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The Review Geek
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Doom: The Dark Ages (2025) Game Review
This new instalment in the long-running FPS franchise has a medieval slant, but despite the 'Dark Ages' setting, it's still the game you know and presumably love. There are still hordes of demons to kill, with an increasingly powerful set of weapons, and the music score is as adrenaline-pumping as ever, to enhance your excitement as you blast monsters into oblivion. The game is a prequel to the last two entries in the series, with a dark, occasionally complicated narrative that leads into the events of the 2016 reboot. Of course, you don't come to a Doom game for a plotline. For the most part, it's very forgettable – a lot of mumbo jumbo about the DoomSlayer being humanity's last hope against the forces of Hell – and a lot of it has been echoed before in previous games in the series. The bolted-on narrative adds some meaning to the run-and-gun gameplay, but whenever a cutscene appears to explain away the plot, you'll probably be itching to hit the skip button, so as to get back into the thick of the very bloody action. And if it's action you want, it's action you'll get, as you battle the hordes of darkness like a medieval badass. Movement is more weighty this time around, so you're not quite as nimble as before (which isn't to say you're particularly slow), but you do have a handy shield that you can fling around the battleground and lay waste to multiple enemies before they swarm to your locale. You also have the ability to shield charge, so even though the Doomslayer is not quite as athletic as he used to be (there is no option to dash or double jump), you can still whiz across the landscape by targeting and jumping to an enemy with your shield. This makes moving around the battleground a lot faster, useful when you're feeling outnumbered, so your chances of survival are increased dramatically. Of course, it's mainly your weapons that do much to boost your survivability. Early on in the game, you're armed with a combat shotgun, the Shredder (the Doom-verse's equivalent of a machine gun), and the Power Gauntlet, a melee weapon that packs a mighty punch. Later on in the game, you're rewarded with more powerful weapons, such as the Accelerator, a pulverising plasma gun that can rip apart the enemies' shields, and the Ballistic Force Crossbow, a limited ammo weapon which is especially useful at taking down the game's bosses. You also get a couple of new melee weapons, including the Flail, a slow but powerful chain weapon that befits the medieval setting, as well as an upgrade to the shield – the Shield Saw – that sticks into and momentarily stuns the enemies, thus boosting your offensive potential. In short, the game lets you be the badass you always want to be in a Doom game as you use your beefed-up armoury to wipe out Hell's minions. Some of these monsters are easier to defeat than others – you should have little trouble ripping apart the slow-walking Zombies and weak-assed Imps. But more of a challenge are the Riders – annoying archers who take pot shots at you while riding giant reptiles – and the Titans, gargantuan beasts that can only be taken down with certain types of weaponry. There are 39 enemy types in total, some of which you'll have seen in other Doom games, and new additions to the franchise that match the medieval setting. So, it's pretty much business as usual for a Doom game then. However, there are a couple of new gameplay additions that will likely prove divisive. The first of these sees you ride on the back of a dragon at various points during the game. Movement via this winged beast is smooth and slick, so you'll have little trouble flying around the corrupted landscape. However, you're required to use this flying lizard to take down building turrets and shields, which can be a little fiddly due to the need to build up a meter by dodging gunfire (easier said than done) before you're allowed to destroy the hellscape's defences. The other new addition is a giant piece of mechanised armour that allows you to tower over the environment and smash your way through obstacles and the minions of Hell below. Unfortunately, this isn't as much fun as it sounds, and like the dragon riding, it proves as a needless distraction to the demon-pulverising at ground level. I can understand id Software's decision to modify the traditional Doom formula – some people will appreciate the variety in gameplay – but franchise purists might get annoyed by these diversions. Despite the occasional change to formula, Doom: The Dark Ages still hearkens back to the franchise's roots. You're still required to find keys to enter previously impassable areas (and find optional secrets) within the game's expansive map, and you're often confined to specific areas until you destroy the hellspawn that litters each battleground. Fans of the franchise will welcome the familiarity, though newcomers to the series might be frustrated at the game's old-school feel and lack of depth in the puzzle department. Doom: The Dark Ages is a fun game with super-smooth combat and a wide variety of graphically impressive environments from which to unleash all manner of glorious kills on the demonic enemies. New variations to the gameplay will please some while irking others, but for the most part, this is still a traditional Doom game at heart, which will be good news for long-time fans of this loud and bombastic series.
