the game’s medieval setting as a prequel, finding it refreshing and appreciating how it portrays the Doom Slayer as a powerful juggernaut rather than a swift fighter jet. It seems that this installment offers the heaviest and most brutal combat of any DOOM game to date, with defensive features like parrying adding depth, and segments featuring colossal Atlan mechs and a mechanical dragon mount introducing exciting variations to the familiar gameplay style.
From a perspective of imagery and audio, The Dark Ages stands as an impressive achievement. It masterfully portrays its infernal settings, hordes of demons, and the brutal chaos of warfare, all done with stunning realism and immersive sound effects.
It’s worth noting that id Software’s latest release isn’t without its flaws, according to several critics. They find the new Atlan mech and dragon-riding segments don’t seem to fit in a DOOM game, potentially detracting from the main fast-paced shooting experience. Some players even suggest these slower combat sections feel heavy and unrefined. Additionally, the narrative and the metal soundtrack have received some negative feedback, though the latter to a lesser degree.
As an analyst, I had the opportunity to delve into DOOM: The Dark Ages personally, and I must say, my colleague Samuel Tolbert was spot-on with his 5/5 rating for this eagerly awaited shooter. In his words, “id Software demonstrates its knack for reimagining classics, revamping various gameplay elements, replacing intricate platforming with raw, on-the-ground combat, and offering the thrill of soaring on a dragon or trudging in a colossal mech.” He further added, “The narrative may be absurd, but it aligns perfectly with the larger-than-life essence of the Slayer’s battle against demons. It continues to be just as enjoyable to rip and tear as ever before.
For my preference, the deliberate and more substantial battle experience in The Dark Age appeals to me greatly, as I find DOOM 2016 and DOOM Eternal too quick for my liking. Additionally, my fascination lies with medieval and dark fantasy settings, making this game seem tailor-made for me. Once it’s released on May 14, I plan to dive in through Xbox Game Pass. Alternatively, you can grab the Steam version of the game at CDKeys for $64 or the Xbox one for $67 at the same site to save a couple of dollars on the full purchase.
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2025-05-09 20:38