Game Information
Game Title: DOOM: The Dark Ages
Platforms:
- Xbox Series X/S (May 15, 2025)
- PlayStation 5 (May 15, 2025)
- PC (May 15, 2025)
Trailer:
Developer: id Software
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Review Aggregator:
OpenCritic - 86 average - 95% recommended - 79 reviews
Critic Reviews
But Why Tho? - Kate Sanchez - 8.5 / 10
DOOM The Dark Ages is aggressive as hell, loud, fast, and all the fun you want. Sometimes you just need to pick up a shotgun, a flail, and a saw-bladed shield and rip through baddies. To put it simply, DOOM The Dark Ages is rewarding. The gameplay matters and ultimately makes up for any weaknesses in the story.
CNET - Oscar Gonzalez - Unscored
All the new additions id Software introduced in Doom: The Dark Ages are welcome changes to keep a franchise that's been around for more than three decades feeling fresh. I still can't shake the feeling that something's missing, though. It just doesn't have the same pull as the last two Doom games.
Checkpoint Gaming - Omi Koulas - 9 / 10
DOOM: The Dark Ages swaps out space-age speed for steel-shod fury, and it works wonders. This isn't just a prequel, but a ballad sung in blood and fire where every flail swing and shield parry feels like gospel. Sure, the dragon rides and giant Atlan mech missions are very weak, and you might need the horsepower of a car to run it at maximum settings on PC, but when most of the time you're shredding armies of Hellspawn with a gun that grinds skulls for ammo, who cares? This is the Slayer in his knightly prime. Long live the king of ripping and tearing.
Cinelinx - Caleb Gayle - 5 / 5
DOOM: The Dark Ages is a remarkable addition to the DOOM franchise, showcasing an impressive evolution in gameplay and storytelling.
Console Creatures - Bobby Pashalidis - 9 / 10
Doom: The Dark Ages is much more focused than its predecessors and fun because id Software's ability to continually refine the Doom formula.
Dexerto - Brad Norton - 3 / 5
The Dark Ages has some of the best combat in Doom history, but dull new features make it the weakest of the modern Doom games.
Digital Spy - Joe Draper - 4 / 5
We're unsure if the game's additions are enough to compensate for what's been lost from Doom Eternal, but the foundation of slaying hordes of demons in visceral and bloody battles remains as fun as ever.
DualShockers - Scott Baird - 8 / 10
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Entertainment Geekly - Luis Alvaro - 4 / 5
Doom: The Dark Ages trades speed for savagery and rockets for ruin… but make no mistake, the heart of Doom still beats beneath the chainmail.
Eurogamer - Christian Donlan - 4 / 5
Here's a more grounded Doom, but one that's as brisk and playful as ever.
Game8 - Aaron Bacabac - 88 / 100
Despite what its title may suggest, DOOM: The Dark Ages plays more like a brutal renaissance for DOOM, trading the aerial flair of DOOM (2016) and Eternal for a grittier, boots-on-the-ground combat loop. With a mech, a dragon, a darker story, and a crusade-sized campaign, it's everything you'd want to sink your chainsaw shield into.
GameSpot - Alessandro Barbosa - 8 / 10
Doom: The Dark Ages reinvents and reigns in with equal measure, taking the series in a bold new direction without straying from its captivating roots.
Gamepressure - Dariusz Matusiak - 8 / 10
Doom: The Dark Ages is a great game, a fantastic demon slaughter festival, but not exactly the best Doom. There's too much plot, dialogue, side characters, cut-scenes, too much trying to make this campaign feel like Halo and Call of Duty. On the other hand, such an approach may appeal more to people who are unfamiliar with the beginnings of the series, not emotionally attached to the franchise since the 90s.
Gamer Guides - Patrick Dane - 88 / 100
In lesser hands, The Dark Ages would be fun but forgettable. In Id’s hands, this is a deep action experience solely focused on a relentless, but brilliantly controlled flow state. It’s a game that takes the simplest, yet coolest ideas and commits completely to them with peerless execution, making sure above else, it’s sick as hell.
Gamer Social Club - Dan Jackson - 9 / 10
As someone who wants story in my single player games, Doom: The Dark Ages delivered in a way previous Doom games never did while keeping the core fans happy with the crisp, varied gun play. Doom: The Dark Ages is a must play for fans and is a great place to start for newcomers.
