DOOM: The Dark Ages Review

By Dave Aubrey

The modern DOOM saga has firmly established the Doom Slayer as a devastating force of nature. He`s a being of few words but an abundance of actions, all centered around the annihilation of demons. He transcends typical humanity, functioning as an unstoppable power confronting an unyielding problem. This core identity is precisely what makes DOOM: The Dark Ages so compelling.

Whereas the previous installment, DOOM Eternal, pushed innovation by granting the Doom Slayer greater agility and nimbleness – enabling him to glide gracefully through the air before descending – The Dark Ages opts to significantly curtail this mobility. This iteration of the Doom Slayer often finds his feet planted firmly on the ground. However, this shift has allowed the development team to concentrate on the intricacies of enemy attack patterns and projectiles, simultaneously equipping the player with a new primary tool to manage them.

Given that effortlessly leaping and gliding over the inevitable storm of projectiles is no longer a simple option, you require a means of defense. This is where the shield becomes indispensable. The shield in The Dark Ages is a fundamental addition to the Doom Slayer`s arsenal, not merely a weapon you might overlook after the initial levels. Regardless of which weapon you wield, the shield remains ever-present in the Slayer`s left hand, proving essential for nearly every encounter, and even incorporated into traversal and puzzle mechanics.

The shield soon receives a chainblade enhancement, allowing it to be hurled directly through weaker adversaries. Further upgrades enable the shield to decimate legions of smaller foes with a single throw. While this versatile utility is highly appreciated – making the shield a prime focus for upgrades – the pivotal mechanic it introduces is the parry system. Mastering and relying on your ability to parry is crucial during battles against larger enemies.

Enemies will exhibit a green flash just before launching an attack that can be parried (projectiles suitable for parrying and returning are also green). A successful parry momentarily stuns the opponent, opening them up for a counter-attack. Naturally, your parry capability is also upgradeable and can be customized, offering considerable flexibility in tailoring your build. You might focus your parry and tools purely on maximizing damage, or perhaps incorporate features that restore your shield`s health upon a successful parry.

This forms a solid mechanical foundation for an intriguing evolution of the Doom Slayer`s combat style. Yet, the game would lack sustained appeal without a spectacular array of weapons to unleash upon a diverse cast of enemies. The Doom Slayer`s weapon collection is almost as extravagant as the man himself, featuring super shotguns, rocket launchers, energy weapons, and more. Nearly all weapons can be upgraded to interact with the shield in various ways – whether triggering explosive effects upon a shield throw or powering up shots against parried foes. Unlocking a new upgrade tier on your weapons provides immediate motivation to dive back into the action and test them out. It`s a formula familiar to players of the contemporary DOOM titles, and it remains profoundly effective here.

Certain new mechanics don`t integrate quite as seamlessly, such as the sections involving the Atlan and the Dragon. The Atlan is a colossal mech piloted by the Doom Slayer in relatively straightforward punch-and-dodge sequences. Land enough hits on a giant foe, and you can execute a finishing move. The gameplay loop seldom deviates from this, and while it`s enjoyable for the initial level, it feels significantly slower than the core experience. The Dragon sequences are an improvement, allowing dynamic flight across specific levels to uncover secrets, but they still feel distinctly less fast-paced than the standard gameplay. They are fun additions, but their removal would likely not diminish the overall experience.

This discussion overlooks the new `medieval` visual style. It presents an interesting fusion of the demonic sci-fi aesthetic synonymous with DOOM and a generous infusion of ancient castles and towns to navigate. This offers a welcome change of scenery from the typical hellscapes or spaceship interiors, although some later environments do evoke the feeling of exploring a hell-infused spaceship. Nevertheless, the aesthetic shift, combined with the significant mechanical alterations, helps The Dark Ages carve out its own identity within the series.

In the heat of combat, tearing through an seemingly endless onslaught of demonic adversaries, DOOM: The Dark Ages stands out as one of the most exhilarating gaming experiences of the recent past. It doesn`t constantly maintain that hyperactive, frantic pace, but during its peak moments, it truly shines. While not every element is polished to the same high standard, if you`re seeking an intense action shooter right now, DOOM: The Dark Ages is unlikely to leave you disappointed.