BreakingNews.ie
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Doom: The Dark Ages Review - A medieval brawl with a modern twist
There's just nothing quite like dissecting demons or blasting them in the face with a shotgun. Doom has been a staple of the first-person shooter genre since the 1990s and has set the benchmark for how a shooter should feel to play. id Software are masters at making you feel like a badass demon slayer. With each new iteration, they reinvent the formula without losing the DNA that makes Doom so special. Advertisement Doom: The Dark Ages continues this tradition, offering an action-packed first-person shooter with enough weapons to satisfy anyone's power fantasy. Before delving deeper into the combat, it's worth noting how impressive the game looks. It runs consistently at a smooth 60fps on the Xbox Series X. While the environments are your standard Doom fare—Gothic cathedrals and barren hellscapes—they harness the power of modern consoles with more enemies on screen and larger set pieces. There are plenty of secret areas to discover, including plush toys and Codices, which make each area feel less linear. You can also find new skins for your weapons hidden in nooks and crannies, often behind puzzles that act as a carrot on a stick for players. While Doom Eternal focused on giving players a large variety of weapons, The Dark Ages strips things back and provides a more melee-focused experience. The Shotgun, Chaingun, and Rocket Launcher are still available, but they serve more as companion weapons. Advertisement This change may irk some fans, but those willing to adapt will find it just as satisfying as previous entries. Parrying projectiles The biggest addition is the new shield, which fits the medieval aesthetic while doubling as both an offensive and defensive weapon. The developers said their goal was to make you feel like a tank—to stand and fight rather than dodge and weave. The shield allows you to parry green projectiles from demons—a mechanic that plays a central role in combat, with some mini-bosses requiring well-timed rebounds to break their defences. Offensively, you can lock on and smash into enemies from afar. Later, the shield gets upgraded with a rotating saw that continually stuns tougher enemies while slicing through weaker ones with ease. The shield's versatility makes it one of the most satisfying weapons in the game, evoking the feel of the axe in God of War . Launching it and watching it return is always rewarding. Advertisement It takes time to get used to the melee focus, but once you enter the flow state—slicing through smaller enemies to regain health before tackling behemoths like the Cyberdemon—it clicks. Each enemy has an exploitable weakness. The Pink Rider, for example, is weaker than his mount, while the Shield Soldier becomes vulnerable once his defences are lowered. Robust package The Dark Ages continues Doom's tradition of combat experimentation. You start with the parry ability and later unlock upgrades like Runes, which add even more nuance. 'Ground Fissure' creates a shockwave upon parrying, 'Holy Swarm' unleashes daggers, and 'Auto Turret' does exactly what it says. You can also upgrade melee weapons such as the Power Gauntlets or the medieval-themed Flail by increasing damage or reducing cooldowns. It's a robust package, full of variety and replayability. Advertisement Some fans may miss the emphasis on Doom's signature Glory Kills, but the developers said these would interrupt the pacing with so many enemies on screen. Accessibility options are excellent—sliders adjust incoming and outgoing damage and fine-tune the parry window. Normal difficulty ('Hurt Me Plenty') offers a decent challenge, though seasoned players may prefer the more punishing 'Ultra-Violence' mode. While the gameplay is undoubtedly a blast, some of the missions can be repetitive. You are often dropped into a location, asked to destroy four demon portals or have to take down the bosses' grunts before you can kill them. Advertisement Some missions become repetitive—clear four demon portals, defeat grunts before facing bosses—but detours break things up. You ride dragons and pilot mechs in explosive set pieces. The mech levels are a highlight: giant, punchy, and gloriously straightforward. The dragon segments are less compelling—fiddly lock-on mechanics and underwhelming gameplay drag them down. Dragons and mechs The more traditional missions are balanced out with detours where you get to fly on a dragon and operate a giant mech. The latter is much more fun and straight forward as you are essentially a giant Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robot able to smash