Doom: The Dark Ages is finally here, and with it, plenty of action-packed gameplay that puts players up against the forces of Hell. Taking on the role of the iconic Slayer, Doom: The Dark Ages introduces a fresh medieval take on the franchise, but that isn't the only major change being brought to the series.
The Glory Kill system has been tweaked pretty significantly. Glory Kills have become a recent Doom staple, but Doom: The Dark Ages takes a more balanced approach that may be refreshing for some players, while disappointing to others. It's a matter of taste, and there are plenty of pros and cons regarding Doom: The Dark Ages' change to how Glory Kills are activated.
Doom: The Dark Ages Strategy Makes Hell Knight Fights Way Easier
Doom: The Dark Ages brings demon destructibility to new heights, and can make it particularly easy for players to pacify certain monsters.
Doom: The Dark Ages Saves Glory Kills for Its Most Harrowing Encounters, Streamlining the Non-Stop Action
The Pros of Saving Glory Kills for Specific Fights
For the most part, Glory Kills are mainly reserved for Leaders, stronger demons that serve as mini-bosses throughout the story. Keeping Doom: The Dark Ages' most graphic kills specific to its more powerful enemies can really bring some excitement when it finally happens. These animations can be downright gnarly when taking a Leaders' Demonic Essence. The biggest benefit to this approach is that it helps the pace of normal enemy encounters.
Instead of taking up so much time Glory Killing grunts in each level, the Slayer can slash and shoot through a horde of normal-level enemies like butter, making fights more fast-paced. This can help players maintain a solid momentum, which ultimately adds to the power fantasy that Doom: The Dark Ages brings forth. The new route that has been taken with this combat feature can keep the Glory Kills from growing old over time, which could be seen as a big benefit after spending hours with the game.
Lower-level enemies can still be damaged with Glory Strikes, but they don't always result in a kill. Glory Kills can be triggered against normal enemies, but they are incredibly rare.
The Cons of Less Frequent Glory Kills
The biggest downside to this approach is clear, though. Glory Kills bring an awesome level of gore to enemy encounters, so seeing less of them overall can be a real bummer when the franchise has made it something to expect. Whether it be a weaker demon or a powerful mini-boss, getting a close-up view of the Slayer annihilating any spawn of Hell, regardless of type, brought a different level of fun. The Doom franchise has a strong legacy, and while saving its bloodiest kills can elevate the excitement of performing them, a lot of fans may be left missing the continuous gore-filled animations.
The benefit of having a more fast-paced combat experience can feel incredibly satisfying, but less Glory Kills also removes some of the franchise's new identity that was established with Doom (2016). Glory Kills may not be a series-long tradition, but the system has definitely become a defining feature of the modern era, which could make Doom: The Dark Ages feel jarring to some players.
Winning a powerful demon's Demonic Essence awards the Slayer with upgrades for Health, Armor, or Ammo.
Doom: The Dark Ages Embraces its Changes
Despite fewer Glory Kills, Doom: The Dark Ages definitely does not hold back on the action. The special kills that are present are delightfully gruesome, and new additions like the Slayer's Shield Saw and the introduction of a hulking mech suit make up for the more sparse Glory Kills. The changes made to Doom: The Dark Ages all come down to player preference, but it's exciting to see that developer id Software isn't afraid to experiment with its formula.
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
