Doom: The Dark Ages brings to life an exciting medieval-inspired chapter that offers players even more demon-killing action to revel in. There are a lot of staple features that Doom: The Dark Ages keeps intact, but there are also plenty of exciting changes as well. From brand-new weapons, like the Shield Saw, to towering mech suits, Doom: The Dark Ages embraces having fun through experimentation.
A lot of these new features are simply fun upgrades, but one change in particular could actually prove to be a game-changer for the industry if other developers follow suit. Doom: The Dark Ages has an impressive difficulty settings system that makes the game not only far more accessible, but also incredibly challenging for its most hardcore fans.
The Pros and Cons of Doom: The Dark Ages' Glory Kill Changes
Doom: The Dark Ages makes a variety of changes to the franchise, with one of the most notable being its approach to Glory Kills.
Doom: The Dark Ages' Difficulty Settings Prove That Games Can Be One Size Fits All
Doom: The Dark Ages Features Six Base Difficulty Options
- Aspiring Slayer
- Hurt Me Plenty
- Ultra-Violence
- Nightmare
- Pandemonium
- Ultra-Nightmare
Six difficulty options is generous enough, but developer id Software goes even further with what can be done with its difficulty. These choices are simply presets, so Doom: The Dark Ages players can still tweak further settings within the game. Whether it's the parry window, enemy aggression, or damage to the player, the game's difficulty options provide gamers the chance to customize the experience to their specific preferences.
One choice made with Doom: The Dark Ages has caused a lot of controversy. Although there are physical copies being sold, it only holds a small amount of data, meaning an 85GB download is still required to play the game.
Gameplay Difficulty Has Been an Ongoing Debate For a While Now
As gaming has grown in popularity over the years, some developers have chosen to streamline certain gameplay elements. While Avowed was praised for its exploration, a lot of longtime RPG fans also see the game as being too easy sometimes. On the other hand, though, FromSoftware games like Sekiro and Elden Ring use their difficulty as a major selling point. It's a tricky balance to maintain, as developers want to draw players to their projects, but there is also the fear of alienation if the game is considered too hard or lack of interest if considered too easy.
From brand-new weapons, like the Shield Saw, to towering mech suits, Doom: The Dark Ages embraces having fun with experimentation.
Doom: The Dark Ages presents a fantastic compromise that hopefully sets a new standard for other developers moving forward. Of course, developers like FromSoftware have thrived on their reputation for giving players a challenge, so that studio is unlikely to change formulas, and it shouldn't have to. However, for developers who are concerned about their games being too hard or easy for gamers, Doom: The Dark Ages offers a blueprint on a silver platter.
Being able to make changes to core combat features like projectile speed, how long an enemy is dazed, and customized targeting are huge benefits across the board. Players who want a more forgiving experience can easily get that, while longtime Doom fans who love being put through a harrowing fight with Hell can still get the grueling punishment they crave.
The HUD settings also offer three options to choose from to customize the Slayer's avatar; None, Normal, and Classic.
Doom: The Dark Ages' Settings Approach May Have Raised the Bar
Considering that the game is still incredibly fresh, it will likely be a while before it's made clear if Doom: The Dark Ages has inspired other games with its difficulty settings. Doom: The Dark Ages upgrades have introduced a whole new set of exciting features that will hopefully continue to not only influence further Doom chapters, but the industry as a whole. Of course, only time will tell, but Doom: The Dark Ages may have potentially solved an ongoing gaming problem.
DOOM: The Dark Ages
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 86 /100 Critics Rec: 95%
- Released
- May 15, 2025
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
- Developer(s)
- id Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
WHERE TO PLAY
BECOME THE SLAYER IN A MEDIEVAL WAR AGAINST HELL
DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells an epic cinematic story worthy of the DOOM Slayer’s legend. In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.
DOOM: The Dark Ages is a dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine.
REIGN IN HELL
As the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw. Players will stand and fight on the demon-infested battlefields in the vicious, grounded combat the original DOOM is famous for.
STAND AND FIGHT
Experience an epic story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this cinematic and action-packed story. Bound to serve as the super weapon of gods and kings, the DOOM Slayer fends off demon hordes as their leader seeks to destroy the Slayer and become the only one that is feared. Witness the creation of a legend as the Slayer takes on all of Hell and turns the tide of the war.
DISCOVER UNKNOWN REALMS
In his quest to crush the legions of Hell, the Slayer must take the fight to never-before-seen realms. Mystery, challenges, and rewards lurk in every shadow of ruined castles, epic battlefields, dark forests, ancient hellscapes, and worlds beyond. Armed with the viciously powerful Shield Saw, cut through a dark world of menace and secrets in id's largest and most expansive levels to date.
- Engine
- id Tech
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