demon Titans. They do not overcomplicate things and I always looked forward to those levels. While the dragon level help break things up, what you actual do in the levels can be quite dull. To destroy hell ships you have to lock on to their missile launchers and dodge them to break their shields. It is far from thrilling gameplay but there is nice mix between flying around destroying ships and slaying demons on the ground. Where The Dark Ages falters is in its story. As a prequel, it had the chance to delve deeper into the Doom Slayer's origins. While it is more cinematic story than previous games, as a prequel it could have gone much deeper into Doomslayer's origins. Instead, you are dropped into the ongoing war between the forces of Hell and the Night Sentinels and their allies the Maykrs. The Doomslayer is their secret weapon, and you are seeing how he is summoned when their forces are getting overwhelmed. You learn through the game how he is being controlled by them and eventually how he breaks free of their control. It is not a terrible story, but it feels like a missed opportunity not to expand on the lore in a substantial way. At the same time, I did not expect to be an HBO drama, and if it was too earnest it would detract from it. Ultimately, The Dark Ages could turn off hardcore Doom fans who see it as too much of a departure from Eternal. However, if you come in with an open mind, you will find another great entry in a series that is constantly evolving while still honouring its considerable lineage. Our score: 8/10
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Doom The Dark Ages is my favorite kind of nightmare — this is how it runs on an RTX 5090 gaming laptop
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. I got the chance to jump into Doom: The Dark Ages on an RTX 5090 gaming laptop, and let me tell you, it feels good blasting away demons in this high-fidelity, beautiful nightmare. Doom: The Dark Ages is the latest entry in the Doom reboot franchise. It takes place before Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, at a time when the Slayer was bound by gods and kings to combat the forces of hell. It's like if medieval fantasy and Doom had a baby, and I love it (insert sob emoji here). I played Doom: The Dark Ages on an HP Omen Max 16 outfitted with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 24GB GPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 240Hz, OLED display. Here's how it ran. I wasted no time jumping into the hardest difficulty… Well, not the hardest. I don't have it in me to get my whole save wiped in Pandemonium or Ultra-Nightmare, so I went with regular ol' Nightmare. However, for the graphic settings, I pulled that level like Kronk all the way to Ultra Nightmare, 2560 x 1600, and that applies to all of the following tests below. Now, Nvidia's RTX 5090 and all of its RTX 50-series siblings boast DLSS 4, which is a super sampling technology that boosts visuals and performance. I've been somewhat critical of the technology due to my fear of developers relying on Multi-Frame Generation too heavily in order to optimize their performance (ahem, Monster Hunter Wilds). So naturally, the first thing I did was turn off all of that. I started tearing through demons in the Village of Khalim with the upscaler set to its default, TAA (there's no option to turn off upscaling). After Oblivion: Remastered scorned me with its sub-60 fps performance, I had my doubts that the RTX 5090 could pull through. But to Nvidia's credit, and id Software's for optimizing their game so well, I got a sweet 85 fps. Getting above 60 fps on a laptop with a 1600p display is ideal. However, I do like playing with the DLSS 4 upscaler, especially when set to DLAA, which maintains the native resolution while also enhancing the visuals. I expected the performance to be about the same as TAA or maybe better, but when I thrashed some devils with my new power gauntlet, it came back with 50 fps. It's not terrible, but it's not 60 fps. This is when I turned to Frame Generation (2x) and Multi-Frame Generation (4x). This technology uses AI to create frames for every true frame, 2x being one for one and 4x being one for three. It's pretty cool in theory, but it has its issues, like occasional fuzziness or artifacting. I didn't notice anything egregious in Doom: The Dark Ages, but you may have a different experience than I. I leapt back into the fray, doubling up on my aggression (turning on 2x FG), and I broke demon spines at 82 fps. That's a more comfortable frame rate, but I'm surprised FG couldn't push it further than TAA. But of course, cranking it up to MFG (4x), I saw a blistering 140 fps. Using