Is ripping demons apart with a flail better than with a BFG? Let’s find out.
⚔️ A Slayer Out of Time: The Doomguy Goes Medieval
When the words “Doom” and “Dark Ages” were first uttered in the same breath, the internet collectively squinted in suspicion. Doom? Swords? Shields? What’s next, demon-slaying horseback jousts?
But then the trailer dropped—and boy, did it SLAP. 🔥
Doom: The Dark Ages throws us centuries back, not just in time, but in tone. Gone are the neon labs of Mars and the tech-heavy corridors of Hell’s space outposts. This time, we’re getting down and dirty in a gritty, medieval nightmare where cathedrals bleed, knights fall to demonic corruption, and the Doom Slayer wears a helmet that looks like it was forged in the fires of Mount Doom’s angrier cousin.
This is no gimmick. This is Doom reborn—as brutal, fast, and satisfying as ever, but now laced with the iron and fire of a time long past.
🧱 Brutal Architecture and Gothic Worldbuilding
The first thing you notice about The Dark Ages isn’t the enemies—it’s the setting. These aren’t just levels. They’re gothic death paintings you can walk through. Imagine Dark Souls’ haunting cathedrals—but with rocket launchers and more blood on the walls.
- 🏰 Giant fortresses loom in the distance, half-consumed by Hell’s invasion.
- ⛪ Forgotten temples creak under the weight of corrupted rituals.
- 🌋 Volcanoes belch ash and bone into a blood-red sky.
And while Doom’s never been about “lore first,” The Dark Ages sprinkles just enough cryptic scripture, fallen warrior journals, and demonic heralds to keep lore-lovers salivating.
Is this an alternate timeline? A prequel? A Slayer origin story? ID Software isn’t telling. But the mystery works in its favor—you don’t need a PhD in Doomology to enjoy carving through demon hordes. Just a solid mouse grip and some pent-up rage.
⚙️ New Tools of Mayhem: Flails, Shields, and Demon Horses (Oh My)
Let’s talk weaponry—because in Doom, the arsenal is half the thrill.
This time around, you’re not just a walking armory of sci-fi cannons. You’re a one-man medieval war machine, and your toys reflect that:
- 🔥 The Flail of Retribution: A heavy, chain-linked ball of destruction you can spin mid-air and slam down like Thor with anger issues. Perfect for crowd control and skull-crushing.
- 🛡 The Shield Saw: A razor-sharp shield that can be thrown Captain America–style—or used to block incoming demonic bile. Timing is everything, and nothing feels more badass than deflecting a fireball into a hellknight’s face.
- 🐴 Doomsteed: That’s right. You ride a massive, demonic steed in certain sections. Picture Mad Max on a war horse with flaming hooves and horns.
And don’t worry, classic weapons like the Super Shotgun and BFG return—reimagined to match the era. The BFG looks like it was forged by demon-smiths and blessed by fallen angels. It still melts faces—just now, it looks even more unholy doing it.
🎮 Combat: Still Fast, Still Furious, Now With Chainmail
The Doom franchise has always thrived on fluid, high-speed combat. The Dark Ages continues that legacy, but gives it a new flavor—heavier, grittier, and more visceral.
- 🤺 Melee plays a much larger role. With demons swarming in tighter corridors and fewer modern guns available, you’ll be slicing, dicing, and pulping more than ever before.
- 🔄 Combat loops are more tactical. Timing shield throws, managing stamina for heavy swings, and using verticality (yes, double jumps are still in!) all matter.
- 😈 Enemies now react more dramatically to your attacks. Hit a demon with the flail and watch them crumple like a Jenga tower. Launch them into spikes. Slam them off ledges. It’s DOOM, but with added medieval insult.
And don’t worry, the glory kills are back—and even more cinematic. From beheadings to full spinal extractions with a flaming mace, it’s medieval justice at its goriest.
😱 Enemy Design: Medieval Monsters With Modern Nightmare Fuel
Hell’s legions have gotten a wardrobe change. Gone are the sci-fi armor-plated demons of yesteryear. Now we’re facing something older, deeper, and far more occult.
- 🐗 The Wretch Boar – A demon-hog hybrid with explosive tusks and the personality of an angry truck.
- 👑 The Crownless King – A once-human monarch now possessed by Hellfire, dragging a massive scepter and commanding lesser demons like undead pawns.
- 🔥 Blight Maidens – Floating witches that scream Latin backwards and explode into swarms of locusts upon death.
These aren’t just skins—they have unique movesets, behaviors, and weaknesses. Strategy is key. Knowing when to use the flail, when to pull out the crossbow, and when to call in the Doomsteed is what separates a champion from demon chow.
🌍 The Dark Ages Isn’t Just a Skin—It’s a Soul Shift
It would’ve been easy to slap a medieval coat of paint on Doom Eternal and call it a day. But The Dark Ages does something bolder: it shifts the entire tone and rhythm of the experience.
It’s not as relentlessly fast as Eternal. There’s more breathing room. More stalking. More anticipation before the storm. This isn’t a downgrade—it’s a stylistic choice. A gothic, moody, adrenaline-filled slow burn, where moments of silence are just the calm before a flaming demon chariot crashes through a stained-glass window.
You’re not just a soldier. You’re a myth, a whispered terror among demons. You’re the medieval boogeyman.
🎧 Soundtrack: Guitars? Yes. Gregorian Chants? ALSO YES.
You thought Mick Gordon went hard on Doom Eternal? Wait till you hear The Dark Ages. Picture this:
- 🧘 Latin chanting building tension in a cathedral.
- 🥁 Drums kick in as a demonic choir rises.
- 🎸 A brutal guitar riff cuts in as you rip off a demon’s jaw.
The soundtrack is part God of War, part Doomcore, and it’s so good it deserves its own Grammy. The music doesn’t just accompany the game—it drives it.
🧪 Final Verdict: Old World, New Blood
Doom: The Dark Ages could’ve been a weird experiment. A spin-off. A curiosity.
Instead, it’s shaping up to be one of the boldest, most brilliant evolutions in the franchise’s blood-soaked history.
✅ Medieval fantasy and modern action? Nailed it.
✅ New weapons that feel ancient but play tight? Absolutely.
✅ Enemy variety, dark atmosphere, and deliciously disgusting gore? You bet.
This isn’t just “Doom but with swords.” This is Doom turned legend.
