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The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Doom: The Dark Ages' game review
Doom has always managed to stay at the cutting edge of the first-person shooter (FPS) genre — something it practically invented with the original 1993 release. Synonymous with pulse-pounding gunplay, the franchise saw a major revival with 2016's Doom and its follow-up, Doom Eternal. Rather than a direct sequel, Doom: The Dark Ages is iD Software's bold attempt to expand the mythos further. Acting as a narrative bridge between the end of Doom 64 and the opening of Doom (2016), while carefully sidestepping the non-canonical Doom 3,The Dark Ages takes the series in a bold new direction. With a heavier focus on melee combat and medieval fantasy aesthetics, the gamble pays off. The story centres around a key MacGuffin known as the 'Heart of Argent', a precursor to the Argent energy mined by humans in Doom (2016). This mysterious artifact sets the stage for a fierce conflict between the forces of Hell and the Sentinels of Argent D'Nur. You play as the Doom Slayer, a former space marine turned superhuman demon-slayer, now under the control of a third faction: the Maykrs. Enslaved and deployed like a weapon, you are sent to battle Hell with a very short leash. While the plot may initially seem like standard action-game fare, it is clear that iD Software is attempting to weave a more cohesive lore around its dark fantasy setting, albeit with mixed results. At times, the exposition feels overwrought, borrowing the brooding tone and deliberate pacing of Dune. Still, I found its predictability oddly comforting. The art direction is phenomenal, and the slower moments gave my hands a chance to recover before the next burst of ultra-violence. The Dark Ages delivers a near-hypnotic gameplay experience. It is fluid, immersive, and meditative in a way that few shooters manage. Compared to the frenetic chaos of Doom Eternal, this entry feels more controlled, more rhythmic. Once you are locked into the flow of melee-gunplay combat, it is almost like dancing through a storm. Early on, the game arms you with a shield-chainsaw hybrid and introduces parrying as a core mechanic. Time your moves right, and you will deflect green hellfire back at enemies, opening them up for brutal finishers. One standout moment saw me parrying fireballs while surrounded by towering demons, triggering a chain reaction of gory carnage. It was exhilarating and gory. Then come the Kaiju levels. Yes, you get to pilot a mech and take on skyscraper-sized demons with your bare metal fists, Pacific Rim style. Do not worry — this is not a spoiler; it is in the trailers. These levels are a visual and gameplay spectacle. And because no dark fantasy would be complete without dragons, The Dark Ages lets you ride your very own cybernetic flying beast. It is not quite as jaw-dropping as the mech segments, but it is undeniably fun — especially when you are blasting down hellships and boarding them mid-flight. Doom: The Dark Ages Publisher: Bethesda Developer: iD Software Price: ₹4,999 on Steam, Xbox One, Playstation 5 Of course, a Doom game lives and dies by its arsenal. You begin with your trusty shotgun before unlocking the Quake-inspired nailgun. The standout weapon, however, is the Skullcrusher — a monstrous gun that grinds skulls and fires bone shards in wide, devastating arcs. While the guns are slick and satisfying, they serve more as support tools for your melee and shield play. Combat becomes a dance of crowd control, perfectly timed parries, and brutal finishing moves. As you explore massive levels, defeat demon hordes, and collect gold, you will be constantly upgrading your weapons — giving you ample reason to revisit previous stages. Visually, The Dark Ages is a technical marvel. Running on iD Tech 8, the game renders massive levels and colossal enemies with breathtaking clarity. From detailed ground-level skirmishes to epic aerial battles atop dragons, the scale is immense and fluid. One flying level, which has you soaring through a demon-infested city, is a standout set piece. The Dark Ages may be the best-looking game of the year, with a unique visual identity that makes many Unreal Engine titles look generic by comparison. Doom: The Dark Ages is an absolute must-play for fans of fantasy, action, or first-person shooters. It is a triumphant reminder that one of the genre's founding fathers still knows how to innovate, stay relevant, and deliver unforgettable experiences. Without question, one of the games of the year.
Digital Trends
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
3 PlayStation Plus games to play this weekend (May 16-19)
The middle of the month is always a bit of an awkward spot when it comes to PlayStation Plus games. Plenty of us will be ripping through Doom: The Dark Ages this weekend, but that kind of gory, heavy metal FPS game isn't for everyone. There's also the sad news we got a few weeks ago about Lost Soul Aside being delayed out of this month, leaving a big hole for us PlayStation gamers. Not to worry, though, because I haven't forgotten my duty of finding the best games in the PlayStation Plus catalogue to make sure you have something amazing to play each and every weekend. For this weekend, I've found an alternative FPS, an overlooked open world adventure, and a more cozy experience. Let's check them out. Wolfenstein: The New Order Before iD Software rebooted the Doom games in 2016, it gave the same treatment to Wolfenstein. In my opinion, Wolfenstein: The New Order was the greater accomplishment. Where iD chose to almost deify Doom Slayer as an unstoppable force of nature, it gave BJ Blaskowicz humanity. What was once nothing more than a pixelated face was transformed into a sympathetic and complex human being that you will become very invested in. Of course, this is still an FPS game at heart and absolutely nails that aspect. Blasting Nazis, upgrading your guns, and finding secrets and collectibles is top-notch fun, and I think we could all use a bit of guilt-free Nazi killing right now. Once you finish this entry, you can roll right into the DLC and sequel, too. Recommended Videos Wolfenstein: The New Order is available now on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC. Days Gone We're still fresh off the release of the remaster, but those who didn't already own the game might be a little turned off by the price tag for a game that had a mixed reception at launch. If you fall into that boat, the original version is still waiting right here on PS Plus for you to check out. Sure, it won't have the improved graphics of the remaster, but playing on the PS5 still looks and plays amazing to the point where I would almost say it isn't necessary to go for the upgrade. Set deep into a zombie outbreak, you play as a biker in Oregon working for various factions trying to survive and unravel some personal mysteries. It isn't a perfect game, but the bond you develop with your motorcycle and how that changes your approach to exploration and encounters is worth playing. It is also a nice alternative if you're in the mood for more zombie media while The Last of Us season 2 is airing. Days Gone is available now on PS4, PS5, and PC. Dave the Diver Enough of all those dark and depressing games, right? The sun is out, so why not play a game with some jolly vibes like Dave the Diver? This game came out of nowhere and was an instant hit. The game divides itself between underwater exploration, collecting, questing, and upgrading, with an equally deep restaurant management side. Everything you do diving during the day helps improve your restaurant at night, and that cash allows you to buy upgrades to make deeper and longer dives. It is a simple but addictive loop all wrapped up in some amazing pixel art and set to some amazing tunes. There have also been a ton of crossovers with other franchises sure to surprise and delight. Dave the Diver is available now on PS4, PS5, Switch, and PC.
