The gates of hell have swung open once again—but this time, they’re forged in iron, fire, and ancient blood. Doom: The Dark Ages, the brutal prequel to the modern Doom reboot series, has stormed into 2025 with one clear message: rip and tear, even in the medieval era.
Developed by id Software and powered by id Tech 8, this latest entry drops the high-tech, Mars-based carnage of previous titles in favor of a gritty, armor-clad battlefield drenched in gothic horror. It’s bold. It’s bloody. And it’s beautiful.
The Premise: Before the Slayer Was a Legend
Unlike the futuristic sci-fi vibes of Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, The Dark Ages goes way back in time—this is the origin story of the Doom Slayer, told in a grim medieval fantasy setting where demons rise not from science, but from sorcery and ancient prophecy.
The Slayer isn’t a super-soldier in a BFG-powered suit. He’s a brutal warrior in skull-crushed plate armor, wielding runes, steel, and rage. Think “Doom meets Dark Souls,” with the speed and ferocity of modern FPS gameplay intact.
Weapons of Doom—Reforged
Forget plasma rifles and Argent energy. Doom: The Dark Ages equips players with:
- Shield Saw – A spinning bladed shield that can parry, shred, and return like a hellish boomerang
- Crucible Mace – A glowing blunt weapon that stuns demons in sweeping arcs
- Runic Crossbow – A mystical, multi-bolt launcher powered by demonic sigils
- Ancient Boomstick – A double-barrel shotgun forged in fire and blood (yes, you can still gib Imps with it)
The chainsaw? It’s back—but reimagined as a bone-bladed executioner’s axe.
Enemies: Hell Has New Faces
The demon horde isn’t holding back. Classic foes like Cacodemons, Hell Knights, and Mancubi return—only now with medieval-inspired redesigns. New monsters include:
- The Gaunt Scribe – A floating necromancer who reanimates slain enemies
- Flesh Giants – Towering abominations that throw chunks of molten stone
- The Hollow Priestess – A cursed spellcaster who distorts time and space around her
Boss fights in The Dark Ages are multi-phase, cinematic, and often take place in wide-open siege zones.
World Design & Exploration
Levels are massive, interconnected, and dripping with ancient atmosphere. Think:
- Crumbling fortresses overtaken by flesh-growth
- Catacombs filled with shifting traps and rune puzzles
- Towering siege engines and demonic portals
- Mountable beasts like dragon-demons and giant mechs used to storm infernal castles
Yes, that’s right—you ride a cybernetic dragon into battle. id Software wasn’t joking when they promised “Doom, but metal.”
Technical Masterpiece on Next-Gen Consoles
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC
Available on: Xbox Game Pass (Day One)
AI-Driven Combat – Enemies now coordinate, retreat, and even counter your abilities
id Tech 8 Engine – Delivers destructible environments, dynamic lighting, and blood physics so detailed they’re practically surgical
Combat Flow – Glory kills, chainsaw executions, and environmental kills are faster, gorier, and more tactical
Adaptive Audio – Soundtrack shifts in real-time based on your momentum and kill streaks
Composer Mick Gordon returns with a sludge-metal-meets-choir soundtrack that feels like a funeral march through Hell.
Final Verdict: A Medieval Masterpiece
Doom: The Dark Ages is everything we didn’t know we needed: a fast-paced, soul-shredding FPS set in a time of steel and darkness. It’s a love letter to classic Doom with a fresh, brutal twist. Whether you’re a fan of heavy metal, high-speed shooters, or hellish lore, this is a must-play for 2025.