DOOM: The Dark Ages is a new game in the long-running Doom series that prequels all previous titles and takes you to medieval times. Unlike its predecessor, that game moves away from sci-fi aesthetics in favor of fantasy ones like citadels, catacombs, castles, and open fields. While the game's setting might be old-school and gothic, all mechanics have been modernized, so you can shoot with a 120p support as the game retains the speed and dynamic combat of its predecessors.
In this first-person shooter, you explore and fight through kingdoms turned into apocalyptic landscapes with demons hiding behind every corner or obstacle. DOOM: The Dark Ages is still a game where you need to focus on mastering your weapons, making tactical moves, and being aware of your environment, so as not to get killed.
The set of weapons differs from what players might be used to and now includes medieval firearms, magical runes, spiked flails, and even demonic relics. As the Doom Slayer, you get to fight hordes of monsters in different modes, including large-scale battles, sieges, and even mounted combat. It’s a long-awaited title that you can now get on Windows computers as well as on PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles.
Why should I download DOOM: The Dark Ages?
Even though DOOM: The Dark Ages is a reimagined new version of the classic games, it doesn’t lose its DNA centered around dynamic, brutal, and fast combat. With new tools, weapons, locations, and storyline, DOOM: The Dark Ages remains true to its predecessors and offers the same level of entertainment and engagement while utilizing modern hardware specs.
The visual design and new setting of DOOM: The Dark Ages is a significant change when compared to previous Doom titles. Where you usually battled through neon-lit futuristic corridors and labs, now you find yourself slaying demons inside fortresses, catacombs, castles, and open fields infested with demons. The entire world has a feeling of decay and corruption, with great attention to detail on gothic spires, rusted chains, infernal symbols on gates and walls, or decomposing kingdom banners.
While gunplay was usually a primary combat mechanic in Doom, this time, you also need to take command of melee weapons, either by wielding a fail to crush enemies or carrying a heavy shield that can also help in attacks. You can also add magical artefacts and runs that allow burning, freezing, or even bombing demons and other opponents. DOOM: The Dark Ages has more up-close, brutal battles than the previous games, but it didn’t eliminate long-range options. This title introduces medieval-inspired firearms like rifles, cannons, and crossbows that stay in line with the style of the game, but also offer various modes in which you can fire them or upgrade them with runes.
A thing that’s new is that you also get to use mounted combat in DOOM: The Dark Ages. The game has specific missions where you can ride demonic horses or mechanical beasts on open battlefields or during sieges. When it comes to your enemies, you can see classic demons known from previous games, like Hell Knights of Cacademons, but they’ve been redesigned to match the game's aesthetics. There’s also a wide array of new enemies like banshees, sorcerers, and juggernauts, each with unique battle styles, behaviors, and resistances.
As usual in the series, you need to manage your resources carefully, but DOOM: The Dark Ages introduces new elements like mana, armor shards, or crafting materials to make consumables. The story itself in DOOM: The Dark Ages is focused on presenting the origins of the Doom Slayer and how he transformed from a mortal to his current role. It builds on the themes from Doom Eternal and adds cinematic storytelling. As usual, you can play DOOM: The Dark Ages on multiple difficulty levels and buy the game for various platforms like Windows, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Is DOOM: The Dark Ages free?
As an AAA game, you need to buy and download DOOM: The Dark Ages to play it on one of the supported platforms. The exact pricing depends on the device you’ll use to play the game and the version you choose to buy. You can also get it as part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription.
You can get DOOM: The Dark Ages as the base game only, but there’s also a Premium version with a campaign DLC and a new set of skins. For fans of the series, there’s a collector’s version that adds a physical figure of the Doom Slayer, a steelbook, and other items.
What operating systems are compatible with DOOM: The Dark Ages?
DOOM: The Dark Ages is available on Windows 10 or 11 PCs through Steam, Battle.net, and GeForce Now. You can also play the game on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
The game has been optimized to use the newest hardware and specifications of next-gen gaming consoles, so you might need a powerful computer if you choose to play DOOM: The Dark Ages on a PC.
What are the alternatives to DOOM: The Dark Ages?
DOOM Eternal is the direct predecessor to DOOM: The Dark Ages and is considered to be one of the best first-person shooters to date. You can play it through its primary campaign, solo missions, join multiplayer modes, and the game also has a DLC called The Ancient Gods. It’s a paid game that you can find on a wide range of platforms, including PCs, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Google Stadia.
Wolfenstein Youngblood is a co-op short taking place in an alternate history where the Nazis control the world. The game combines PRG elements, skill trees, and missions with multiplayer modes, but you can also play the game solo and get an AI-generated companion. You can buy and play Wolfenstein Youngblood on Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox One.
Robocop Rogue City is an action game where you play from the first-person perspective, and you play as the iconic police cyborg from the hit movie. The game mixes investigations with combat missions and offers an almost open-world experience with branching missions. It’s not as fast-paced as Doom and includes moral choices influencing the gameplay and storyline. You can play Robocop Rogue City on Windows, macOS, Xbox, and PlayStation.