DLAA provides the most optimal visuals outside of raw performance. However, if you want to make use of that high refresh rate display, set the DLSS to Ultra Performance. I bounced across the battlefield like my child when I say we're going outside, which got me a smooth 131 fps. And that's without frame generation. Popping on FG (2x) bumped me up to 178 fps. Then, meleeing my way to MFG (4x), the RTX 5090 blasted through the Omen's 240Hz display with a score of 260 fps. It's nice to see that id Software took care in optimizing the performance of Doom: The Dark Ages. Some beloved AAA games have failed to present respectable frames at max settings even on the most powerful hardware to date. Right now, id Software's minimum spec requirement for Doom: The Dark Ages is an RTX 2060 Super or AMD RX 6600 GPU. That's a little higher than I'd like it to be, but it feels honest considering the performance I got. But overall, if you're interested in getting one of the best gaming laptops, you can expect some slayer performance.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
DOOM: The Dark Ages review… This cacophony of chaos impales itself firmly as a Game of the Year contender
LIKE a beloved old pet dog, DOOM: The Ages is impossible to put down. It's a demonic drug, a hit of horrifying annihilation that makes you want more and more. Because it slays more than Taylor Swift in a glitter hat factory. 10 Care must always be taken when trying to improve a cult classic - and the original Doom rightfully belongs among the icons of gaming history. So it's a huge relief to see that idSoftware has not only been respectful in making this DOOM, they've also been really smart. But is The Dark Ages the best game since the original release? Hell yeah! 10 First off, there's a more involved plot than previous follow-ups like DOOM (2016) and 2020's DOOM: Eternal. You play the heavy-footed Doom Slayer called upon by the Night Sentinels of Argent D'Nur and the mysterious Maykrs in their battle against the dark forces of Hell. Your job? To save humanity. The Maykrs have a strange hold over the Slayer who gradually starts to think, and fight, on his own terms. Previous follow-ups to this mega franchise were decent nods to the original but they weren't truly great games. They lacked what makes a DOOM game utterly brilliant - an intense, mind-blowing run-and-gun experience which takes your breath away. Literally. The Dark Ages, however, achieves this in bundles. 10 Because you become so engrossed in dispatching the multitude of enemies spawning all around you that you forget to breathe. I lost count of the times where I finished a chapter (there are 22 to smash through), let out an exhausting breath… and noticed that I was two feet away from my gaming chair. Such is the intensity of The Dark Ages. It's not just a blast and dash game either. This time round you have to be more tactically astute in your demon-slaying ways. The sheer number of enemies that bear down on you during battle is daunting, but this just increases the adrenaline rush you get when your planned destruction works. This immersive action results in hours lost wiping the floor with growling Pinky Riders and horrible Hell Knights. 10 The arsenal is as kick-ass as it is clever. And each new weapon brings slightly different whoops of joy as you learn more about what can be achieved when you pull the trigger. For example, the Impaler is brilliant for headshots and once you get your upgrades to a certain point, it can then slow down time to get the perfect hit. 10 The Shredder can dispatch hordes of Imp Stalkers all at once and again, use your upgrades wisely, and it can auto-charge to a more destructive ammo when following a melee attack. But id Software's addition of a shield is a masterstroke - this can rip through multiple foes or deflect attacks. It's upgradable too and becomes an essential tool at your side. That is until you get the ball and chain - talk about an epic flail! Each chapter is gorgeous in its detail and impressive in scope. The map is easy to read and offers a clear pathway to cute collectables, gold chests and secret areas you won't want to miss in your 20+ hours of the game. 10 Even the soundtrack is gloriously DOOM-esque. A head-banging barrage of heavy metal which delights the senses when blasted through decent headsets - I couldn't help but ramp up my Turtle Beach Stealth 700s to complete the experience. It all makes for an epic romp in Hell - you won't just dip your toes in the Lake of Fire, you'll want to go skinny-dipping and plunge in head-first. 10 The Dark Ages is intense - a cacophony of chaos that impales itself firmly as a Game of the Year contender.