Gamers Heroes - Blaine Smith - 95 / 100
DOOM: The Dark Ages is the most badass DOOM has ever been, featuring a killer soundtrack, first-person melee combat better than it has any right to be, and the most intriguing version of The Doom Slayer we’ve ever seen.
GamesRadar+ - Joel Franey - 3.5 / 5
"Glory Kills have been tossed out, which doesn't help with Doomguy's apparent loss of moxie – now he can't even be bothered to beat a demon to death with its own leg anymore!"
Gaming Instincts - Leonid Melikhov - 9 / 10
The best way to summarize DOOM: The Dark Ages is that it lets you live out the ultimate fantasy of a testosterone-fueled, steroid-pumped gym bro who goes to space and slaughters demons—and nothing can stop him. There’s truly nothing else like it on the market right now, especially in today’s overly sanitized, pussy ass snowflake-infested gaming landscape. So thank you, Bethesda, for delivering the ultimate male power fantasy we all deserve.
GamingBolt - Shubhankar Parijat - 9 / 10
With stellar combat, incredible weapons, hellish monsters to fight, and excellently implemented gameplay and design changes, DOOM: The Dark Ages delivers an excellent new style of DOOM, while still retaining the series' core strengths.
Hardcore Gamer - Parker Green - 5 / 5
Doom: The Dark Ages is AAA gaming at its best, with huge set pieces and memorable moments around every corner of the beautiful environments that only add to the highly-polished and heavily-addicting gameplay.
Impulsegamer - 4.8 / 5
DOOM: The Dark Ages is a masterclass of FPS gameplay and design. It would have been very easy for id to just make 'Eternal but more' for any sequel, instead choosing to completely mix up the formula and create a totally new experience that still manages to feel like DOOM. Its combat is incredibly rewarding to master and has a layer of depth not often seen in first-person shooters, and quite possibly may have become my favourite of the three games.
Kakuchopurei - Lewis Larcombe - 90 / 100
Sure, there are some nitpicks, such as the dragon feature being underutilised, but nothing [in Doom: The Dark Ages] ever really pulls you out of the experience. What’s left? A strange, almost reverent love for a game that’s raw, ridiculous, and unnecessarily metal. And I loved every second of it. If this is hell, I’m not just walking in—I’m speed-boosting with a maxed-out Combat Shotgun and Finishing Move blaring at full volume.
Kotaku - Zack Zwiezen - Unscored
Id Software's prequel is a big, heavy metal adventure with a few too many cutscenes
Loot Level Chill - Mick Fraser - 9.5 / 10
In all the ways that matter, Doom: The Dark Ages is a pure power fantasy, loading you up with outlandish weaponry and lethal powers and unleashing you on the horde.
One More Game - Chris Garcia - 9 / 10
Doom: The Dark Ages is another standout release from id Software. It showcases a bold departure from Doom Eternal’s gameplay foundations while innovating on the tried-and-true FPS formula. While the action remains fast-paced and visceral, this installment embraces a more grounded approach, delivering impactful and satisfying combat with every strike.
Doom: The Dark Ages is a hellishly spectacular experience and possibly worthy of Game of the Year nods. While Doom Eternal purists may find its more deliberate combat style a departure from previous entries, the game stands confidently alongside its predecessors as a must-play for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
PC Gamer - Morgan Park - 80 / 100
Doom: The Dark Ages is indulgent and deliciously violent, but surprisingly safe.
PCGamesN - Aaron Down - 8 / 10
Doom: The Dark Ages is a heavyweight shooter that, at its core, is lighter on its feet than its predecessor. However, id has at times gone too wide with its half-baked new features and open level design. Rip and tear, until it is done. But please, Slayer, get out of the damn robot.
PlayStation Universe - Tommy Holloway - 9.5 / 10
id Software once again found a way to reinvent the DOOM formula, adding new gameplay elements such as the thoroughly enjoyable shield saw. DOOM: The Dark Ages is nonstop, adrenaline-fuelled thrill ride from start to finish. This blockbuster demands your full attention as the best FPS this year so far.
