90
DOOM: The Dark Ages is a fantastic new beginning for the prolific franchise. While the sound mixing is lackluster and the soundtrack fails to reach the same heights as previous entries, the narrative and gameplay makes up for it. The story is a thrilling blockbuster that will have you grinning and at the edge of your seat from beginning to end and the gameplay, while more grounded than DOOM Eternal, is extremely fun due to the great gunplay, new weapons, unique mech and dragon segments, open levels, and melee focus. Id Software have delivered once again, and I can't wait to see where the franchise goes next.
80
Id Software doesn’t shake up the formula flawlessly, but despite some shallow mech and dragon levels, they deliver another brutally fun shooter.
82
Doom: The Dark Ages will create division among fans. With a slower pace and the obligation to master the parrys, it's a game that if you like it can be very enjoyable, but if you are looking for another Doom Eternal you may find a barrier that prevents you from enjoying it. Musically we find the weakest delivery.
10
ENG
DOOM: The Dark Ages introduces shield parrying. At first I was like "okay, they're just jumping on the Sekiro bandwagon, it's a trend." But after playing it — I embrace it with love. It's not just a mechanic, it's the Slayer's evolution. He used to just obliterate everything in sight. Now he meets the attack, absorbs it, and only then strikes back. It adds rhythm, depth, and makes you feel like a true warrior, not just a blender. id Software proved once again how to evolve a classic without losing its soul. Optimization is smooth, gameplay is pure joy. Embrace it. RU В DOOM: The Dark Ages добавили парирование щитом. Сначала думал: "ну всё, погнали Sekiro в аду, дань моде". Но поиграл — и принял с любовью. Потому что это не просто кнопка, а эволюция Палача. Раньше он просто сносил всё с лица земли, а теперь встречает удар, гасит, и только потом отвечает. Это добавляет ритма, глубины и ощущения, что ты не просто мясорубка, а воин с характером. id Software снова показали, как развивать классику, не теряя корней. Оптимизация — огонь, геймплей — кайф. Принимайте и вы.
8
Come spesso succede con Doom, anche questo capitolo non delude. È un gioco molto divertente e ben fatto, con una grafica davvero bellissima. Le ambientazioni sono spettacolari e curate, e una delle cose più belle è proprio il fatto che si cambia spesso ambiente durante il gioco, rendendo l’esperienza sempre varia e interessante. Tra i punti di forza ci sono sicuramente il design dei nemici e dei mostri, tutti molto ben realizzati e visivamente impressionanti. Anche gli ambienti sono fatti molto bene e contribuiscono a creare un’atmosfera davvero affascinante. Il Doom Slayer poi è sempre iconico, e con il nuovo outfit riesce a risultare ancora più figo e imponente rispetto ai capitoli precedenti. Mi è piaciuto molto anche il fatto che, rispetto ai capitoli precedenti, il gioco riesce a immergerti ancora di più nella storia grazie alle cutscene, cioè ai filmati presenti durante il gioco, che sono molto ben fatti e aiutano a rendere l’esperienza più coinvolgente. La colonna sonora è sempre molto bella e accompagna bene l’azione, mentre il gameplay rimane solido e divertente. L’unica piccola pecca è che rispetto a Doom Eternal risulta un po’ meno frenetico e con leggermente meno azione, quindi a volte non dà quella sensazione di adrenalina continua che aveva il capitolo precedente. Rimane comunque un ottimo gioco, molto divertente e ben realizzato, anche se secondo me non raggiunge il livello di Doom Eternal.
6
Nothing special about this game, in my opinion. Gameplay graphics are mediocre, enemies look bad up close. Controls feel disconnected. I wish it was more enjoyable. Had higher hopes for it.
DOOM: The Dark Ages
Released On:
May 15, 2025
Metascore
Generally Favorable
83
User score
Generally Favorable
7.9
My Score
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
88% Positive
61 Reviews
61 Reviews
12% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
May 29, 2025
100
Once again, Doom delivers one of the most frenetic and satisfying FPS experiences around. The latest sequel turns the Slayer into a human tank, an unstoppable force against the demonic hordes, offering relentlessly challenging, non-stop action. id Software nails it with spectacular set-pieces and excellent level design in a fresh yet familiar evolution of the franchise.
May 9, 2025
92
The Doom Slayer returns in amazing fashion with riveting gameplay, exceptional variety and gorgeous design. It might just be the best iteration of Doom so far, even though some elements pull you out of the game's adrenaline-filled tempo.
User score
Generally Favorable
74% Positive
476 Ratings
476 Ratings
16% Mixed
103 Ratings
103 Ratings
10% Negative
62 Ratings
62 Ratings
Mar 15, 2026
10
ENG
DOOM: The Dark Ages introduces shield parrying. At first I was like "okay, they're just jumping on the Sekiro bandwagon, it's a trend." But after playing it — I embrace it with love. It's not just a mechanic, it's the Slayer's evolution. He used to just obliterate everything in sight. Now he meets the attack, absorbs it, and only then strikes back. It adds rhythm, depth, and makes you feel like a true warrior, not just a blender. id Software proved once again how to evolve a classic without losing its soul. Optimization is smooth, gameplay is pure joy. Embrace it. RU В DOOM: The Dark Ages добавили парирование щитом. Сначала думал: "ну всё, погнали Sekiro в аду, дань моде". Но поиграл — и принял с любовью. Потому что это не просто кнопка, а эволюция Палача. Раньше он просто сносил всё с лица земли, а теперь встречает удар, гасит, и только потом отвечает. Это добавляет ритма, глубины и ощущения, что ты не просто мясорубка, а воин с характером. id Software снова показали, как развивать классику, не теряя корней. Оптимизация — огонь, геймплей — кайф. Принимайте и вы.
