Having grown up as a very avid gamer from a young age, I was exposed to id Software early on, playing Wolfenstein 3D and Doom long before I probably should have, and even dabbling in a little Quake. id Software was one of the very first studios to pioneer the first-person shooter genre for all of us crazy kids to enjoy.
I loved the simplicity and straightforwardness of Wolfenstein 3D, the level design and difficulty of Doom, as well as the multiplayer aspect and level design of Quake. As I grew older, I enjoyed countless variations of Doom, from Doom 2 and Final Doom to even the ever-popular fan-made Brutal Doom. My interest waned a bit after Doom 3. I didn’t like the open-world style compared to the linear settings of previous games. I was also not a fan of Doom Eternal. But with the decision to return the franchise to its roots, I jumped at the chance to experience Doom: The Dark Ages.
Upon booting the game, I was immediately impressed with the graphics and overall feel. Starting the campaign, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it handled on PC, with fast and responsive controls and speedy but manageable gameplay. Having an RTX 4080 helped with that. After spending around an hour in the game, I can safely say the level design, the demons, the guns, the gameplay, and the way it runs are all top-notch. It was a refreshing change from what I have been accustomed to over the years, and certainly felt like a nostalgic trip down memory lane, honouring the legacy and lasting impact of the Doom games I grew up on.
While Dark Ages honours what came before, it also stands in a class of its own. It incorporates elements from the past, such as keys, keycards, pickups, and guns, but does so in a way that feels completely different and new, which is refreshing. What I’ve experienced of the story so far suggests a bold and unexpected direction too. While the original franchise had little to no dialogue, relying mostly on musical cues and grunts, this feels like a brand-new take, with engaging conversations, strategic commands, and a brilliant flow. Facing off against a 40-foot Titan at the end of the chapter was a true highlight.
In closing, after being a little sceptical of the game from the first announcement, especially after my disappointing experience with Doom Eternal, I have done a complete 180 on The Dark Ages. I can safely say it’s one of the best games I have played in 2025.