PowerUp! - Adam Mathew - 8.5 / 10
What’s here is a medieval mosh pit of mayhem that’ll leave you grinning under your helmet, even if it doesn’t quite outshine its elders. Some of the flesh of Doom 2016 and Eternal has been peeled back sensibly in service of a new way; some chunks of epidermis shouldn’t have been extracted at all.
Push Square - Liam Croft - 8 / 10
DOOM: The Dark Ages goes for something slightly different as it turns back time for a medieval assault on hell's legions. Not every change pays off, as the introduction of a mech and dragon adds very little to the overall experience. However, when The Dark Ages gets to the FPS action, there aren't many who do it better than id Software. Take some time to adjust to DOOM: The Dark Ages, and you'll discover another fantastically ferocious first-person shooter.
Quest Daily - Julian Price - 7.5 / 10
Doom: The Dark Ages isn’t without its demons. Its slower story struggles to keep pace with the chaos, and the metal soundtrack rarely reaches its iconic heights. But when it works, it really works — crushing combat, intricate exploration, and a Slayer who still defines fury in motion.
Restart.run - Sam Desatoff - 4 / 5
So yes, all the hallmarks of what makes a good Doom game are fully on display in The Dark Ages: overpowered weapons, copious amounts of blood, chaotic combat, a blistering metal soundtrack. Hell. It’s all just been moved around a little bit, remixed to feel fresh. Like spring cleaning. The place may look different, but that doesn’t mean it’s not comfortable. After all, your chair is still your chair, and Doom is still Doom.
SavePoint Gaming - Jake Su - 10 / 10
From the first kill to the last, Doom: The Dark Ages is an undeniably exhilarating ride that rarely comes down from its high. The narrative sets the stage for more, the weapons and the Shield Saw make for potent combinations, and the level and world design tie it all together in one devilishly brilliant package. It has been more than 30 years since the franchise first kicked off the killing spree, and this latest entry represents the continuation of a new golden age for the Doom Slayer.
Saving Content - Scott Ellison II - 5 / 5
DOOM: The Dark Ages is id Software firing on all cylinders. This game fixes everything I didn’t like about DOOM Eternal, and enhances everything I loved about DOOM (2016). It’s a first-person shooter that smartly incorporates timing and challenge in a whole new way, with lots of replayability. A customizable parry window ensures The Dark Ages can be for anyone, regardless of skill level. DOOM: The Dark Ages finds refinement upon excellence to be a bright spot in the dark ages for this third and hopefully not final entry for the venerable first-person shooter.
Shacknews - David Craddock - 9 / 10
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Sirus Gaming - Lexuzze Tablante - 9 / 10
DOOM: The Dark Ages easily secures my top spot for this year's best first-person shooter game. While the narrative is somewhat decent but a bit forgettable, the refined progression system and improved core mechanics just make The Dark Ages such an entertaining game to play. Rip and tear, everyone... rip and tear!
SteamDeckHQ - Noah Kupetsky - 4.5 / 5
DOOM: The Dark Ages is a fantastic next step for the franchise and a nice return to its roots. The horizontal-movement focus is easier to wrap my head around, and with a great assortment of weapons and the new shield, there were so many chaotic and destructive moments that I always found myself having a great time in the beautiful world. There were some moments when the shield would disrupt the flow of my movement, and there wasn't much to do outside of completing the campaign and collecting the secrets, but it's hard not to recommend the game just based on its addictive and refined gunplay.
Stevivor - Jay Ball - 6.5 / 10
I don’t enjoy this style of Doom compared to that of the previous two games -- it's just not the Doom I've grown to love. That said, The Dark Ages is in no way a bad game. Fans of classic Doom will really enjoy similarities in its larger areas, the high volume of slower projectiles to dodge, and the constant need to push forward.
TechRaptor - Anson Chan - 8 / 10
Doom: The Dark Ages is definitely a game that you play for the shooting mechanics and not the story, but the newly implemented Shield Saw brings a breath of fresh, aggressive air to the demon-slaying fun.
The Beta Network - Anthony Culinas - 9 / 10
DOOM: The Dark Ages is exactly what fans were craving: a beefy, brutal evolution of the franchise that mixes medieval mayhem with modern polish.
The Nerd Stash - Julio La Pine - 9.5 / 10
DOOM: The Dark Ages does the impossible and raises the bar of an already outstanding franchise. It brings top-notch gunplay, satisfying story, stunning visuals, and worthwhile exploration, all in a gorgeous, hellish package.
