Summary
- Doom: The Dark Ages shifts to a new gameplay style, encouraging strategic combat in a medieval setting.
- New weapons and enemies add depth to the game, hinting at a new direction for the series.
- Both Doom: The Dark Ages and God of War embrace slower combat and weapon changes, offering fresh challenges.
Since the reboot of Doom in 2016, each successive game has aimed to stand out from those that came before, and Doom: The Dark Ages seems as though it is taking the franchise in a new direction. Rather than upping the ante from Doom Eternal’s high-speed, high-tech gameplay, Doom: The Dark Ages encourages players to slow down and strategize against larger hordes of enemies in a medieval setting.
To match this change in gameplay style, fans of the series will be treated to a range of all-new weapons to play with, allowing them to face off against familiar foes in unique and interesting ways. However, a recent trailer for the game revealed that the Doom Slayer’s fate may share some similarities to Kratos, in that their past carnage has garnered some unwanted attention.
How Doom: The Dark Ages’ Gameplay Differs From Doom Eternal
In a The Best War Games interview, Doom: The Dark Ages' game directors explain the fundamental difference between this title and Doom Eternal.
New Threats Will Never Let Doom Slayer or Kratos Rest
After exacting vengeance on the Greek gods, Kratos pursued a quiet life in 2018’s God of War. In spite of this, the tales of his past became known to the gods of Norse mythology, leading to him becoming The Ghost of Sparta once more. The reveal of the Cosmic Realm in Doom: The Dark Ages seems to be following a similar blueprint. The Doom Slayer has been ripping and tearing through the legions of Hell in all the previous Doom games, and though they are still present in this installment, he now must hold his own against a new pantheon of Eldritch beings.
The demon designs in the series' games have shown great potential, with some of the most distinct and toughest Doom enemies appearing for the first time in recent releases. Nevertheless, Doom: The Dark Ages’ willingness to expand its bestiary with a new realm of creatures may be what the series needs. The new God of War games proved that Greek mythology alone limited the potential for what a God of War game could be. A different environment full of Nordic creatures and folklore lets players see a new side of Kratos without undermining past titles, and Doom: The Dark Ages’ Cosmic Realm may be setting the series up for the same.
Allowing the protagonists to venture through other realms is a wise decision to make. With no more Greek gods left to kill, Kratos had to move on for the series to continue. Now that Atreus plays a more prominent role in the series, players may be able to expect him to fill in for Kratos and explore other mythological realms on his own.
Likewise, Doom: The Dark Ages’ Cosmic Realm may be a sign of what’s to come in the future. Doom’s identity has always been centered around the demons of Hell, and it is unlikely that this will change any time soon, but the introduction of beings from a cyclopean world opens up more potential for the kinds of evil players may face. Doom: The Dark Ages isn’t afraid to break tradition, so a step away from the standard demonic enemies may not be completely out of the question.
God of War's Rumored Greek Saga Side Story Should Pull One Aspect from the Norse Saga
Despite the change in setting, the rumored God of War side game set in Greece should retain one defining component of the Norse saga.
Doom’s New Combat Approach is Familiar
Slowing Down to Stand and Fight
These new environments for Doom and God of War aren’t the only way these series have been shifting away from their origins. Id Software has been vocal about its new “stand and fight” approach to Doom: The Dark Ages, requiring a methodical approach to clearing out waves of enemies. This may be another parallel between the two franchises. God of War’s gameplay style completely changed with the Norse saga, with a much slower pace to match Kratos’ careful approach to fighting. Although the Doom Slayer has yet to learn to be more reserved, eliminating all enemies in his path, it’s interesting that as the worlds of both games expanded to new realms, the gameplay style has altered with it.
Both Games Have a Weapon Mechanic in Common
Possibly one more glaring similarity is that both protagonists equipped themselves with new weapons. For Doom games, this is to be expected, as each sequel boasts more guns and melee weapons than the last. One weapon in particular seems like an odd choice for the Doom Slayer at first, but it is one that makes the connection to Kratos much stronger. The Doom Slayer has traded the chainsaw from the classic games for the Shield Saw in Doom: The Dark Ages, functioning as players would expect any shield to, but its primary use is to be thrown. The saw blades circling the shield deal damage to any enemies the projectile hits, ricocheting around the battlefield to return to the player’s hand.
To fans of the recent God of War games, this should feel very familiar. In trying to bury his past, Kratos gave up the Blades of Chaos in favor of the Leviathan Axe, a weapon more fitting for the Norse setting. Kratos is able to swing the axe at nearby foes, but it can be thrown to reach distant enemies before Kratos summons it back to his hand. Even though both games are slower than their predecessors, this shared mechanic keeps players active in the fight.
God of War and Doom: The Dark Ages pitting their main characters against unfamiliar adversaries is an interesting way for each of these series to continue. Rather than wearing the same ideas out until fans become fatigued, presenting different challenges keeps the franchises fresh. Though the journeys both have taken are very similar to one another, what makes them stand out is their approach to overcoming obstacles. For Kratos, he is empowered by his regret, and even when challenged by new God of War deities, he only fights in search of peace. The Doom Slayer shows no signs of stopping, feeling no remorse for the countless demons – and now cosmic entities – he takes down.
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
