DOOM: The Dark Ages

DOOM: The Dark Ages presents a distinct departure from its predecessors, DOOM 2016 and DOOM Eternal, introducing a unique combat system centered around the shield and parrying mechanics. While the game offers expansive, detailed environments with impressive ray-traced graphics and a varied arsenal of weapons, many players note a slower pace and less fluid movement compared to previous entries. The combat emphasizes parrying and shield usage, which some find satisfying and innovative, but others feel leads to repetitive and less challenging gameplay. The storyline, delivered through numerous cutscenes, is generally considered forgettable and overly serious, lacking the charm and engagement of earlier titles. Additional gameplay elements like mech and dragon sections receive mixed reactions, often viewed as disruptive to the core experience. Despite technical polish and a wealth of customization options, the game struggles with pacing, enemy AI, and a lack of replayability. Overall, it is a solid game that experiments with new ideas but falls short of the franchise's high standards.

Highlights

Players praise the game's innovative shield and parry combat mechanics, which add depth and satisfaction to encounters. The graphics, enhanced by ray tracing, are widely regarded as impressive, creating detailed and atmospheric environments. The weapon variety and upgrade system encourage experimentation, with standout weapons like the Super Shotgun and Ravager. The level design, especially the Lovecraftian-inspired Cosmic Realm, offers memorable exploration moments. The game also features extensive accessibility and difficulty customization, allowing players to tailor their experience. Fans appreciate the game's scale and the engaging rhythm once the mechanics are mastered, highlighting the satisfying flow of combat and the epic feel of the setting.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the slow and repetitive gameplay pace caused by frequent slow-motion effects during parries and melee attacks, which disrupt the adrenaline-fueled flow typical of DOOM games. The enemy AI is often described as poor, with many foes standing still or exhibiting minimal aggression, reducing challenge and engagement. The mech and dragon segments are frequently labeled as clunky and uninteresting distractions. The story and cutscenes are seen as overly serious and forgettable, failing to add meaningful depth. Weapon switching is slow and often unnecessary, leading to reliance on a few favored guns. The absence of glory kills and limited replay value further detract from the overall experience. Additionally, technical issues such as crashes and performance problems with ray tracing have been reported.