The Irish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
DOOM: The Dark Ages review… This cacophony of chaos impales itself firmly as a Game of the Year contender
LIKE a beloved old pet dog, DOOM: The Ages is impossible to put down. It's a demonic drug, a hit of horrifying annihilation that makes you want more and more. Because it slays more than 10 Hell hath no fury... like a Doom Slayer with loads of guns Credit: Bethesda Softworks Care must always be taken when trying to improve a cult classic - and the original Doom rightfully belongs among the icons of So it's a huge relief to see that idSoftware has not only been respectful in making this DOOM, they've also been really smart. But is The Dark Ages the best game since the original release? Hell yeah! 10 There's an impressive array of weaponry to dispatch demons with Credit: Bethesda Softworks First off, there's a more involved plot than previous follow-ups like DOOM (2016) and 2020's DOOM: Eternal. Read more Gaming News You play the heavy-footed Doom Slayer called upon by the Night Sentinels of Argent D'Nur and the mysterious Maykrs in their battle against the dark forces of Hell. Your job? To save humanity. The Maykrs have a strange hold over the Slayer who gradually starts to think, and fight, on his own terms. Previous follow-ups to this mega franchise were decent nods to the original but they weren't truly great games. They lacked what makes a DOOM game utterly brilliant - an intense, mind-blowing run-and-gun experience which takes your breath away. Literally. The Dark Ages, however, achieves this in bundles. Most read in Gaming 10 The 22 chapters are bold and intense Credit: Bethesda Softworks Because you become so engrossed in dispatching the multitude of enemies spawning all around you that you forget to breathe. I lost count of the times where I finished a chapter (there are 22 to smash through), let out an exhausting breath… and noticed that I was two feet away from my gaming chair. Such is the intensity of The Dark Ages. 10 Jumping into a giant mech suit feels like Power Rangers but, you know, better Credit: Bethesda Softworks It's not just a blast and dash game either. This time round you have to be more tactically astute in your demon-slaying ways. The sheer number of enemies that bear down on you during battle is daunting, but this just increases the adrenaline rush you get when your planned destruction works. This immersive action results in hours lost wiping the floor with growling Pinky Riders and horrible Hell Knights. 10 Plan your battles wisely as you'll need to be smart as well as sharp Credit: Bethesda Softworks The arsenal is as kick-ass as it is clever. And each new weapon brings slightly different whoops of joy as you learn more about what can be achieved when you pull the trigger. For example, the Impaler is brilliant for headshots and once you get your upgrades to a certain point, it can then slow down time to get the perfect hit. 10 Enemies vary in difficulty and there are some cool close-up melee options Credit: Bethesda Softworks The Shredder can dispatch hordes of Imp Stalkers all at once and again, use your upgrades wisely, and it can auto-charge to a more destructive ammo when following a melee attack. 10 Saving humanity has never been so exhaustively exhilarating Credit: Bethesda Softworks But id Software's addition of a shield is a masterstroke - this can rip through multiple foes or deflect attacks. It's upgradable too and becomes an essential tool at your side. That is until you get the ball and chain - talk about an epic flail! Each chapter is gorgeous in its detail and impressive in scope. The map is easy to read and offers a clear pathway to cute collectables, gold chests and secret areas you won't want to miss in your 20+ hours of the game. 10 A banging soundtrack helps immerse you in the depths of Hell Credit: Bethesda Softworks Even the soundtrack is gloriously DOOM-esque. A head-banging barrage of heavy metal which delights the senses when blasted through decent headsets - I couldn't help but ramp up my It all makes for an epic romp in Hell - you won't just dip your toes in the Lake of Fire, you'll want to go skinny-dipping and plunge in head-first. 10 A deep plot gives DOOM: The Dark Ages an extra edge over predecessors Credit: Bethesda Softworks The Dark Ages is intense - a cacophony of chaos that impales itself firmly as a Game of the Year contender. 10 A dragon! Yes, you can ride a dragon Credit: Bethesda Softworks DOOM: The Dark Ages FORMATS: PS5 (reviewed) , Xbox, PC PRICE: £69.99 PUBLISHER: Bethesda Softworks DEVELOPER: id Software RELEASE DATE: Out now AGE RATING: 18+ SCORE: 66/6 (erm, 5 out of 5)
