10th May 2026; 12:00 IST
DOOM: The Dark Ages launched on May 15, 2025, and it has now been a full year. The game scored well with critics—around an 86 on Metacritic—and sold strongly at launch. But how does it actually feel twelve months later, after the hype has settled and people have had time to sit with it?
I went back to it recently, and honestly, the combat still holds up as some of the best in the genre. The story, though? That is a different conversation.
The shield is the biggest change from DOOM Eternal, and it works beautifully. You can use it defensively to block incoming attacks or offensively to bash enemies and set up combos. It gives the combat a heavier, more grounded feel compared to the aerial chaos of Eternal. Some people prefer the older style, but Dark Ages makes a strong case for this approach.
The weapon variety is solid too. The medieval-themed tools—flails, spiked maces, crossbow launchers—feel satisfying and brutal. The set-piece moments, especially the dragon and mech segments, are genuinely impressive the first time through.
This is where most reviews agreed, and I still feel the same way. The narrative takes itself too seriously for a DOOM game. The cutscenes feel like they belong in a different franchise entirely—self-serious, humorless, and generic. Previous DOOM games worked because they understood the absurdity of the premise. Dark Ages tries to make you care about lore and character drama, and it just does not land.
The art direction also leans into a more muted, brownish palette compared to DOOM 2016 and Eternal. It fits the medieval setting, but it makes certain areas feel visually dull after a while.
At full price, it is a good game but not a must-buy. On sale—which it has been several times now—it is an easy recommendation if you enjoy fast-paced shooters. The campaign is around 15 hours, the combat is top-tier, and the performance on both PC and PS5 is smooth. Just do not go in expecting a memorable story.
DOOM: The Dark Ages is a game that nails the thing that matters most—how it feels to play—but stumbles on everything surrounding it. The combat alone makes it worth experiencing, especially if you can grab it at a discount. It is not the best DOOM game ever made, but it is absolutely a good one, and a year later, that still counts for something.