Oct 10, 2025
10
This is the DOOM with gameplay closer to its origins. The weapons feel incredible powerful, devastating, torture machines. Some, like the Shredder, a mix between the OG Chaingun and Quake's Super Nailgun, are clearly reminiscent of the originals. The environments are vast, beautiful, and dark, very similar to those in DOOM 2016. The enemies are fantastic, grotesque, and utterly demonic. The feeling of power is absolute, even footsteps feel heavy, like a bipedal tank heavy yet fast. And as if that weren't enough, the experience is completely customizable for each Slayer type, giving you the option to make the game faster, slower, easier, or more challenging. This DOOM has become my favorite. It's a step back, but a step back to gameplay closer to the originals, and I loved that. And, as with every game, they add innovation, making it both nostalgic and fresh at the same time. Like the beautiful Shield Saw, the satisfying melee system that allows us to smash demons to pieces, the Glory Hits allow us to deliver a final blow that destroys our enemies and we can even see their bodies fly through the air with our devastating force, the dismemberment system is fascinating and finally the Ripatorium, our own playroom where we can destroy as many enemies as we want, as many times as we want, for as long as we want and with the soundtrack we want.
May 9, 2025
90
DOOM: The Dark Ages is the most well-executed entry in this long-respected franchise yet. Exceptional stage layouts, terrific implementations of player choice, and rewarding enemy design alongside the new shield and parry mechanics make this riveting FPS familiarly refreshing. Despite a few bumps in the road where spectacle overtakes ingenuity, DOOM: The Dark Ages is an undeniably must-play outing that can effortlessly appeal to prospective new and veteran returning DOOM fans.
May 9, 2025
85
At the same time that DOOM: The Dark Ages brings the series back to its roots, it also keeps innovating as the third part of the modern era of the franchise. It doesn't take a lot of risks, but adds a new combat dynamic with the shield, makes the story more impactful and delivers exactly what you'd expect of a DOOM experience. Even though it's a little bit slower and not so vertical as the last entries.
May 20, 2025
80
Doom: The Dark Ages is an experience entirely worthy of the saga's legacy, while introducing elements that boldly renew and reconfigure it. Although it is not a flawless game, especially with somewhat disappointing visuals on consoles, it is a solid offering. The pleasure of playing is constant, and the sense of reward that each battle brings is very intense. In the end, that's exactly what I look for in a video game: challenge, intensity, and pure satisfaction.
May 9, 2025
80
With DOOM The Dark Ages, the series takes a 180-degree turn, especially with a return to a less airborne, less frenetic DOOM compared to DOOM Eternal. The game might divide players who loved that ultra-fast FPS approach, but the developers at id Software wanted to shake up the formula. Those looking for a more grounded, back-to-basics experience will be pleased, especially since the gameplay centered around the shield-chainsaw, parries, and dodges offers a new dimension. There's less verticality and fewer aerial movements; this DOOM favors close combat but with the same brutality. While the sequences inside the large robot are fun, we're less fond of the dragon-riding sequences, which aren't always that engaging. Overall, we had a great time.
May 9, 2025
60
Above all else, Doom: The Dark Ages has utterly fantastic combat. Moment-to-moment action is among the best in series history. But ultimately, in a desire to expand on a winning formula, id Software has fallen short of the high bar it set with Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal.
Mar 3, 2026
10
This might be controversial but I think id software just keeps improving every time they make a doom game- which is crazy since doom 2016 was incredible and eternal was near perfect. I think the medieval setting was an unexpected but genius idea. Giving doom guy a pelt cape, morningstar, chainsaw shield and gun that grinds demon skulls into fragments and then shoots them through other demons was everything I never knew I wanted. 110/10!!!!
Feb 3, 2026
7
It is a mid game that gives good experience if u like the genre. But I couldnt stand playing after level 7 out of 22 levels. It was too much for me. Too fast
Jan 17, 2026
7
This game stay too much as old Doom games so it's basic old school shooting is little boring for today standards. But, in sea of really bador woke games last years this seems like pretty decent game!
Sep 28, 2025
4
Yo. Why would you change something that worked so well in eternal? The new glory kills are not only lackluster, but half the time they don’t work. Why can I not finish an enemy I just dumped all my ammo into? Click click click but half the time it doesn’t **** work. Stupid **** trash ass game devs brain dead as **** making mechanics that don’t work. Figure it out bro. Like how do you make a worse game than the previous? Eternal? Flawless. Dark Ages? Retrograde ****. Stop fixing **** that isn’t broken you **** idiots.
Jun 4, 2025
4
Pretty bland and boring Eternal and 2016 were way better! Story wasn’t interesting, shield got annoying and repetitive
SummaryAnnouncing DOOM: The Dark Ages, the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, and the third installment of the modern DOOM series. Developed by id Software on the latest idTech engine, DOOM: The Dark Ages is a single-player action FPS that tells the epic cinematic origin story of the DOOM Slayer's rage. You are... Read More
Rated Mfor Mature
Platforms:
- Xbox Series X
- PC
- PlayStation 5
Initial Release Date:May 15, 2025
Developer:
Publisher:





























