Doom: The Dark Ages is an electrifying entry into the beloved franchise, expertly blending sci-fi and dark fantasy elements with fast-paced action that’s hard to put down. As a prequel to its newly christened trilogy, this game sets the stage for an epic war between alien overlords, medieval warriors, and hell’s demons.
The game’s story serves as a backdrop, driving players through 22 levels of frenzied combat and platforming challenges. The moment-to-moment gameplay is pure old-school gaming bliss, with Doom Slayer fighting off demons with firearms that drop from the sky like orbital supply capsules. New weapons enter your arsenal at every level, encouraging exploration and experimentation.
One standout feature is the Shield Saw, a new weapon introduced in Dark Ages that doubles as both a block and a tool for executing enemies or uncovering secret areas. Its parrying system rewards players with high-stakes rhythm game-style gameplay, turning the tide in brutal boss fights. The shield saw also empowers melee combat, funneling health-regenerating orbs, shields, and ammo into Doom Slayer like a vacuum.
However, the music doesn’t quite live up to the moment, struggling to amplify the game’s bedlam. Finishing Move composed the soundtrack, but it needed to be more driving force than background noise.
Despite this, Doom: The Dark Ages is an incredible entry point into the franchise that lives up to the hype. With its electrifying genre mash-up and addictive gameplay, it’s a must-play for fans of action-packed games.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/doom-the-dark-ages-review-id-bethesda-2000602758