Doom’s Dark Ages: A Medieval Bloodbath Like Never Before

I haven’t played Doom: The Dark Ages yet, but from everything I’ve seen, read, and heard, it looks like an absolute beast of a game. The latest entry in the Doom franchise takes the Slayer back in time—before the events of Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal—to a medieval-inspired world filled with towering castles, monstrous demons, and some of the most metal combat mechanics the series has ever seen.

But how does it actually feel to play? Let’s dive into the reviews, player reactions, and the numbers to see what the gaming world thinks about Doom: The Dark Ages.

The Slayer’s New Playground

The Doom series has always been about one thing: ripping and tearing. But The Dark Ages changes the formula in a way that has surprised many players. Instead of the fast-paced, acrobatic movement of Doom Eternal, this game slows things down—just a little. The Slayer now wields a Shield Saw, a brutal weapon that lets him parry attacks, slice through enemies, and even throw it like Captain America. There’s also mech combat, dragon-riding, and massive battlefield fights, making this feel like Doom meets Game of Thrones.

What the Critics Are Saying

The game has landed a Metacritic score of 85, which is solid but slightly below Doom Eternal. Reviews praise the combat innovations, the cinematic storytelling, and the sheer spectacle of the game, but some players feel the slower movement and parry mechanics take away from the high-speed chaos that made Doom Eternal so addictive.

IGN’s review highlights how the game boldly reinvents the Slayer’s combat style, making him feel more like a walking tank rather than a hyper-agile warrior. Meanwhile, PCMag calls it the most welcoming Doom game for newcomers, thanks to its approachable mechanics and defensive playstyle.

Steam Charts & Player Reactions

On Steam, Doom: The Dark Ages peaked at 30,714 concurrent players, which is lower than Doom Eternal’s launch numbers. Some players are loving the new mechanics, while others miss the speed and fluidity of previous games. The Shield Saw parry system has been a divisive addition—some call it a brilliant evolution, while others feel it slows down the action too much.

User reviews on Metacritic are mixed, with a 7.4 user score. Some players love the medieval setting and brutal combat, while others feel the game lacks the adrenaline-pumping pace of its predecessors.

My Take Before Playing

From everything I’ve gathered, Doom: The Dark Ages is a bold experiment. It’s still Doom—still brutal, still chaotic—but it’s trying something new. The medieval setting, the Shield Saw mechanics, and the larger battlefields make it feel fresh, but not everyone is on board with the changes.

I’ll be jumping into the game in the coming days, and I’m excited to see how it plays firsthand. Will I miss the speed of Doom Eternal? Or will I love the new weighty, tactical combat? Either way, I’m ready to rip and tear.

Stay tuned—I’ll be back with my own review soon.

Until then, check out my previous post: I tried the new Helldivers update and OMG! • Board Activity