The modern DOOM franchise has cemented the Doom Slayer as a near-unstoppable force whose mission is simple: annihilate demons. He speaks little, acts relentlessly, and his inhuman intensity is exactly what makes DOOM: The Dark Ages so compelling.
Unlike DOOM Eternal—where the Slayer moved with balletic agility, soaring through the air before slamming back down—The Dark Ages mostly keeps him earthbound. This design choice shifts focus toward the variety of enemy attack patterns and projectiles, while introducing a brand-new defensive tool.
Since you can’t simply leap over every incoming salvo, the Slayer’s trusty shield becomes indispensable. Far from a throwaway gadget, the shield sits in his left hand at all times and is critical not only for combat but also for traversal puzzles. Early on, you’ll unlock a chainblade upgrade that lets you hurl the shield through weaker foes—and later upgrades let you decimate swarms with a single throw. Yet the shield’s crown jewel is its parry mechanic. Enemies flash green just before attacks you can deflect—and those same green projectiles can be flung back. Pull off a successful parry and your foe is stunned, opening them up for a savage counterstrike. As you progress, you can customize and enhance your parry, tailoring builds for raw damage or even shield regeneration on each successful block.
Of course, none of this works without the game’s outrageously fun arsenal. The Slayer’s weapons—super shotguns, rocket launchers, energy rifles, and more—are as over-the-top as ever. Nearly every gun gains a shield-synergy upgrade, whether that means explosive shield throws or empowered shots against parried enemies. Unlocking each new weapon tier practically begs you to dive back in and test your latest toys in the heat of battle.
Not every addition lands perfectly. The Atlan mech segments—where you pilot a giant suit to punch, dodge, and execute a finishing blow—are entertaining at first but feel lethargic compared to the core run-and-gun gameplay. Dragon-riding sections improve on speed and exploration, yet still can’t match the baseline thrill of blasting demons on foot. They’re fun detours, but optional, and the game wouldn’t miss a beat without them.
Visually, the medieval theme—a mash-up of gothic castles and infernal sci-fi—offers a refreshing break from Hell’s worst or a derelict starship. While later stages do revert to more familiar hellish corridors, the new setting combined with the shield-and-parry focus gives The Dark Ages its own distinct identity.
When everything clicks—tearing through hordes of demons with brutal combos and perfectly timed parries—DOOM: The Dark Ages delivers one of the most exhilarating shooters in years. It may not maintain breakneck speed at every turn, and a few mechanics feel undercooked, but for pure, unfiltered demon-smashing action, it’s hard to beat.