The Outerhaven Productions - Karl Smart - 4.5 / 5
DOOM: The Dark Ages is like watching a good 90s action film: Turn your brain off and just enjoy the bang bangs and explosions. This game is the perfect lazy weekend game that is fast and furious... and you will ignore your family to play it. Or you can stream it if you want to, and just watch your chat go nuts as you rip and tear until it is done...
TheGamer - Jade King - 3.5 / 5
Doom: The Dark Ages is the weakest entry in a fantastic trilogy of games, and despite how I feel about its additions to combat and exploration, I’d rather an experience that took risks and sought to reinvent what it means to play a Doom game rather than build upon the familiar.
TheSixthAxis - Miguel Moran - 8 / 10
DOOM: The Dark Ages is a fun and flashy shooter stuffed with engaging content - it's a thrill-ride from beginning to end. In the shadow of DOOM Eternal, though, the more varied set-pieces and methodical combat cause its flame to burn just a bit less bright than I was hoping for.
Thumb Wars - Luke Addison - 4.5 / 5
Doom: The Dark Ages may be my favorite Doom experience throughout the years. Whilst it may be 'slower' than previous Doom's. feeling the weight of Doomguy as I cut my way through waves of demons, using the shield as a weapon as much, if not more than a defense, and some glorious level design that never got boring, I just can't wait to get back into the fight and really give it my all on all the difficulty levels. It's a blast, and any FPS fan should be looking at this. The only drawback is the thin and at times boring story getting in the way of more slaughter, but you can't blame iD for trying something new.
Toisto - Joonatan Itkonen - 5 / 5
With satisfying combat, fun exploration, and some of the finest accessibility options out there, Doom: The Dark Ages is an epic heavy metal odyssey that proves the iconic franchise is still king of the genre.
Tom's Guide - 4.5 / 5
Doom: The Dark Ages is another stellar entry in the classic franchise, thanks to its engaging, grounded combat, expansive and varied locales, phenomenal graphics and hours of gameplay. Though it's not revolutionary, it delivers a fast-paced and visceral experience few games can match.
Too Much Gaming - 4.5 / 5
Doom: The Dark Ages is a brutal, strategic, and satisfying shooter that dares to try something new without abandoning what fans love. It’s another classic in the making, and a clear sign that the series has a lot of room to grow.
WellPlayed - Ash Wayling - 9.5 / 10
An amazing new array of systems reinvents DOOM once again, delivering a bombastic and brutal new way to smash demons. With awesome new cosmic threats dying to meet the serrated edge of your shield, The Dark Ages may well be the best age for any aspiring Doom Slayer.
Worth Playing - Chris "Atom" DeAngelus - 8 / 10
Doom: The Dark Ages is a welcome attempt to reinvent the most iconic shooter franchise of all time rather than sticking with what had previously worked. Some of the changes work, and some don't, but for the most part, the gameplay is extremely fun, even if it didn't hit the highs of Eternal. An extremely weak plot, some feeble side mechanics, and a somewhat underwhelming soundtrack drag down things a tad, but if you enjoyed Eternal and 2016, then The Dark Ages still has a lot of fun in store for you. Just be prepared to parry like you're playing Metal Gear Rising.
Xbox Achievements - Richard Walker - 90%
Ever wondered about where the DOOM Slayer (aka DOOM Guy) came from and what his deal is? Me neither, but developer id Software is here to tell you all...
XboxEra - Jesse Norris - 9.5 / 10
DOOM: The Dark Ages takes us back to the Slayer at his most powerful, stylish cape and all. Twenty-two levels of mayhem, excellent pacing, and furious combat make this entry my favorite in the series yet.
Zoomg - Afshin Piroozi - Persian - 9.5 / 10
Overall, it’s fair to say that id Software has once again succeeded in creating a game worthy of carrying the legendary DOOM name. The Dark Ages takes some risks and introduces new features, but in the end, most of these decisions and changes pay off in the final experience. The Dark Ages is an unforgettable, adrenaline-fueled festival of demon-slaying, and if you're a fan of the DOOM series—or first-person action games in general—you absolutely shouldn’t miss out on the thrill of playing it.
